Daytona and Stratos Also Compete

The term "hillclimb," unless one is a considerable automotive enthusiast in Japan, is not very familiar. While "Pikes Peak," featuring the latest monster machines, is immensely popular in America, in Europe, hillclimb events are held for historic cars, with everything from Formula machines to Group B rally cars of yesteryear racing fiercely, establishing the sport of hillclimbing as a solid genre of motorsport.

On the other hand, within Japan, it was believed to have only occurred on a private level for a very short period in the 1960s-70s. However, breaking that long silence, the "Asama Hillclimb 2012" was finally held on October 27th-28th this year.



The venue for this event, which became Japan's first authentic historic car hillclimb, was the "Cherry Park Line," a course approximately 7km long with an elevation difference of about 1,000m, ascending to Komoro's Takamine Highland. Initially, official road occupancy permits were obtained, and even unregistered pure racing cars were allowed to participate. However, due to a sudden policy change by local authorities, they were forced to share the road with regular traffic. It is also true that voices from various quarters arose, calling this the "limit of Japanese automotive culture."

A Touchstone for Japanese Automotive Culture

However, when the event actually began, the temporary paddock set up at "Asama 2000 Park" in Takamine Highland was filled with approximately 50 participating vehicles. Despite the poor conditions of rain and severe cold, the entries ranged from historic sports cars of the 1960s, pure racing cars from the 90s, to the latest super sports cars brought by sponsoring companies in response to the long-awaited hillclimb.

And yet, all participants, from private entrants to the racing drivers provided by sponsors, enjoyed the hillclimb—which should have been far from its original form due to sharing the course with general Asama mountain visitors and speed restrictions—with broad smiles.



The organizers, too, continued their efforts to entertain drivers and spectators until the very end, setting up special stages and gymkhanas on private land for racing cars that could not be driven on public roads. Before long, a sentiment emerged among all the enthusiasts present at Asama to nurture this first and only authentic hillclimb in Japan together.

The organizers and sponsoring companies are determined to continue the event in the years to come, exploring all possibilities, such as reconsidering the timing, to ensure that the "flame of hillclimbing" born in Japan is never extinguished. This event can be called a touchstone for Japanese automotive culture. As one who was present at the venue that day, I sincerely hope for the warm support of OPENERS readers.

Asama Hillclimb
http://www.asama-hillclimb.com