(The Iceman Cometh

(The Kimster - SMILING! WTF? Source: f1fanatic.co.uk)

Having watched the Brazilian Grand Prix race replay Wednesday morning while awaiting delivery of multiple copies of the most recent F1 and Champ Car races from Captain Kirk, I was gleefully overjoyed to watch Kimi Raikkonen UNEXPECTEDLY claim his very first F1 Driver’s World Championship!

And although you’ll possibly surmise that I’m simply jumping upon the Kimster bandwagon, I can assure you that I’ve been a zealous fan of the Iceman since first bursting upon the scene in 2001.

Although at that time I was still a reverent Michael Schumacher supporter, yet was drawn to the Iceman’s abilities as I’d done so a previous decade earlier with the arrival of a young German driver’s debut at Jordan Grand Prix during the Belgian GP weekend.

Although undoubtedly one of the best racing drivers I’ve ever seen behind the wheel, my dedication to Herr Schumacher seemed to wane in his final seasons after witnessing him break Juan Manuel Fangio’s insurmountable five Formula 1 Driver’s World Championships… As I seem to be drawn to aspiring new talents seeking to upset the apple cart of the F1 driver hierarchy.

So it was funny how I was captivated by the passing of the Finnish torch that late autumn day at Indianapolis, as Mika Hakkinen would score his very final Grand Prix victory while the rookie Raikkonen retired his Sauber upon crashing on lap two.

Recall that Kimi’s arrival in Formula 1 was greeted with much skepticism, having only contested a total of 23 car races prior to being reluctantly granted a FIA Super License under the auspices of a four race probationary period.

Peter Sauber’s defiant hiring of the young Finn also caused much unrest between his then primary backer, none other than the Barron “Deeter Majestic” (Red Bull) whom was adamant against the Kimster’s employment in favour of his “hired gun,” Enrique Bernoldi. As Barron Deeter wished to see the Sauber test driver promoted to race driver status for the upcoming season.

Yet Sauber’s decision to choose the unknown Finn over Bernoldi ultimately saw his primary sponsor (Red Bull) sell its team shares to Credit Suiss, with Bernoldi landing a race seat at Arrows Grand Prix alongside Jos “The BOSS” Verstappen…

Does anybody remember this Brazilian driver? Whose greatest achievement in F1 was holding up McLaren’s David Coulthard for over 30+ laps in the “Hunga-Boring” race.

Meanwhile Raikkonen and teammate “Quick Nick” Heidfeld gave Peter Sauber his best Constructor’s results, finishing fourth overall, while Heidfeld out qualified Raikkonen 10-7 that season. Ironically Heidfeld was a contracted Mercedes Benz driver hired out to Sauber, while the Kimster would be picked as Mika Hakkinen’s replacement at McLaren-Mercedes in 2002.

And I recall watching Kimi potentially loose the driver’s crown in his sophomore season to Herr Schumacher, who pinched the Iceman off track after he’d encountered some “slippery liquids” on track while leading, thus allowing Schumacher to capture his fifth driver’s crown upon winning at Magny Cours.

But Kimi was a quick study, as I recall seeing him perform the same cut-throat maneuver on Juan Pablo Montoya the following year at the same French track enroute to his maiden Grand Prix victory!

And as David Hobbs would claim upon an amazing bonsai qualifying lap, the Kimster NEVER lifted while hurtling into a wall of black engine smoke from the previous car’s engine going “Kablamoe!” Thus causing “Hobbo” to exclaim that Raikkonen has some seriously large attachments…

And I’d have to say one of my favourite maneuvers of the Kimster was his electrifying outside pass of Giancarlo Fisichella on the very last lap of the 2005 Japanese Grand Prix. Seeing Kimi steal the victory from a totally gutted “Fishy Fella.” This along with Raikkonen unexpectedly jumping onto a friend’s yacht in the Monaco harbour and reportedly falling off the ship later upon sipping some Don Perryton…

And the Iceman has always been quick; hell I believe he’s the quickest “shue” in formula 1… Although Lewis Hamilton, Fernando Alonso and Felipe Massa may disagree…

