Having attended the Luftgekühlt Tokyo event the day before, my sensory overload was through the roof from all the insane cars I’d seen, many I never thought I’d see in my lifetime.
Yet here I am, up early and on my way to meet my good friend and fellow automotive photographer, Ken Saito. Our plan: to experience yet another amazing and unique adventure, Type7’s Rally to Magarigawa drive.
I’m an admirer of all things automotive and Japanese architecture. Having already heard quite a bit (or a lot) about the exclusive and somewhat mysterious Magarigawa Club, I knew I was in for a treat since it perfectly blends both elements I greatly revere.
I met up with Ken at 9 in the morning in Central Tokyo, where we then both hopped into his lovely Porsche 718 Spyder as we set off to meet the rest of the group joining the rally.
About an hour or so later, we arrived at the Porsche Experience Center Tokyo in Kisarazu, Chiba. It’s on the opposite side of Tokyo Bay via the Tokyo Aqualine, an engineering marvel of an underground tunnel that crosses the bay. I actually had no idea that there was a Porsche Experience Center Tokyo, so to say I was excited was an understatement.
We arrived early, but there were already a number of rare and unique cars present.
A trio of 996 generation Porsche 911’s in particular stood out, all in shades I’ve never seen before.
Of course I had to take peek inside Porsche Experience Center Tokyo. One can rent to drive various Porsche models around the track and receive expert driver training, from beginner level to advanced driving courses.
Once all the participants arrived and had finished registering, we finally set off for the drive through Chiba’s scenic countryside heading towards the southern tip of the Bōsō Peninsula to where the Magarigawa Club is situated.
After a little over an hour of twisty mountain backroads, we found ourselves at the gates of the Magarigawa Club, Japan’s members only race-track. Located in the mountains of the Minamibōsō Region of Chiba, think of it as a country club for elite car collectors and driving enthusiasts of Japan.
Once everyone was accounted for, we were let in one at a time.
The views as we entered the track were unlike anything I’d ever seen before, truly an incredible place. The sheer scale of the operations at the Magarigawa Club is impressive.
We were gathered at the starting line of the track for a parade lap. I was genuinely surprised to see the 962s there; they had been transported on trucks all the way from Tokyo, fresh from Luft Tokyo the previous day.
Some incredible cars also joined last-minute, such as this 911 GT2 RS CS 25, a commemorative car built for Manthey Racing’s 25th anniversary. It’s essentially a 991-generation GT2 RS Clubsport with an even more extreme body.
Remember that 911 Targa with gold decals from earlier? This is that owner’s matching track-only 935.
Our host Ken’s 718 Spyder is in good company here at the Magarigawa Club.
After two parade laps around the track, everyone pitted-in and gathered at the paddock for a short driver’s briefing before they were allowed back on track.
Ken and I decided to sit this one out so we could focus on taking photos.
The paddock felt more like a spa in a posh country club, with its beautiful interiors and intricate lighting.
Very rare Singer 4.0 looking right at home at the Magarigawa Club’s pit garages.
People eventually started heading out to the track in batches.
Full-send for this Gunther Werks Speedster on-track!
It was pretty cool to see this 718 GT4 RS come all the way from Hong Kong. That is dedication!
The GT2 RS CS 25 driven in anger around Magarigawa Club is truly a rare sight to behold!
As the cars went roaring past, I took a breather from the action and walked around to explore the venue. The Magarigawa Club is truly a beautiful place. Excluding the track, it has the vibe of a very upscale and exclusive mountain retreat where one can relax and recharge in Zen-like atmosphere.
I also had the opportunity to view one of the private villas you could stay at as a member. Isn’t this an amazing four car garage?
Singer was present too with their DLS and Turbo Study respectively. Between the two, the DLS is the preferred choice.
I rushed back down to the paddock when I heard the 962s’ engines start up. Up until then, I had no idea they were going out on track as well.
The Madlane 935 also joined in. It’s one of the craziest 911 builds I’ve seen so far, made even more impressive by the fact that it actually drove hard on the track.
Rally to Magarigawa was truly a pinch yourself moment. It’s already a unique experience seeing these cars such as the 962s at the Luft Tokyo event the previous day. I never thought I’d get to watch them being driven in hard around a race track, let alone at the Magarigawa Club.
As dusk set in, the track session came to a close. I put away my camera and made a conscious effort to enjoy the place a bit more with my own eyes this time, soak-up the overall experience and relish the exquisitely prepared dinner.
I spent the last few hours of my stay at the Magarigawa Club just taking it all in, because I genuinely don’t know when, or if, I’ll ever get another experience like this again. Massive thank you to Ken Saito for inviting me along. It’s been over a month now, and I’m still overwhelmed from it all.
