Sports Land Yamanashi

[Demon Dave]

OK, I'm lucky enough to live about 10 minutes drive from a small RWYB circuit in the mountains. While the circuit itself isn't anything special, it's still a popular place for locals to try their skills on a short, technical circuit, where power isn't everything. I've been going there most Saturday mornings for the last 4 years or so, so I figured it was about time I started sharing some of the photos Anyways, I'll try and keep this thread updated with pics (from time to time! )

So, here are this morning's pics - today was a pretty normal day. A couple of small clubs made an appearance, and it was nice to see an NSX on the track too...Most afternoons are dominated by bikes and in the summer there are some organized events aswell.

The track. Small, on a hillside. Zero run-off if you make a mistake. It's better suited to smaller, more agile cars. It's constantly being updated, renovated and improved. Recently they're installed a spectator's watch tower, must be 4 stories high, and it gives a good view of the action.

That's all for this week.

Dave

[West]

Keep them coming! The 33 look good.

[Rezz]

Sweet Dave... I knew you weren't just twiddling your thumbs out there

Is it possible to go into the pits? Maybe chat to some drivers and see what their setups are?

[CircusMonkey]

How long is it?

Open all year?

[Demon Dave]

Justin - yep, you're free to walk around as you please. It is a small track, quite laid back in many respects.

The course is short, 1.2KM...shorter for the drift course.

Their webpage is here

In addition to the main track, they also have a dedicated R/C track, with meets and events.

They're open most days (though weekdays there is hardly anyone there, which can be good if you're lucky enough to get the track to yourself! ) and throughout the year...

[Poida]

Dave that looks the goods! Almost reminds me of the old Lakeside here in Queensland.. But smaller lol.. I'll be living in the yamanshi prefecture in about a weeks time.. Is it hard to get to that track? I take it they have dori meetings sometimes? Would you be keen to meet up?

[Evo_Lee]

Dave, thanks for the photos. I've heard of Yamanashi Sportsland...Short track is good though, keeps the max speed down and competitve times can be acheived for all cars and would be great for the MX-5 as you can see a few are there. If you have a high powered one car, well I'd expect you'd know how to control it.

[Demon Dave]

Poida - the track is nestled in the mountains on the northern side of Yamanashi (towards Nagano). It's not that hard to find, once you're on the right road and I can provide directions if you're interested. You'll definitely need a car to get there though. It's hard to say if they'll be any decent action on any given weekend, it varies alot.

Unfortunately I've got to work this Sat/Sun...so I won't be able to meet up....I hate work! Where abouts are you going to be living?

Troy: by far one of the fastest (and most popular) car types I see on the track are Evo's (there were a couple running last Sat). Also PM'd you!

[Informer]

Hi,

How fast can you go on the longest straight?

[Demon Dave]

That all depends on the car. While it's a small circuit, perhaps not well suited to high powered cars, it also has a short straight, that is all uphill (and a steep one at that) so you need plenty of low down power to get up it quickly.

Most of the time people are lucky to get into third gear much before braking (which can be left right till the last minute) and taking the sharp left hander....

[Demon Dave]

Briefly stopped by the track today...and discovered I'd missed out on some kinda event. There was a TV crew there, along with this:

Not sure what went of before I arrived, but there was plenty more drama to come once the bikes had gotten out of the way:

Next up was a mix of cars, including a nice hachiroku:

a couple of RX7's

a very quick Honda Beat:

and an absolute bad-a55 S14 Silvia:

And then there was the the Scooby....

10 minutes into his first session and then...SCREEEECH...BANG. Somehow he lost it on the corner....

busted radiator. The front end was totalled. Car wouldn't start. He'd also managed to spin it, wrecking the back end - you can see the rear wheel is pointing outwards. Owner didn't seem that bothered about it...Shame too - I had a look around it just before he went out. It was an absolutely minter and ran really well.

That's the trouble with SLY - the track is quite technical, and with zero run-off is totally unforgiving of mistakes. I've seen many, many an accident in the last few years and it's one of the main reasons I've not yet raced myself...

Anyways, to wrap up - they hold a Mira Cup during the summer, here are some of the "cars" lined up:

And a shot of their R/C track.

That's all folkes!

[Parag0n]

looks like you caught a glimpse of Imamuras NOS Slurping FD3S.

Shame about the subaru.

Keep the pics coming mate

[Interloper]

I'm loving this thread! keep it going

[homer2288]

good stuff..those mira's haha...lol..i wonder if they were used for parts when someone needs parts urgently..

[Ait]

Holy crap! Isn't that a rare 22B?!!?

[Laurence]

Nah that isn't a 22B, thank God!