And upon becoming the dark horse candidate for the driver’s title with the emergence of McLaren’s “Ferdi & Louise” show, Raikkonen never gave up and scored six victories enroute to his maiden World Champion driver’s crown…

Talk about your ultimate birthday present, as the Kimster turned 28 on October 17th. With the cameras repeatedly focusing upon ex-double World Champion Mika Hakinen on hand to witness his protégé’s unbelievable triumph, makes you wonder if Kimi will invite Mika to his celebration party? Of course Hakkinen does have easy access to an unlimited supply of Johnny Walker…

Congratulations, Kimi!

Matched out!

? Funny how this title speaks volumes to me right now, as I’m still experiencing the heavy duty “Spin Cycle ‘O Jet Legg… (Doesn’t anyone wanna shed a tear for me?) Now let’s see… Japan = +17 hours. Carry the 5, subtract 3, divide by 2.125… Err, what day is it? Oh never mind!

And alas, I’ve just finished watching SPEED’s re-airing of this past weekend’s Brazilian GP, so now it’s fairly safe to wander the internets, although I’m obviously way behind over the past two weeks motorsports news… Including the interesting tidbits regarding BMW Sauber and WilliamsToyota race fuel temperatures being too low.

Previously while hangin’ about Chez Sadie Manor; Geez that seems so long ago, yet time flies by when you’re havin’ you know what? Thus while in New York I overheard SPEED’s Professor Matchett extrap-O-latin’ over his recent visit to The Glen!

During the Italian GP Friday practice session, Steve (“Professor”) Matchett chimed in while Bob Varsha was talking about Lake Como in the distance: “Speaking of rolling hills…” Over the previous weekend he’d been invited to Watkins Glen for his very first time by the Empire State & New England regions of the Ferrari Club of America. The event was superb and all of the spectators and participants there were adamant fans of Formula 1.

Matchett then confessed a new found respect for drivers while Varsha said quick get a tape recorder for David Hobbs…
(That’s why I’m saying this now…) Claiming how many hundreds of times he’d pulled, yanked and forced drivers into their six point harnesses. But when the shue was on the other foot and his friend had offered him a ride around The Glen aboard a Ferrari 360 Modena Challenge Car… And the Helmet had been affixed, he became claustrophobic… And told his friend “NO DICE!!!” I have to get out now…

To which guest host and ex-driver Townsend Bell replied that he preferred having the belts synched as tight as possible in order to feel completely secure with no flex in his movements along with feeling the carbon seat and chassis. Saying there was no better feeling to him then being strapped in!

Geez, I’d Killed for a chance to ride around Watkins Glen in that 360 Challenge car, while I guess Matchett would have never tried riding around Indy in the Sinden 2X Seater, eh?

Hey Matchett, I think Scott “Nose” Speed needs some help with his belts!

Home sweet home

Otay, so it’s the price “Juan” must pay for frolicking about the globe, as I’ve just returned from another very enjoyable trip abroad…

And did you guess where I’ve been? As I think I made it pretty obvious with all of the recent scribblings about Japan. Yep, that’s right! I’ve just visited the land of the Rising Sun with stops in Sasebo, Tokyo, Nagoya, Nagasaki and Fukuoka …

And I found it HILLARIOUS that I would be arriving home 2 hours, 40 minutes PRIOR to LEAVING Fukuoka, Japan on the SAME DAY…

Having spent the past two weeks completely devoid of ALL electronic media, I’m still unaware of the previous weekend’s race outcomes… And will try avoiding the lure ‘O ze internets in hopes of obtaining the BRA-Zillian GP & Surfers Paradise Chump Carzs races from Captain Kirk shortly?

Special thanks to my most helpful Blog Meister for manning the tiller while I was away in the Orient.

More stories to follow, as soon as I remember how to use this blast it confuzer… As my wonderful hosts in Sasebo might say, right now I’ve got two LEFT hands. As well as having lifted off from Tokyo at 1:23AM Pacific Coast time…

Which seems destined to be followed by a little Jet Lag, eh? And what the HELL! It’s even SUNNY here today, sayonara…

Super Aguri dumping Honda?

