Ams inc. Japan z-crazies trip recap 2011 - epic!

[Wolf@AMS]

AMS INC. MEMORIES OF JAPAN – EPIC NISSAN TOUR 2011 (ZCRAZIES)!

MOST of the pics are available on our corporate site and FACEBOOK site:

Absolute Motor Specialties Inc. (AMS INC) | Facebook

Events - MUCH MORE!

We literally had the trip of a lifetime this past November. We were invited by Mad-Mike Taylor (ZCCA LIASON to JAPAN) to attend his hand picked group to visit Japan. This tour has been a yearly endeavour since the mid-90’s. Words really cannot describe all that was experienced both from a automotive enthusiasts perspective and that of a cultural nature. The hospitality and society is one that has to be experienced first hand to really appreciate it.

OK now with what transpired on this trip! We had an action packed 11 days. The trip began with a ZFest Car Show (Japanese Z Sports Car Club) event at Nissan’s Grandrive Facility. Grandrive is where Nissan will bring media to showcase their vehicles. In addition to the invite only car show the Nissan brass allowed access to the track facility. We were given the opportunity to test drive one of two brand new 370Zs in LHD configuration on the track. In addition we had the chance to test drive a new G37 Coupe (Skyline in Japan) on the wet skidpad to see how Nissan’s traction control unit operates. We were also fortunate to have Mr. K drop in to address the crowd.

We also had visited NISMO HQ’s in Tokyo and were given a VIP a tour of their garage. Another highlight was a trip to Autech and their facility (they are responsible for the Nismo 350 and 370Z assembly and design). Here, we were also given a tour of the specialized plant along with a sneak peak at the new Nismo Z and specialty INFINITI (IPL) yet to debut. Touring Nissan’s Tochigi assembly plant was awesome as well. We saw GTR’s being assembled alongside G37’s and 370Zs. We then had a test drive on part of Tochigi’s track in a new 2012 GTR being piloted by one of Nissan’s Test Drivers.





NISSAN GTR WOT at Tochigi plant - YouTube

Another highlight was visiting Toyota’s Car Museum which is just phenomenal. We had the chance to tour their private garage as well which is not part of the regular museum. We met with one of the chief designers of the LFA as well. Our day ended there with an impromptu test drive by this chief engineer in the parking lot in a stunning red LFA!