Because the solar units over the Yokohama skyline, a row of Mid Evening Membership automobiles are parked up only a few inexperienced expressway indicators from the notorious Wangan Bayshore route. Throughout the group, I spot High Secret’s Kazuhiko ‘Smoky’ Nagata and VeilSide’s Hironao Yokomaku on the primary stage, reflecting on Japan’s golden age of efficiency tuning. It’s a scene that feels barely surreal in the absolute best means.
Welcome to the inaugural Wangan Base Yokohama – Choice Avenue Evening Competition.
Hosted by Net Choice, the net dwelling of Japan’s famed Choice journal, it’s the primary automobile present at Yamashita Pier, an energetic transport hub constructed on reclaimed land within the ’50s. Tonight’s festivities centre round Shed 4 on the pier’s Western Jetty, providing panoramic views of Yokohama metropolis.
Arriving at 4pm, I picked up my media bib and handed by way of the primary gates to search out the occasion already heaving with folks. Whereas it had began at 2pm, Wangan Base Yokohama was an evening pageant that completed at 10pm, so the big early crowd shocked me given the warmth. It may solely get greater from right here.
With an occasion of this scale, it’s onerous not to attract comparisons to the Tokyo Auto Salon. The pier round Shed 4 is the same dimension to the exhibition halls of the Makuhari Messe on the other facet of Tokyo Bay.
Whereas TAS takes place within the useless of winter – typically amidst snow – Wangan Base Yokohama was hotter than an engine bay within the peak of Japan’s summer time. Aid got here as day turned to nighttime, although I hope subsequent 12 months’s occasion is scheduled for autumn.
Sure, don’t fear in the event you missed out this time; the 2025 occasion is already confirmed.
Think about Tokyo Auto Salon targeted solely on tuner automobiles, with no producers, and was held outdoor at a disused business transport pier. Add an plane hangar and meals vans, and also you’ve received Wangan Base Yokohama – Choice Avenue Evening.
There have been too many standout automobiles to element, however this 2JZ-swapped RA65 Toyota Celica convertible was a spotlight.
One other deal with was the 20-something Mid Evening Membership automobiles lined up on the gangway to the pier. When Mid Evening greets you on the door, you realize one thing particular is about to go down.
I used to be happy to see a couple of Mid Evening automobiles in particular person for the primary time. If I had to decide on a favorite, I’d fortunately take the keys to this blue FD3S Mazda RX-7. It’s not the authentic Mid Evening automobile from the mid-’90s, however a second iteration owned by the identical gentleman.
One other first-time sighting, although lengthy admired, was the Revolfe S.A.-built Z32 Nissan Fairlady. It’s styled like the iconic Air Respiration Analysis (ABR) Hosoki S130Z Fairlady, with the proprietor’s consent, in fact.
Because the solar disappeared, the golden hour turned to blue after which pitch-black evening. For about 10 minutes, the group murmured considerations: ‘Isn’t it too darkish?’ ‘I can’t see a factor.’ I shared their ideas till work lights and industrial-sized rigs have been switched on to light up the venue.
Inside Shed 4, it was extra like a typical automotive present, minus the business aptitude of Tokyo Auto Salon. Tuner cubicles from manufacturers like Tomei, High Secret, and Infinite crammed the house with merchandise and demo automobiles.
I’d say 99% of the automobiles on show have been constructed for driving, not simply appears to be like – one other potential first. Giant occasions typically give attention to automobiles that look good however haven’t seen any actual motion.
Liberty Stroll showcased their biggest hits; I believe Kato-san has earned the best to be only a little bit shiny.
I’m unsure if Wangan Base Yokohama signifies the rebirth of tuner tradition in Japan – because it by no means actually went away – however the occasion is nice information for the native scene. Net Choice put an enormous effort into it, and plan to proceed internet hosting exhibits of this calibre into the longer term so long as venues allow. This explicit location is without doubt one of the finest within the space.
On the finish of the night, the rollout was equally as spectacular because the present itself, with automobiles parading down the pier and spectators waving them off.
For those who plan to go to Japan for the automobiles, think about packing sunscreen as an alternative of a beanie and gloves. Wangan Base Yokohama – Choice Avenue Evening Competition represents a contemporary and thrilling glimpse into genuine Japanese efficiency automobile tradition, and the inaugural occasion was merely epic.Â
Toby Thyer
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tobythyer.co.uk