Although a little late, it was tough watching “Jense” get passed by Taku-san going uphill during the Belgian Grand Prix. Talk about how the mighty have fallen! As the Honda factory team was once again out performed by the minuscule “Super Best friends Which is tough for me since I enjoy seeing the little minnow beat up on its Big Brother, but an disappointed to see Jense struggling so mightily!

Perhaps this is why its NOT surprising that Super Aguri has announced that they have NO intentions of running the woefully anemic RA107 in 2008 guise as the teams SA08 chassis, instead focusing upon developing their own race car next season. This comes on the heels of cyberspace rumours of Honda scuttling Super Aguri’s true performance at Spa!

But wait, I thought next year was the beginning of legalized chassis cloning. Hence Honda would build four chassis for use by its two racing teams.

Meanwhile Aguri Suzuki continues looking for possible suitors to become partners of his financially struggling F1 team. With rumours claiming that prior to the Japanese Grand Prix there were four potential bidders interested in buying a portion of the team.

And although I couldn’t find any information prior to watching the Chinese Grand Prix, SPEED’s bob Varsha mentioned on two separate days that a “Mysterious”
(Chinese?) Businessman had invested substantial capital to buy shares of Super Aguri. If the rumours are correct, then perhaps an announcement will be forthcoming at the Brazilian Grand Prix?

Suzuka, 2004 (Part 3)

Sunday, 10/10

Awakening too early (5:40AM) we went back to sleep before arising @ 6AM. We hastily depart for the racetrack around 6:45AM. Turning onto the first main street leading to the circuit, I’m amazed by the amount of people walking towards the track. A few blocks later we encounter heavy traffic.
Clyde drops us off at the main entry gate around 7:20AM, where we’ll wait until he arrives from parking the van.

Once again the main entry gate is packed with people hoping to catch a glimpse of drivers or team members entering the circuit. One policeman is constantly urging pedestrians to clear the entryway. Another policeman paces in front of us, preventing cyclists from chaining their bicycles along the fence and blocking the sidewalk.

When a team van arrives, hoards of bodies rush the barricade. Cameras flashing madly as young girls scream gleefully. The popping flashbulbs create a true paparazzi effect. The traffic is so bad that some team’s members simply walk on foot into the circuit. Clyde arrives and we join the massive crowd entering the facility.

Inside the main gate a sea of bodies is moving in all directions. Clyde asks if I wish to view the Mercedes exhibit. We join the line viewing the 3 cars on display. Facing downward @ 45 degrees, Kimi Raikkonen’s race car juts towards us. The McLaren F1 show car is sandwiched by 2 “Up-Scale” Mercedes 4 door “saloons” Backing our way out of the stream of bodies we angle towards the Ferrari display.

There's another large crowd hovering about the Ferrari booth. A Ferrari F1 chassis towers horizontally above the masses mounted on a billboard as we continue walking towards the second entry gate. Shuffling through the line we flash our tickets before proceeding towards the actual ticket takers gate. Interestingly there are never any searches of backpacks, bags or personal belongings performed as we trudge forward into the actual circuit. With the massive throng of spectators it would take forever to accomplish this!

Walking inside the packed circuit for 20 minutes, we turn at a stairway leading to grassy stepped general admission seating. Unfortunately the typhoons deluge has doused the entire facility grounds. Walking through the slick and muddy grass is questionable at best.

We slither our way down the stairs and along the track fence before finding an open patch of grass seating. Under cloudy skies we arrange our plastic tarp on the muddy ground, eating breakfast at 8AM while patiently waiting for the first qualifying session. More spectators arrive oozing their way past us along the straightaway seating while safety cars circulate on track.
The racetrack’s relative serenity is broken by the barking high pitched shrill of a lone Formula One engine. At 9AM sharp the first car rolls onto the circuit to begin provisional qualifying.

Sounds of screaming RPM’s continue growing as the accelerating race car approaches the uphill portion of track directly opposite us. The sound bleeds off momentarily while the car completes the far away corners. Suddenly the shrieking red missile hurtles past us quickly accelerating to maximum RPM’s!

