Some events remind you why you fell in love with cars in the first place.
For us, Gassed On Track at Silverstone wasn't just about the incredible machinery or the famous venue. It was about becoming part of a community.
When Japanese Car Club UK reached out and invited Akatori Works to join their club stand, we jumped at the chance. The club had just rebranded and this would be the first time everyone met up at a major event. It also felt like the perfect opportunity to give Akatori Works its first proper outing.
Meeting the Club
We met the club just outside the circuit in an empty, very wet, car park.
Although this was our first opportunity to meet Japanese Car Club UK in person, it quickly became clear why the club has built such a positive reputation. The club's founder, welcomed us onto the stand and introduced us to the rest of the members, setting the tone for what would become an excellent day.
As more cars rolled into the meeting point, the lineup grew into something special.
Parked alongside Akatori was another 1986 AW11, still in factory specification. Seeing it next to our own car made for a fascinating comparison, highlighting how Akatori's modifications had taken the classic look and made it more aggressive without losing that MR2 character. Wider tires, racing seats, sports air filter, visor strip... even the dirty and scratches added to her look.
The convoy quickly filled out with an incredible mix of Japanese icons. A stunning Honda NSX, a Toyota AE86 Trueno, a heavily modified Mazda RX-8 and a fantastic variety of other JDMs perfectly reflected what Japanese Car Club UK is all about; a passion for Japanese cars in every form.
Arriving at Silverstone
One of the moments that will stay with us was driving into Silverstone together.
Rolling beneath the famous Silverstone signage, blaring There It Go (from Fast & Furious: Tokyo Drift - very cringe, I know but why not!), crossing the bridge into the infield and arriving as one convoy made the whole day feel that bit more special. Watching people stop to photograph the line of cars before we'd even parked up was a reminder of just how much these cars are admired and bring people together.
A very rainy day
The weather couldn't have been much worse.
The rain was almost continuous from the moment we arrived, but it never seemed to dampen the atmosphere. The club stand remained busy throughout the day as people wandered between cars, shared stories and admired each other's builds before heading off to explore the rest of the event.
The Brooklands Slide competition was a crowd favourite, with drift cars turning into the corner sideways in search of the fastest entry speed. The conditions made every run unpredictable, and one ambitious 130mph attempt ended with a Ford Mustang buried in the gravel.
Later, Formula One demonstrations featuring classic Hesketh and Benetton cars echoed around the circuit, while the event arena hosted various demonstrations throughout the day. Around the paddock, traders offered everything from performance parts and detailing products to stickers, Hot Wheels and massive audio systems.
Among the hundreds of cars on display, a Toyota MR2 SW20 parked beneath the giant live screen, as though pride of the event, reminded us that no matter how many incredible cars are around, we'll always be drawn back to an MR2.
More Than a Club Stand
Although the event was packed with incredible cars, our favourite part of the day was the club stand itself.
This was the first time the full rebranded Japanese Car Club UK group had attended an event together, and there was an energy that was impossible to miss. Everyone was passionate, welcoming and genuinely excited to be there. Conversations flowed effortlessly, friendships formed quickly and every car had a story behind it.
It's easy to forget that the best part of the car scene isn't the cars.
It's the people.
A Great Day for Akatori Works
Gassed On Track also marked an important milestone for us.
Akatori arrived wearing its new Akatori Works visor strip, while our freshly produced hoodies and embroidered hats made their first public appearance. It wasn't an official launch, but it felt like the beginning of something exciting. Sharing the brand with fellow enthusiasts and seeing people connect with what we're building made the day even more rewarding.
Then came the perfect ending.
Japanese Car Club UK was awarded Best Club Stand.
For a group attending its first event together, it was a fantastic achievement and thoroughly deserved.
What a Day... What a Day
Despite the rain, Gassed On Track will be remembered as one of the highlights of our year.
Not because of the weather, the best club stand award or even the incredible cars, but because it introduced us to a community that shares the same enthusiasm and passion for Japanese motoring that inspired Akatori Works in the first place.
A huge thank you to Tobias and everyone at Japanese Car Club UK for inviting us onto the stand and making us feel so welcome from the very beginning.
We arrived as guests.
We left looking forward to the next event together.