Touge Battle - Circuit Club

[Michele]

Looks like they have one this weekend at Marulan, although I haven't found all the details yet. I can only find a single challenge between an Evo and a Civic... hardly sounds fair to me, but I don't know what's under the hood.

The concept sounds like a lot of fun.

http://wp.circuitclub.com.au/?p=532

What is a Touge Battle?

narada March 2nd, 2009

It's something that you've probably heard of and at least loosely know the rules. If you've never heard of touge you've probably never seen a Hot Version DVD, an Initial D episode or The Fast and Furious Tokyo Drift. You would probably also think that an AE86 (an 80s Corolla) is an ugly looking bomb.

So what is a touge battle? The term touge comes directly from the Japanese language meaning 'pass' and is synonymous with the tight, windy roads that carve through the Japanese mountain side. And a touge battle is well, a battle between two cars through a touge.

These battles traditionally take place in regional mountain areas on public roads, often at night when regular motorists are fast asleep. Think moonlit roads, a soft breeze blowing maple leaves across the tarmac and a tranquillity that is pierced by the sound of screeching tyres and screaming exhausts. The roads are often tight and single laned makes passing too dangerous, so the rules had to be adapted from a traditional race where 2 cars simply start side by side and see which one crosses the finish line first.

A touge battle will often start with a lead car and a chase car. Think cat and mouse. The lead car will win if it can increase the gap on the chase car significantly. If the chase car can closes the gap, then the chase car wins. If there is no difference between the two cars, then there is a draw. If any car spins out or crashes it's an automatic loss.

Now, we can't claim that we are holding Australia's first Touge Battle. There are plenty of public roads that would suit the purpose and we can't say one has never been done there. What we can say is that this is the first officially organised touge battle that is totally legal and most importantly…safe.

So why now? The opening of the Marulan Driver Training Centre has given us the perfect venue. It's a very tight track with aggressive corners and natural undulations. In short, it's a track that makes you feel like you're driving through a national park. And because the track is not designed as a race track, it does not allow safe passing through corners.

So then, what are our rules? A coin is flicked prior to the first run and the winner can choose if they would like to lead first or chase first. The chase and lead cars will rotate positions for 3 runs. Winning a run will earn 1 point, and 2 points will win the battle. Points will be judged by a panel of 3 and awarded by majority vote. The gap must have grown or contracted visibly for a judge to vote for a point. If the battle is tied after three rounds, then a sudden death battle will occur.

Simple right?

[nerm]

i really like the idea of this.. i have watch initial D and played need for speed carbon (the canyon races were just an american version on a touge batle) and have always really liked the concept

too bad im too much of a girl to actually get out and try it

Edited March 3, 2009 by Ex!$t3nZ

[Michele]

i really like the idea of this.. i have watch initial D and played need for speed carbon (the canyon races were just an american version on a touge batle) and have always really liked the concept

too bad im too much of a girl to actually get out and try it

We've got to get you out to the hillclimb before this LOL

[StinkyPoo]

Kinda cool, but i would have thought i would be fairly short for a touge type battle.

I think this track would suit a hill climb with a reverse layout.

[Tarmac-]

Apparently Marulan's a nice track with some good corners but not much of a hill.

[StinkyPoo]

I've been out there, wasn't allowed on the track . It's not steep but it is more of a hill than in the videos.

[Factory 5]

ive done a few back in victoria, in a mk1 swift gti, the thing was 600kg and 90kw at the fronts, was like a rollercoaster ride

out the back of kinglake ( that burnt down) was a few roads that featured 100km bends and straights for about 11km, the most awesome drive in my whole life

once the R30 is setup, i'd give it a whirl

[Frink]

i'd be very keen, but i dont think my car will be ready in time....

[Bullet32]

I reckon we should really get behind the new Marulan complex... When we were out there it looked like a really challenging track with tight bends and its brand new asphalt too so it would be smooth and grippy, and its not too far away.

We should contact Gary Wilmington and see if he can offer a club discount if we get 10 or more people to pay in advance for a day of driver training / good fun thrashing our cars legally.

[Michele]

I reckon we should really get behind the new Marulan complex... When we were out there it looked like a really challenging track with tight bends and its brand new asphalt too so it would be smooth and grippy, and its not too far away.

We should contact Gary Wilmington and see if he can offer a club discount if we get 10 or more people to pay in advance for a day of driver training / good fun thrashing our cars legally.

Count me in!

[N1GTR]

Its a shame the touge event wasnt something everyone could enter.

Btw guys, if you're looking to hire the facility, i wouldnt bother. Its cheaper to hire sutton rd and you get more inclusions. I think you'll all be suprised at the rental price for the day at Marulan. I was suprised, and dissapointed.

[Viper_r32]

LONG LIVE THE HACHI ROKU!!!!!!