Disappearing as quickly as it arrived on its warm-up lap, the speeding driver prepares to start his single qualifying lap! Clyde mentions seeing a cloud of spray misting into the sky along the front straight as the Ferrari of Rubens Barrichello continues his second flying lap.

“Rubeenoe” screams past us with the Ferrari’s engine wailing at 19,000 RPM’s. Shortly after a second car blazes past on it’s warm-up lap. Its Jenson Button’s BAR-Honda, having a slightly different engine note, the Honda engine is rumoured to be exceeding 19,200 RPM’s. While “Jense” accelerates into full qualifying mode, Rubens saunters by dramatically slower on his cool down lap. Kimi Raikkonen’s McLaren Mercedes-Benz appears next on track as the single car qualifying proceeds. The twenty car grid will each complete three laps prior to inverting the order for final qualifying.

Since I only partially know the qualifying order, Clyde asks who was that. What number was it Clyde? Responding I don’t know, there TOO DAMN FAST! It was a green car. I attempt identifying the remaining chassis by colour…

Unaccustomed to running 12th, Michael Schumacher’s Ferrari appears to be much quicker then the rest of the field. After the Yellow car runs its cool down lap the sickly sounding Minardi approaches. Being the lowest budget team on the grid they soldier on with inferior equipment. Sadly the Minardi’s are running 3yr old Ford-Cosworth engines which are detuned for reliability, peaking at a lowly 17,500 RPM’s.

While the clouds start burning off during the 10 minute break between sessions a Formula One chassis passes by dangling on the end of a tow truck’s hook. Poor DC (David Coulthard) I gleefully rejoice once Clyde informs me that it’s a McLaren. With the track now ready for action, the “slowest” car takes to the circuit (Slow being a relative term for F1!) Of course the 2 Minardi’s are first, ultimately ending up some 4 seconds slower then pole position. Clyde & I continue our what colour was that routine, surprised to see a Ferrari this early in the order (15th) prior to the “heavy-hitters.”

There’s a great roar of applause as local countryman Takuma Sato completes his flying lap. Running last, Michael Schumacher scores his 63rd pole!

Afterwards Clyde & I depart in search of restrooms and explore the track. Nearing the top of the muddy crowded stairway we come to a complete stop as bodies jam every open space.
Waiting impatiently, Clyde finally forces his way through by shoving past the idly conversing Japanese unwilling to move aside.

Shortly after Clyde spots a row of “Honey-Buckets” at the bottom of a small hill, managing to slide myself down the embankment, we slop through the mud towards a long line. Standing in line opposite the honey-buckets is a row of stalls without doors. Clyde tells me, here ASSHOLE use this one.

I skeptically step into the open door booth thinking something’s really strange about this? Unzipping my fly as I prepare to go to the bathroom Clyde suddenly says; “it’s a sink!”

Trampling through the mud we rejoin the main pathway to explore the various vantage points. The path is completely swamped by hoards of spectators. Scanning the crowd I spot several black & white BAR-Honda Takuma Sato baseball caps being worn.

Walking past a series of curves we discover that every seat is taken. This year the Spoon curve is absolutely jam-packed! After trying to watch the Formula Dream race that’s been Red flagged we decide we’d better go back to our seats.

The pathway has become even more constricted with spectators forcing us to abandon the path and walk through the mud in many places.
Several times I heard people say Santa Claus as Clyde passed by…
After trying to leave the track and missing our stairway, we come to a complete halt in a sea of unmoving bodies. Uncertain of our location Clyde scurries for the first stairway that looks semi-familiar.

Once again we’re forced to shove our way down the stairs as I’m pushed forward by those behind me. I manage to only step on 3 feet while slewing my way down the muddy staircase. Trying to slither my way along the track fence line through the mud, the over-filled row of Japanese spectators nervously monitor my progress. Attempting to not step on anybody I finally fall down on one knee. Knocking over a small folding chair before Clyde instructs me to just start walking on their tarps! Nearing the end of the row Clyde discovers that we’re now at the correct stairway!

