A 1000hp R35, Masato Kawabata and a private touge.
Sometimes, everything just comes together perfectly.
In smoke-filled scenes that will stick to your eyelids and make your heart race as you try and sleep tonight, watch as driving mastermind Masato Kawabata ingrains himself as a drift icon of Tsuchiya proportions.
In late November last year a hill climb event held by cult car magazine Motorhead on Hakone Turnpike provided the opportunity for the D1 stalwart to ply his incredible talent on the iconic blacktop.
Normally used as a public road, the internationally famed Odawara mountain pass (previously known as Toyo Tires Turnpike) was closed with the permission of Japan’s Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport and set up as a winding, high-speed course.
Participants eagerly gathered at 4:00am, with the hill climb the first event of its kind kicking off in the darkness of the pre-dawn.
Kawabata’s extensively modified blue, silver and gold Nissan GT-R was set-up and tuned specifically for the day.
While racers in various classes powered up the toll road, Kawabata set out not to set a time, but to tackle the pass with his unique style.
Without the usual run off and escape zone comforts afforded to drivers on circuits, Kawabata unflinchingly blasted through the course with incredible pace.
As you watch the car enter the bridge, Kawabata initiates the slide in fifth gear at 215km/h.
The performance astonished even the safety staff stationed throughout the course.
The driving gave cause for Speedhunter Dino Dalle Carbonare to claim Kawabata as his new hero; redefining the concept of mountain road drifting and forever changing his perception of the red bridge, offering no mercy with an 80 metre drop on either side.
Drift on Hakone Turnpike was filmed to capture the racing experience.
Shot using GoPro cameras from various angles, the film showcases Kawabata’s ability as he left thick black stripes of Toyo Proxes up and down the toll road.
