The biggest Japanese car show in Europe drew record crowds at its new Silverstone home, with over 20,000 visitors.
Fans of Japanese performance models flocked to the iconic race circuit to witness an incredible spectacle, filled with amazing cars and a mixture of on-track and static action, as well as a thriving trade area.
The show was always going to be busy, with more than 3,000 cars on display. The venue was extremely popular with visitors, with much better on-track action and improved facilities.
Among show-goers who made the most of the new venue were the British Drift Championship drivers, who once again held the TOYO Tires ‘Drift Kings’ competition to find the fastest and most spectacular drift driver.
But this year, rather than compete for out-and-out style and finesse, the BDC drivers elected to use the extra speed and space offered by the change of venue to work together and put on the best show they could for the eager crowds, donating the £1,000 prize money to charity.
The overall winner was Matt Carter, who stood out on the day with 107 mph on initiation to be crowned ‘Drift Kings Champion 2016’, but the spectacle was a real team effort. Marc Huxley and Paul Cheshire took second and third places respectively.
Other highlights of the packed out show included a display of 70 FD-Series Mazda RX-7s, sponsored by Essex Rotary, to mark the model’s 25th anniversary, along with the UK’s biggest ever display of Mitsubishi Evo models.
The new, more central, venue forms a significant part of Japfest’s broader expansion, as the best-known series of Japanese car events in the UK.
Full details of all the shows in the Japfest series, the cars and the various activities can be found at Japfest, or via the official Facebook page and Twitter feeds.
Anyway, roll the pictures…