Rejoining Nellie almost 3hrs later, she asks where did we go? As all the Formula One cars complete their final warm-up laps, Nellie informs us we missed the driver parade. They’d come by on the back of a classic truck we’d seen being brought in that morning. After a brief pause, the twenty F1 cars left in unison to complete the parade lap.

The cars slowly approached in their typical zigzag swerving motion to scrub and put heat into the tires. The unique aspect of this lap was that almost every car stopped directly in front of us. The obnoxious ratchet sounds of traction control screamed in protest as tire squealing burnouts proceeded as the smell of burnt rubber wafted overhead!

Two women sit next to me with their heads covered by towels, one using her program as a shade against the now blazing sun while awaiting the start.

The scintillating sound of twenty unbridled F1 engines dizzily revving as the drivers anxiously awaited the red lights going out droned over the circuit. The banshee wail of the twenty angry hornets feverishly increased as the cars past us on the first lap. It was amazing to see that Michael Schumacher had already opened a gap on the second place car, which I incorrectly assumed was Juan Pablo Montoya. Thus the Schumacher brothers were having their own “rubber match.”

Behind Michael and Ralfanso ran a four car Japanese freight train as the two Honda’s and two Toyota’s ran in lock step, while the Ferrari and Williams continued to pull away from the rest of the field. As the sun blazed down upon us Michael Schumacher continued stretching his advantage every single lap. Once I counted a 14 second gap over second place with 21 seconds over the third place car!

Dominating the race, Clyde inquired if I wanted to go view the action from other areas? I declined, citing that I didn’t wish to fall in the mud again (prophetically spoken) as the race neared its end we decided to finally change location with Clyde helping me down to the fence line. While Clyde went back for Nellie I proceeded to land firmly on my caboose! Picking myself up, Clyde & Nellie arrived to see me clutching the fence with both hands completely covered in mud.

Unknowingly we reached the top of the stairs as the race ended with Michael Schumacher leading flag to flag! Capturing his 13th VICTORY of the season (84th career victory)

We slogged our way over to a sink where Nellie tried to wipe some of the mud off of my behind before leaving the circuit. Rejoining the overwhelming departing crowd we became engulfed in a sea of non moving bodies. And although the mammoth crowd was constantly shoving forward while trying to hasten their exit, little progress was made. We continued our slow march of being pushed along 15-20 minutes before the solitary pathway splintered into multiple paths.

After a ½ hour of walking we neared the empty ticket taker’s gate where Clyde noticed a Toyota F1 car on display. We quickly looked over the chassis surrounded by fans as a kid was having his photo taken with Clyde remarking how small the car was…

Nearing the main gate’s exit the crowd became mammoth again being forced to wait as police controlled traffic. Corralled like animals in a pen, the shoving spectator’s intensity increased before being released. Sprung like a bottled cork the massive pulsating sea of bodies overflowed onto the single four lane road scattering like crazed ants.

For several blocks we walked briskly in the road as the gauntlet of pedestrians, moped’s and motorcycles overwhelmed the slow moving traffic. While some of the masses headed for the nearby train station, we continued following Clyde’s hectic pace towards the van. Jumping in at 5PM, there was no time for me to change clothes as we needed to leave Suzuka ASAP.

Of course traffic was still horrendous as people continued streaming past the slow moving vehicle lanes. Trying to find the road out of Suzuka became quite challenging. As we lost the route sign once again, detouring onto side streets before reconnecting and noticing a huge line of traffic,

Then Clyde attempted taking the scenic route. Suddenly we ended up following a procession of vehicles driving further and further into a residential district. Retracing our steps, we drove in circles looking for any road signs with names of vaguely familiar cities.

After two hours of harried driving Clyde finally located an expressway entrance leading to Osaka, proclaiming we’re OK now!
The vans annoying warning bell chimed for the next few hours as Clyde pegged the speedometer above 140K. Wishing to get as far past Osaka as possible without getting lost in the city (last year) Clyde sailed past the city’s center via the expressway before Finally relenting for petrol and food as we exited the expressway at 10PM.

