The Parade Lap Is Finally Here!

Lately, it seems like all my articles have been about Porsche Experience Day at Fuji Speedway—but today, I’m writing about the parade lap. This program gives you the chance to drive your own car around the circuit, with places limited to 70 Porsches in honor of the brand’s 70th anniversary. Spots were assigned on a first-come, first-served basis, so we lined up before 8 a.m. The parade lap itself, however, wasn’t scheduled until 5:30 p.m., after all the day’s races had finished.

At 4:30 p.m., I headed to the designated meeting point for the briefing. Even though it was still early, almost everyone was already there waiting. I’d often heard that Porsche fans are a thoughtful, good-natured bunch—and, honestly, they really are! (ﾟ∀ﾟ)

The Driver Briefing

Participants were handed a parking-pass-like sticker and told to hang it from the rear-view mirror.

The staff took about 10 minutes to explain the key details:

・The route to the circuit entrance
・Headlights must be on while driving
・Tune your radio to 79.7 to hear the Fuji Speedway commentary
・We would complete two laps of the circuit
・After the second lap, we would exit the circuit and disperse

After the briefing, everyone headed back to their cars.

And then, just as we were about to leave, Mount Fuji finally appeared before us, after being hidden behind clouds all day!

Wow… it’s huge!

Into the Porsche and Onto the Circuit

I climbed into the car, started the engine, and switched on the headlights as instructed. First, we had to drive to the designated area and line up in three rows. Everyone was incredibly courteous, constantly making room for one another.

We formed up here and waited.

We had quite a wait—probably about 20 minutes.

Then, at last, we headed onto the circuit.

The moment we entered the circuit, I was unexpectedly moved. I’d never been someone who was desperate to drive on a track—in fact, I hadn’t been particularly interested. But the circuit was wider than any road I’d ever seen, with the grandstands stretching out before us. The atmosphere was unlike anything else, a mix of nerves and excitement.

We parked in three rows, and Porsche Japan took some photos.

“Owners, wave your flags! We’re going to take a photo—give us your best ‘Porsche is the best!’ and look like you’re having fun!”

The announcement rang out, and everyone did their best to follow along. Maybe Porsche fans are a little shy. (I’m one to talk.)

Everyone must have been excited, but no one really let loose. We just gave our flags a tentative little wave… (laughs)

Um… could you look a little more excited?

Wave those flags a bit higher!

Come on, give us “Porsche is the best!”

The parade lap can’t start until we finish!

After a few more prompts, everyone finally managed a smile and a proper wave, and the photo session was done. Next came a five-minute grid walk.

At last, it was time to drive.

And We’re Off!

Since we were there, I selected Sport Plus mode and set off!

That said, the first lap was a slow crawl as the 70 cars formed into a single line.

Gradually, we picked up speed, and before long we were tackling some pretty tight hairpins. At one point, I got carried away and went a little too fast (though, to be fair, the Panamera Turbo in Sport Plus picks up speed with barely a touch of the accelerator),

when my husband called out from beside me:

“Brake, brake!” “You’re going to run right into it if you keep going!”

I panicked a little and tried to respond while keeping the car on course.

I’d never once thought the Panamera couldn’t make a turn or felt as if it might slide sideways. But on the circuit, I could really feel the G-forces and centrifugal force—enough to make me a little nervous.

There were 90-degree turns after uphill sections, as well as sudden bends where you couldn’t see what was coming. Honestly, the racers who battle it out on a track like this at over 200 km/h are incredible.

I used to say things like, “Why didn’t they overtake there?” or “Getting passed at the perfect moment—they must have no nerve!” I’m truly sorry. I finally understand just how skilled those drivers are. I think I’ll watch racing very differently from now on.

When I remarked, “I should’ve studied the Fuji Speedway course properly before coming,” my husband said:

“Exactly! That’s why I told you. You don’t know the course, and your line through the corners is terrible—that’s why the car keeps getting thrown sideways. (-_-)”

My husband must have been terrified in the passenger seat. (Oops!) Still, being able to drive around Fuji Speedway with Mount Fuji in full view beside us… was an incredible feeling.

A Very Happy Ending

The two laps flew by. I left the circuit thinking, “What, it’s over already?! I want to do another ten laps!”

As we exited, the commentator announced, “Everyone’s using their turn signals as they leave the circuit. Porsche fans really are a courteous bunch!”

So true. (Laughs)

I loved the parade lap at Porsche Experience Day, but it was just as special to experience the warm atmosphere among the Porsche fans. I got to meet people I’d chatted with on Twitter, and made some new friends too. Everyone was so lovely, and you could feel how much they enjoyed life—and how much they loved Porsche.

I’m grateful to my husband for making this experience possible.

And for Dinner…

The parade lap wrapped up around 6:30 p.m. We started wondering what to do for dinner. We’d had a perfect view of Mount Fuji and experienced the rare thrill of driving a Porsche on a circuit—asking for anything more felt like tempting fate. So I blurted out, “A-a convenience store is fine!” We picked up boxed meals at a convenience store and ate them back at the hotel. (Laughs)

We were planning to head home today, but decided not to go and watch the 919 Hybrid Tribute run on the Hakone Turnpike. We’d already seen the 919 Hybrid Tribute up close the day before (I’ll write about that in another article), and since it’s an electric car, it makes no sound. It was also pouring in Hakone, so we figured we’d skip it.

We planned to drive around Mount Fuji before heading home today, but then a news alert came in: there had been an earthquake in Osaka. We’d better get home as soon as possible!