On Sunday, August 5, 2007, an event organized by RX-8 owners, called "RX-8 Family Day," took place at the Tsukuba circuit in Ibaraki prefecture. Masaki Yakura from Mazda's Corporate Communications and Liaison Division attended the event and made this report.
Here we are at the Tsukuba circuit in Ibaraki prefecture. You can see the well-known RX-8 Hydrogen RE waiting to welcome the visitors. We are ready to have some fun this weekend!
Look at all these RX-8s! Over one hundred have turned up from all around Japan. Of course, you didn't need to own a RX-8 to join in. The visitors numbered around 300 in total.
These ladies are showing off special silicon wristbands that commemorate the 40 years anniversary of the rotary engine. The commemorative memorabilia being worn at the event helped to strengthen the emotional bonds between all the rotary fans.
Here is one of the proudly displayed and much-loved vehicles. Mazdaspeed body kits and strut bars were very much in evidence.
Wow! They are in fact customized RX-8s, styled with some Italian flair to really stand out in a crowd. Even Ikuo Maeda, the RX-8's chief designer, couldn't help but be impressed by the stunning workmanship.
At this event too, the visitors were treated to a demonstration of the hydrogen rotary engine. Nothing but water vapor comes out of the exhaust, so it doesn't smell. Sniffing around the exhaust pipe, several people expressed their surprise, "It's true! No stink at all!" In the summer heat at the Tsukuba circuit, the demonstration helped to increase awareness of global warming and environmental issues.
"When I grow up, I will make the RX-9"
There are hundreds of messages written on the Rotary flag. I found this ambitious declaration from a 5-year old boy! You'll be the backbone of Mazda in the future!
Hidetsugu Zushi, aka Zuppy, led the live commentary at the event. His comments conveyed a lovely cool breeze around the circuit that was shimmering under the burning sun.
RX-8 engineers put on a talk show for the crowd. Here you can see Ikuo Maeda, the RX-8 chief designer, and Noboru Katabuchi, RX-8 program manager, alongside Zuppy, who hosted the show (from the left to right in the photo).
The weather was swelteringly hot!! According to the weatherman, the highest temperature of the day was 33.8 degrees Celsius. However, out on the asphalt of the Tsukuba circuit, it felt even hotter. Despite these oppressive conditions, the large crowd sat fascinated throughout the talk show. Mazda is honored to have such loyal support.
There was fierce competition among the kids at the Rock, Paper, Scissors tournament. Every budding driver was desperate to win. Some even burst into tears when they lost. This was clearly not part of the plan, so Mazda decided to give participation prizes to all the kids on site.
Some breathtaking battles also took place out on the track itself. It required a strong body and a tough mind to fight over tenths of a second in the roasting conditions.
Finally, the victorious drivers proudly mounted the podium in front of their gallant steeds for the prize giving ceremony. They promised to come back next year to defend their titles.
Everyone gathered for a final photo, brandishing their rotary wrist bands behind the commemorative flag. They were all brought together by their shared love of the rotary engine.
Sadly, the fun has to end eventually. It's time to return home and dream of racing at Tsukuba. Remember to check back soon for more rotary event reports.