Replenishments accomplished, Clyde re-entered the expressway to click off more kilometers. With no Monkey-Davidson & empty jerry cans the three of us settled down to sleep nestled in the rear of the van in a farmer’s field around 12:30AM, approx. half way home…

Suzuka, 2004 (Part 2)

Saturday 10/09

Waking up as Yasushi prepares to go to work we go back to sleep. Waking up several times to the sound of rain, after eating we finally get up around 11AM just prior to Yasushi returning.

Clyde asks if we can take the motorcycle to his shop now. Prior to leaving Clyde spots a large rainbow coloured puddle underneath the van. Following Yasushi in the rain the vans automatic transmission begins slipping and straining to make it’s up shifts. Clyde casually says I hope we can make it to his shop?

Upon arriving we’re greeted by Yasushi’s small Pug (?) that is guarding the building while backing into the shop to unload the “Monkey-Davidson,” Turning around to park the van partially inside to get out of the rain a fresh dark circle of transmission fluid is spotted on the shop floor.

Spotting Yasushi’s “boom-box” Clyde asks if he can put CD’s in? With the tunes cranked Clyde begins jacking up the van to drain the transmission fluid before unbolting its pan.

Examining the thin gage aluminum pan Clyde discovers that along with a few cracks he’s punched a hole through it after driving over the concrete block! Trying to have Yasushi find a wrecking yard with spare parts is hopeless. Since Yasushi makes custom fiberglass parts at his shop, Clyde asks FRP?

Clyde & Yasushi proceed to clean sand and apply FRP to the pan. A heat lamp is placed underneath the pan, requiring an hour to cure. Clyde & Yasushi leave in search of transmission fluid. Finally returning, Clyde is thrilled over the tortures of trying to find fluid! As the rain turns to intermitted drizzle Clyde reinstalls the newly patched pan and adds fluid. A quick road test is made as the sun begins to come out.

With the transmission shifting harder now, we leave to find more fluid after arranging to meet Yasushi at his apartment for dinner at 8PM.

We drive around town searching for tranny fluid, finally finding a gas stand that also services automobiles. After explaining to the supervisor our dilemma, two attendants wheel out a large contraption that pumps fluid. Another 2 liters are required to bring the fluid level back to normal. While there, Clyde has the gas tank topped off along with checking the badly under inflated tires…. The supervisor wants to check the pan, but Clyde explains how Yasushi has fibre glassed it.

Leaving the station around 3:45PM, driving into bright sunlight we pass Suzuka circuito to see if anything’s happening at the track? We’re very happy staying at Yasushi’s after noticing the large influx of campers and how miserable they must have been... Of course we still have no idea of how to get to Yasushi’s. Driving around in circles Nellie tells Clyde that’s the second time we’ve passed the small shrine in the park. Lost in Suzuka,

A few hours later we end up at the Ocean…
Parking opposite the sea wall, we take a stroll along the ocean. Spotting a stairway we step over the sea wall, taking the short steps down to the beach. Walking over the soft ground I notice garbage strewn about. In front of us lays a giant mound of harvested clam shells. Clyde gets his feet wet while examining the empty shells Nellie & I scurry to escape the incoming ocean waves.

Afterwards we continue driving around Suzuka searching for Yasushi’s, finally returning around 7PM. Yasushi asks if it’s ok for his girlfriend to go to dinner with us? To which Clyde replies; As long as you drive!

Sitting in back Clyde tells Erie, I’m Clyde, this is Nellie. And pointing at me he says that’s “ASSHOLE!” Erie repeats very hesitantly, “Ass-Hole?”

Yasushi drives us to a Viking’s restaurant on the outskirts of Suzuka. In the restaurant Clyde asks Yasushi why there’s so many Spaniards. They’re Brazilians; they work at the Honda factory. (Near by Suzuka circuito) After passing the factory on the way home, Clyde & I try asking Yasushi what type of industrial complex are we passing? Oil refinery we’re told, discovering that Suzuka has a sea port.

