The ninth annual All Japan Day was held on the 28th February, 2016. The show originated in 2008 as an alternative to the then (and now defunct) Auto Salon show series which placed emphasis on mega dollar show cars (predominately of Japanese origin), car club displays, commercial trade stands, dyno and audio competitions, along with the encouragement and often political hankering of winning trophies. All Japan Day was the brainchild of Kristian Appelt (Director of Iron Chef Imports) and a small team of volunteers who wanted to create a no-frills show and shine event focusing solely on the cars and their respective owner’s love for said vehicle. Unlike Auto Salon, cars are purposely not fenced off to allow spectators to get up close and personal. Car club displays are also forbidden as the event attempts to encourage owners to speak to spectators and fellow entrants about their cars.
The event is traditionally held in summer at the start of each year with Wigley Reserve at Glenelg claiming the spiritual home title. The 2016 event was no different, with temperatures reaching a warm 30 degrees C. As per previous years, all profits from the day are donated to a charity. A generous $7,500 was raised for Scleroderma Australia on the day. It’s promising to see that the show’s popularity continues to surge each year with a staggering 500+ cars entered for 2016, relative to half that figure at the inaugural event.
This extremely rare and impeccable Honda NSX-R in Formula Red is currently the only example of its breed in the country. Coincidentally, Adelaide used to be home to another NSX-R in Indy Yellow but unfortunately has been on-sold and currently resides in the UK. The global demand for not just the "R" but regular versions are astonishing with prices averaging over $100,000 for a clean example and in excess of $300,000 for an 02+ facelift NA2 NSX-R. Stay tuned for a future feature article on this Formula Red NSX-R and yes, the engine cover does have the autograph of legendary Japanese race car diver Motoharu "Gan-san" Kurosawa and the NSX’s Executive Chief Engineer, Shigeru Uehara-san on it.
Speaking of frenzied market prices, the Skyline GT-R BNR34 is another model that is rapidly becoming out of reach for most players. As the car approaches its 17 year old birthday, its reached an aged mature enough to be eligible for import into countries where it was previously blacklisted, resulting in a flock-of-birds battling it out for that single piece-of-chip situation each time an example goes up for auction in Japan. For most, the holy grail of the BNR34 series would be the Z-Tune edition released in 2005 with just 20 units made. However, the V.Spec II N1 example below could arguably take the cake. With just 18 units produced, this particular car, owned by All Japan Day’s organiser, Kristian Appelt, features an R1 spec engine. The R1 engine was built and sold by the fabled Nismo Omori Factory, who took the already impressive N1 motor and further enhanced it via a remapped R1 ECU, turbo actuators, dump pipe, intake pipe, baffled sump, air flow meters, updated injectors, cam’s and more. There are believably only two V.Spec II N1’s with an R1 spec engine in the world. Amusingly, Kristian’s N1 has been parked in the same spot each year since it made its All Japan Day debut back in 2009.
Skibeemo’s very own Integra Type R DC2 parked along side good friend, Howie’s Ralliart Colt. To the untrained eye, the Ralliart Colt may look stock on the surface but the modifications have been executed very sharply and subtly in the form of JDM RAC Version R projector-bulb-headlights, Ralliart front lip, RSR lowered springs, RDA slotted rotors, 17" XXR 527 rims, 07 RAC Recaro’s, Beatrush rear brace, Andy Forbes ECU flash, Turbosmart BOV, Ralliart exhaust shield and finished off with blacked out emblems. A pocket rocket that comfortably seats four.
GU Auto Concepts’s AirREX equipped, Liberty Walk kitted R35 GT-R. Owner and director, Goran Uzelac has become synonymous for building Liberty Walk Performance and TRA-Kyoto wide-body kitted cars. This specific car was also blessed in person by the man himself, Wataru Kato-san from Liberty Walk Performance, here in Adelaide when the car was locally unveiled in July 2015.
The afternoon sun, which arrives way too quickly on the day each year, signifies to all that the event will soon end. It is at this point where spectators and budding photographers bustle to secure a vantage point on Anzac Highway. The reason? to watch entrants delicately manoeuvre out of the small piece of decline tarmac (that separates Wigley Reserve from Anzac highway), and cruise off into the distance.
All Japan Day is a must visit event for those remotely interested in Japanese cars. The event is free for spectators and for those contemplating entering their car, the measly $20 entrant fee is often cheaper than parking in Glenelg for the day. Combined with a divine lunch at near by Marina Pier, All Japan Day consistently makes for the splendid day out.
