The popularity of motorsports in Japan may not be near the peak it reached in the Honda/Senna period, but the enduring love of motorsports in Japan persists. While the racing culture in Japan has been characterized as dangerous street and drift racing thanks to movies like Tokyo Drift, there is a real underlying interest in motorsports that may be on the rise again.
The organization that is championing racing awareness in Tokyo is called Race Fight Club (RFC K.K.), which owns an amazing set of race car simulators, consisting of triple screen displays, and a “cockpit simulator” that you climb into. Their software includes famous tracks from around the world, and depending on which track and car combination you choose, your car can truly perform and feel like a Formula One or GT race car driver.
The controls around the wheel can be set to automatic or manual, depending on your experience level. My husband was stunned by the accuracy in sight, sound, and feel of the car. He had a great time “riding around” the Suzuka Circuit and Grand Prix of Long Beach, and he is sure to make time to go back to RFC again to try other tracks.
RFC offers a free trial for first time guests, and thereafter it’s 5000 yen per person / per hour, which is a great price considering the real-life quality of their simulators. The office carries two simulators and can host small gatherings in which friends can race against each other. The office staff can speak English, Japanese, and Chinese fluently, so they will be able to help out with any questions.
Our host at RFC’s office was Shing Hung. He and everyone who works for the company are passionate about driving and just want others to be able to enjoy it. We learned some great things about the organization that race car enthusiasts in Tokyo can benefit from. These simulators provide not just a “video game”, but are actually used by professional race car drivers to practice when they don’t have access to a track. The technical director who manages the software is Hideto Yasuoka, a Japanese professional race car driver in the Super GT Series, and he ensures that all of the tracks, movement, and feel of the simulators are accurate.
RFC can also rent out their simulators for events, and include Ferrari, Louis Vuitton, Lamborghini, Tag Heuer and Porsche among their top clients. They offer complete service – delivery, set up, demonstrations, etc. For those wanting to splurge, they also sell simulators to individuals. With the price comes full service such as customization, continued software maintenance, and some driver training.
Finally, for those who want to make race car driving a full-on hobby in Tokyo, the best thing to do is to join Hideto Yasuoka’s club, MS-BOO. They organize tours to watch races in Japan and hold training sessions and events with RFC’s simulators. If you are a racing enthusiast, don’t hesitate to contact RFC. Their customer service, quality of products, and knowledge of tracks and cars will ensure that you’re training like a race car pro.
Access:
RFC (Race Fight Club) K.K.
Address: 4F Yamaki Bldg., Yoyogi 5-14-9 Shibuya-ku, Tokyo Japan 151-0053
TEL: 03-5790-5704 or 090-3137-9264
Web: www.racefightclub.com
Email: Shing Hung, shing@racefightclub.com
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