Continuing my conversation with Yasushi, I ask him about motorcycle racing. (Yasushi races 600CC “scooters” at Suzuka) We talk about Valentino Rossi. Yasushi explains how Honda won the last round. Shortly afterwards Yasushi stops in front of his favourite store, the local Ducati dealership…

Returning to Yasushi’s we say our good by’s. Yasushi leaves with Erie to walk the dog he’s babysitting for a friend. We go to bed early in anticipation of our big day of Formula 1 ahead!

To continue reading, see: Suzuka, 2004 (Part 3)

Suzuka, 2004

Having spent the previous days traveling about the Japanese countryside with our esteemed tour guide Steve, Tanja, Alvin and I have all turned in for the evening at Steve’s rental flat in Fukuoka...

Thursday, 10/07After our morning coffee, we set off for Steve’s workplace. The walk was quite pleasant as we passed through the nearby park. The park’s lake is surrounded by a 2K padded jogging trail. There’s also room for walking/bicycling with several workout stations. Steve pointed out that the large tent/awning structures were for the homeless.

After passing a remnant of an old castle wall, we past an ancient moat now filled with plant life. Nearing the busy city, I rejoined my friend’s. (The bumps) Steve left us for breakfast at an all you can eat buffet while he ran errands with the van. As we finished breakfast seated outside, Steve pulled up. He took us to a Japanese garden. A traditional style house overlooking a small lake and nearby waterfall nestled on an isolated hectare in the center of Fukuoka. Tanya fed the multitude of quite large carp as we walked through the open-air house. After passing the waterfall, crossing the small stone footbridge we stopped to view a couple having wedding pictures taken inside the house. Dressed in traditional white kimono & black tux, our viewing was cut short by an invasion of mosquitoes. Sitting in the parking lot waiting for Steve to return, Tanya made the comment of how funny their visa’s are. We’re called Aliens… This launched Alvin am me into a “Deep” discussion about Aliens, Roswell, Area 51 and UFO’s.

Steve drove us back to get our belongings from his flat before we said our goodbyes. Giving us directions out of the city, we set off for Sasebo. After driving along the coast past Karatsu with the castle in the distance, we stopped for petrol. Later we stopped at a convenience store for drinks and make change in case we spotted the Hamburger bus.
Standing outside the store we noticed a strange smell. The pungent odor came from a man standing in front of a large metal bucket belching black smoke, as the man was busily burning the store’s gomi. Japan burns all “recyclables.” (i.e.; plastic, paper, cardboard, etc) Never finding our lunch stop we continued non-stop to Sasebo, arriving around 4PM. Tanya & Alvin walked back to Hausten-Bausch, while I prepared for the next leg of my journey. As Clyde, Nellie & I were supposedly departing for Suzuka early that evening!

Clyde & Nellie arrived at 5PM. Nellie made me lunch while Clyde drove the van to Fukuda’s to pick up a motorcycle. Clyde had promised to transport the “Monkey-Davidson” to Suzuka for Mrs. Fukuda’s son. The “Monkey-Davidson” is a Honda trail 90 with police style windshield & saddle bags making the scooter appear to be a miniature Harley.

Returning home Clyde continued loading the van for our trip, including seven 5 gallon plastic jerry cans full of petrol. While Nellie added the final provisions into the van, Clyde & I drove up to his classroom at Darby School (USN) to use the “confUZer” at 9:30PM. We finally departed for Suzuka at 11PM…

Riding shotgun I managed to stay awake for the first 2+ hours of the trip. Driving towards Fukuoka with Stevie “geetarr” Miller cranked, Clyde mentioned how he should probably move over to the right side (left lane) of the road as an oncoming car raced towards us!

After reaching Fukuoka at 12:45AM, (Can you say Groundhog Day?) Clyde ordered Nellie to take over the driving. With Clyde comatose in the rear of the van, I finally fell asleep in the front seat around 1:45AM…

Friday, 10/08
As the van came to a complete stop I awoke to the sound of rain at 4:30AM. As the overwhelming stench of gasoline permeated the inside of the van Clyde awoke, asking Nellie why she’d stopped. Because we need petrol Clyde!

