NSX Fiesta 2000 - November 28-29

Brian, Romeo and I decided to go Japan this year to participate in the 5th annual NSX Fiesta and 10th year celebration for the production of the NSX. We had a busy vacation planned for us including a tour of the NSX factory, driving NSXs and riding along with professional Japanese Race car Drivers.

As we stepped off of the plane, we were jumping with excitement seeing as none of us have been to Japan before. Our bodies were telling us that it was 5 am, but after a 16-hour flight, we were ready to celebrate.

Our next day began @2am because our bodies were thrown off because of the time change. We walked   around Tokyo and later ate breakfast. We then waited for a couple of hours until we met with Hirofumi  Tomiyoshi. Hirofumi met us in the lobby ready to take us to the NSX factory with nothing less than a Honda Odyssey. Guus "The Flying Dutchman" Toth and his brother Alex greeted us. Hirofumi then quickly drove to the NSX factory as if he was driving his personal NSX.

As we pulled up to the NSX plant, the first thing we all spotted was a White Honda NSX Type R. While we were drooling over the Type R, Brian pointed out the newly pearl white Type S. We were all going crazy looking at unique NSXs and we were only in the parking lot. All I can remember is that I had goose bumps as I walked to the entrance of the NSX factory.

A Honda employee greeted us and escorted us up to the NSX Presentation room where we met up with 50+ other Japanese NSX owners. Honda presented the history of the NSX before we began the factory tour. Walking though the tour, we saw 8 NSXs total including a complete yellow Acura NSX #263 gear-marked for North America some time this year. The most remarkable part of the tour is that all of the new Type S are fitted with color matched carbon-fiber Recaro seats.

The NSX factory also has a new feature called the "The Refresh Program". This is when you can send your NSX back to the factory regardless of age so it can get a "face lift". You can change the color of your NSX (any color of your choice); add new leather, carpet, stitching or everything at once. Total cost for the entire refresh program is $20,000, although you can get any one item done. The cost for a paint job would be approximately $8,000.

Once we left the NSX factory, we drove to the Twin Rings Hotel in Motegi located in the North Eastern Mountains. Honda put a lot of time and effort designing this hotel and track; first class all of the way. The first night, we had dinner at a Sushi bar located in the hotel. As we were leaving going back to our rooms, Hirofumi had a small surprise for us. He went into a room and walks out with Mr. NSX himself, Mr. Uehura. At this point Guus almost passed out. Mr. Uehura is a very nice personable guy who made us feel really welcome.

We woke @ 5am to a very overcast morning. Brian and I walked outside to see over 100 NSXs in the hotel parking lot. We saw every type of NSX, every color, every body kit. If any of you have ever seen the Best Motoring Video with the 5 NSXs racing against each other, they're all there including the K&N's, Marga Hills, Phase, and Advance. We walked around the parking lot for almost two hours taking pictures and looking at every car there.

After breakfast, Hirofumi introduced us to our sponsors. We then prepared to go down to the track for the opening ceremony. Hirofumi asked me if I wanted to drive. I thought I might have misunderstood him since his English is sometimes a little broken. There was no way Hirofumi was going to let me drive his newly purchased Type R NSX with 4000 kilometers it, but I was right, next thing I know, he was handing me the keys. I was a little nervous seeing that I have never driven a right hand drive car, or that I ever drove a Type R. I soon found that it came very naturally. The most common mistake I was making was turning on the windshield wiper when I was trying to use the blinkers.

Opening ceremony was wonderful although I did not understand very much. We did about 10 laps, which became very difficult with over 300 NSXs. One thing we observed is that the Japanese owners are very friendly and everyone spoke with us.

At this point, we were invited to sit down in the mid-field to enjoy a cup of coffee or juice. These gentlemen were very helpful and wanted to know all about us. As we were conversing with these gentlemen, random NSX owners would come up and ask for autographs from the gentlemen we were talking to. We soon found out that we were talking to the past and present President of HONDA. Later Mr. Uehura, head of research and development for the NSX, joined us. They asked us if we have driven on the track. Once they found out that we had not, the Honda team request 3 NSXs for us. They told us to go to paddock 19, 20, &21 and we'll find our NSXs for the day. We ran over to the garages and found a 2000 Blue Coupe NSX, a 2000 Silver Coupe NSX and yes, another Type R. (Where do they keep finding these things, we saw over 20 Type R's) The Twin Rings is a wonderful track. One thing we did notice about our NSXs is that they were electronically limited at 180km. What the *#@!*??? Why is one of the fastest production cars in the world limited to 110mph?

Later that night, we had a celebration for the 10th year anniversary of the NSX. What is amazing is that the Japanese owners sang the "Happy Birthday" song in English. I thought for sure there had to be a Japanese version. They then followed it by Stevie Wonder's hit "Happy Birthday to you!" As we exited the banquet hall, we were all SHOCKED & SURPRISED to see the 1st, number one NSX ever made.

Later Honda hosted a Bingo raffle with great prizes such as Type S rims, Tires, springs, racing suits, shirts, hats, and more. As the last prize came up, they call my number and I yelled BINGO! I was tied with another woman who also had the same number. As a side note, I found out that Japanese people solve conflict with "Rock, Paper, Scissors." We played and I won. So what did I win, Rims, Tires, oh I know, a new titanium exhaust??? I found out that I won a years supply of Japanese Coffee. Honda was nice enough to pre-ship all of the coffee at one time. Now I have four crates of coffee in my garage, but what happen to the rims?

The second day at the track was incredible. If one thinks they know how to drive a NSX, drive as a passenger with a professional Japanese driver. Sunday morning, I got to drive along with Naoki Hattori, from the Raybrig NSX team. He took me out in a Type R NSX without a limiter of course. This guy was incredible. I have never seen an NSX driven at 99.9%. I told him to go faster and we did. We were only suppose to do two laps but ended up doing four. We were drifting around corners going over 90 mph. I actually got nauseous. Brian had to sit over a can for a while until he got his marbles back.

Closing ceremony was great. As a surprise the vendors brought out the powerhouse NSXs, including the Mobil 1 NSX, Raybrig, and The Mugen NSX. They battled it out for 10 laps. I can definitely say that the Japanese NSX owners know how to have fun!

Overall we got maybe 15 hours of sleep for the week, but we wouldn't have traded it for anything. I would truly like to thank all of the Japanese owners for such a wonderful time, Honda for the great Hospitality and most of all Hirofumi Tomiyoshi. Without his help, the entire trip would not have been possible.

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