For each child who grew up within the ’90s obsessing over Japanese automobile tradition, tales of the notorious Mid Night time Racing Staff have been unattainable to disregard.

And the way many people wished we could possibly be part of it? Admittedly, again within the day I used to be fantasising about becoming a member of the grunge band Nirvana, not an underground racing crew in Japan. However regardless of the automobile tradition bug biting me a bit later than some, the magnitude and historical past (spanning 4 many years now) of Mid Night time is as infectious now because it was all these years in the past.

It’s a really totally different story for Miyakawa-san, although. He’s one of many new technology Mid Night time members who proceed to put on the silver sticker with satisfaction, albeit with the membership’s focus now extra centered round time assault than simply avenue operating. However that doesn’t imply becoming a member of the Mid Night time ranks hasn’t been Miyakawa-san’s sole focus; it has for so long as he can bear in mind.

Impressed by different Mid Night time automobiles, together with Nanami-san’s 964 Turbo and Noguchi-san’s 996 GT3, Miyakawa-san set his sights on in the future proudly owning a Porsche and, in time, perhaps, simply perhaps, having the ability to turn into a fully-fledged member of the crew.

Porsches have all the time been a pillar of Mid Night time – even proper again to the membership’s inception – so Miyakawa-san’s alternative of a 997 GT3 over one thing turbocharged and Nissan isn’t as odd as you’d first assume.

However how precisely do you go about becoming a member of such a crew? The method nonetheless stays a protracted and arduous one; you’re not simply given your stickers and away you go. In reality, for these nonetheless of their early days, pink Mid Night time stickers are used to indicate their probationary standing earlier than changing into full membership members.

However right here’s the factor – Mid Night time has by no means been some super-mysterious membership with hidden identities. The data and folks have all the time been on the market, be it in previous magazines or by means of particular tuning homes. The membership’s code of conduct nonetheless provides hierarchy to elders who’ve put many years of their time into it, and whereas egos stay a obligatory by-product, these members are nonetheless scrutinised for a way they behave each on and off the observe.

Simply being good and well-behaved isn’t sufficient although; at first it’s good to be quick. However it’s not solely about straight line velocity. Regardless of what different sources have cited, Mid Night time’s focus has all the time been about being quick on the circuit and winding roads. A lot so in reality, that the Hakone touge was fiercely battled previously.

Having a automobile able to ridiculous velocity wasn’t all the time obligatory; having one able to sustaining excessive speeds for a very long time – and being simply as expert when the roads bought twisty – has been the actual key to success.

At this time’s Mid Night time crew are solely targeted on observe driving, with circuits like Tsukuba and Fuji Speedway the go-to spots. There’s been an inflow of latest members lately – therefore why you’ll see fairly just a few Mid Night time-stickered automobiles at varied time assault occasions now, however they keep their guidelines of conduct and recruitment identical to years passed by. There’s nonetheless a person president on the high, and Miyakawa-san knew he wanted to show his skill and dedication on and off the observe to earn a spot on the crew.

He spent just a few years tuning and racing GT-Rs, together with an R32 and R34 and peaking with a 1,000hp R35 GT-R fitted with a full dry carbon aero package. Miyakawa-san has additionally owned an AE86 Toyota Trueno and Suzuki Cappuccino for observe, in addition to a Nissan Z33. 9 years in the past he picked up the 997 GT3 and elevated his driving to a brand new stage.

The 997 actually seems the half, having be upgraded with real GT3 Cup bumpers entrance and rear, real Cup mirrors and dry carbon engine hood, one-off entrance fenders from The Verify Store and an enormous rear wing.

Whereas the three.6L engine out again stays internally inventory, it breathes freer due to an AFE air filter and Volcano exhaust manifold. The 6-speed transaxle runs an Arugos twin-plate clutch and an OS Giken Tremendous Lock LSD with GT3 Cup 4.0:1 remaining drive.

The suspension makes use of various real GT3 Cup elements, together with each entrance and rear uprights, decrease arms and hubs. JRZ Motorsports 3-way coilovers function in any respect 4 corners, as do StopTech Trophy brakes – 6-pot callipers up entrance and 4-pots out again, all fitted with Countless pads.  Lastly, the wheels – one-off, center-locks from Agio, measuring 18×9-inch and 18×12-inch with Hoosier A7 tyres in 245/40R18 and 315/30R18 entrance and rear respectively.

However in case you assume it’s the sensible chassis of the GT3, the 415hp on faucet or the mods which have opened the door for Miyakawa-san, then assume once more, since you’re solely half proper.

For years, Miyakawa-san honed his driving ability on the observe. He mapped his racing traces utilizing a DigSpice GPS tracker and timer, refining each entry and exit of each nook, and reviewing the information logs with scrutiny so as to shave tenths of seconds off his lap instances.

Lastly, the observe paid off; Miyakawa-san entered his first race – a seven-hour endurance – alongside Mid Night time seniors and positioned 2nd outright. He then went on to clock a 1:52:222 lap of Fuji Speedway, which is significantly faster than Keiichi Tsuchiya’s 2:01.18 in a Porsche 911 Carrera S (997), and sits within the high 15 submitted by Finest Motoring. For reference, Fuji’s quickest automobile lap instances are across the 1:42 mark.

After all, these are all numbers and we are able to debate the numerous components which contribute to a sure lap time. However the necessary factor to remove from that is that one thing caught the eye of the membership’s senior members and bought Miyakawa-san observed. And that particular one thing helped him earn his place within the Mid Night time Racing Staff. 

Toby Thyer
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