Leaving Sasebo with a full tank, these fuel only fill-up’s certainly lacked the speedy precision of a RASSCAR pit stop. Opening the trunk, Clyde dragged the metal folding chair out along with two 5 gallon jerry cans. Placing 1 can on the chair alongside the gas cap, a siphon was attached and the refueling process started. This method of replenishing the thirsty Toyota Ace van enabled us to reach Suzuka…
Nellie proceeded driving until 6AM after she’d also tried driving on the wrong side of traffic in the rain. We slept for two hours before Clyde resumed his position behind the wheel.

We ran into heavy gridlock in Hiroshima. We managed to crawl a measly 3K in 40 minutes during morning rush hour traffic in the persistent rain. Tired of the melee, Clyde turned onto a relatively non traveled side road meandering up winding hills away from traffic. We slogged along the hillside roads snaking through many tunnels while searching for an entrance to an expressway.

After another rainy refueling stop it was Nellie’s turn to drive again. Driving on the expressway Nellie commented how she could barely see the vehicles in front of her as the spray from slow moving trucks was massive. The further north we drove, the more the rain intensified!

With Clyde driving as we approached our exit for Suzuka, was I supposed to turn there Nellie? Missing the exit which was at a complete stand still we preceded north. Nearing Kyoto we began talking about the numerous temples. Driving through the city passing a temple Clyde said you’d better go see a temple ASSHOLE as he pulled a U-Turn. Nellie & I hopped out and crossed the street to walk up a flight of stairs leading towards the temple.

A long corridor filled with vendors on both sides led to the entrance of the temple’s open structure. I felt slightly out of place walking around in shorts in the rain. (Must be tourists, eh?) As we quickly looked at the many adjoining portions of the temple before dashing back to the van…

Slogging our way towards Noritz we arrive at dusk. Driving through the dimly lit streets profiles of even larger temples are faintly visible. Vainly searching for roads leading to Suzuka, Clyde makes another U-Turn in front of oncoming traffic to enter an overhead causeway. Sensing that we’re going the wrong direction Clyde abandons the road and turns into a giant parking lot of a massive temple, its roof looming towards the sky.

Closed for the evening Clyde pulls alongside another building that turns out to be restrooms. Parking the van underneath the covered entryway Clyde finds a bus driver from a waiting tour bus. Asking for directions she volunteers to draw us a map while telling us you’re a long ways away…

After a final refueling in the parking lot we venture off in search of Kysu, With Clyde threatening to kick me in the “Key-Zoo!” Passing Kysu we’re now approaching the outskirts of Suzuka…Hurray, we’ve almost made it upon finding the sign for Suzuka city! Arriving at 8:30PM we drive around in the dark searching for Bronco Billie’s restaurant.

Now the tricky part! Finishing dinner we’ll need to find Yasushi’s apartment. (Mrs. Fukuda’s son) Of course Clyde doesn’t have directions for finding it. Instead we’ll just simply drive around at night searching the surrounding neighborhoods.

While the first two gas stands are of little assistance, a third gas stand attendant gives us directions towards the cho we’re looking for, as we’ve been racing up & down streets searching for Yasushi’s building.

Driving down a dark unlit road there’s a sudden “BOOM-SMASH-CLUNK!!!” As Clyde proceeds to drive the van over a concrete parking divider…
About 10 minutes later Clyde finds the apartment building! Entering! Yasushi’s 2nd floor apartment around 10PM we wearily lie down on the Spartan floor. Yasushi tells us to please make ourselves comfortable,

Clyde asks what time does Suzuka open in the morning. Yasushi replies, Suzuka Circuit is NO go, Typhoon! While in mild disbelief, Yasushi calls somebody on his cell phone for information. Circuit closed Saturday due to typhoon, Sunday only: Qualifying 0900-0950, 1000-1100. Race at 1430. (JDT) This would be the very first time in Formula 1 history that the qualifying and race would be held on a single day as we drift to sleep with the sound of steady rainfall around 10:30PM…

To continue reading, see: Suzuka, 2004 (Part 2)