911DAYS Fuji Speedway Track Day

For the past few years, my husband has been taking part in the 911DAYS Fuji Speedway Track Day held every March. The early registration for 911DAYS club members recently opened, and it seems my husband has already signed up. (If I recall correctly, last year it was fully booked before general registration even started…)

【セキ】2023年3月19日、「第11回 911DAYS富士スピードウェイ走行会」を開催します。

Applications are accepted through the ‘911DAYS Club Members’ Mori Community’.

If you’re a 911DAYS club member, please log in and apply from the link below! https://t.co/ymQ2KTRiYR#911DAYS #FujiTrackDay #ClubMemberEarlyRegistration pic.twitter.com/Hn3mM2xfv7

— porsche911days (@porsche911days) January 10, 2023

So far, my husband has participated driving a Boxster GTS (981), a 911 Cabriolet (992), and a 911 Carrera 4 GTS (991.1).

However, since I’m known as a “storm magnet,” we’ve often been hit by unseasonal heavy snow, torrential rain so thick you can barely see ahead, or other challenging weather and road conditions during the event. I always feel sorry about that. (To all participants, my apologies…)

Here’s hoping for clear skies this year…

My husband has been invited to join this track day every time by President Suga of WRP, a Porsche specialist shop in Nagoya from whom he previously purchased an air-cooled Porsche 911 (964 C2).

President Suga personally takes care of adjusting tire pressures, checking brakes, and tightening wheels on each car, so my husband feels confident and safe on the track. We are always very grateful.

By the way, my husband highly praises WRP saying:

Since buying the air-cooled Porsche, their support has been amazing. Even before delivery, they test drive the 964 to check the car’s feel and any unusual noises, then perform maintenance accordingly. They also carefully explain and suggest any additional repairs needed.
Most used car dealers I’ve experienced only do basic visual checks or just enough maintenance to pass inspection, but WRP is different.
They truly understand the passion of car enthusiasts. Their follow-up is thorough and very reasonable.

He’s not affiliated with them in any way, just genuinely impressed (no joke).

Thanks to purchasing an air-cooled Porsche, we’ve been fortunate to connect with such a wonderful shop, which is another blessing.

Like an Adult Disneyland

It’s not easy to fully unleash a Porsche’s performance on public roads.

Though I occasionally get to drive the Porsche myself (though I’ve realized I haven’t driven it at all lately…), I always feel that just driving normally doesn’t let you truly experience the joy and brilliance of Porsche’s driving dynamics.

In that sense, having the chance to push your Porsche to the limit on a circuit is a real treat for driving enthusiasts and Porsche fans alike.

Also, regarding the 911DAYS Fuji Speedway Track Day, everyone’s manners and driving skills are excellent, so my husband says it’s “really reassuring to drive here.”

Plus, for those watching rather than driving, seeing Porsches zoom down Fuji Speedway’s straight at over 200 km/h is breathtaking, and it’s thrilling to watch and hear “Wow, they sound amazing!” “How can they brake so hard and still take that hairpin curve so well after such acceleration?”

That said, driving on a circuit comes with concerns about maintenance afterward, tire tread wear, and the risk of accidents… not to mention the extra mileage just getting to the track, so it can be a tough decision.

But seeing everyone’s beaming smiles after the run makes those worries fade into the background… experiences that let you enjoy pure fun even as an adult are truly priceless.

It’s like an adult Disneyland (laughs).

By the way, my husband plans to participate this time in the 911 Carrera 4 GTS and mentioned, “Maybe I’ll try transporting it on a trailer to the circuit this year…” so (though plans might change) I hope to report on that as well.

Actually, when he asked me, “Want to drive? What do you think?” I was overwhelmed by the size of the circuit and felt my skills are way too limited. I’d probably be crawling along at 60 km/h and end up inconveniencing everyone, so I politely declined.

But someday, I hope to be able to drive my own 911 around Fuji Speedway—it would surely be so much fun. I definitely want to make that happen in a few years.