After a few weeks in Tokyo, it was time for me to head to Osaka to hang out with Yasu and catch-up on all the happenings over in the Kansai region. There’s always something happening out there but I also enjoy Osaka because it feels like a second-home. Life seems almost normal when I’m out there and I’ve developed a normal routine out there, which is important to me. One of the first big things I had lined-up with Yasu was heading back to Kansai’s famed Central Circuit to check-out the Central Time Attack Challenge, a racing event that has become a regular stop for me during my winter and spring visits to Japan. This one is always a good one because I always find something new and unique to look at and this year’s was no different. I found a Honda I never thought would be a competitive time attack vehicle and also found some visitors that came from the Kanto region to compete with some of the best in this area…

I actually had a good amount of time at Central Circuit that day too so I shot some photos to go with the episode that I’ll include below. It’s like 2:20AM here in Osaka right now so let me see if I can get these all up before I knock-out at my desk inside my room at Yasu’s place…

The first car that caught my attention immediately upon entering Central Circuit in Hyogo was this EF9 from Rhythm Motors wearing a LEGO livery. I haven’t seen this one before and the livery is likely new. Looking at the quarter glass, it seems to indicate that this Civic is from Yellow Dragon, a well-known car club from out in this region. I wonder why it was on a flat-bed all weekend instead of out on the track. Something must have happened during testing the day prior which left the car strapped to a trailer…

One of the most interesting race cars I’ve likely ever seen is this GA-chassis Honda City which has gone through an extensive amount of alterations to make it into this highly-aggressive race vehicle…

I didn’t want to bother them to get them to open the hood to see what was beneath, but a glance through the hood vents revealed a B-series swap which I later found-out was a B18C powerplant…

The City is a bit on the smaller side which means it runs smaller diameter wheels as well which required some trimming of the Spoon Sports front brakes to clear…

The city is baron inside with just a single Bride seat and a fully custom dashboard with a host of electronics…

A MoTec M150 sits mounted to the passenger-side dashboard meaning that this late ’80s City has some pretty modern tech…

Some of the components from back then still do exist inside this track vehicle though, including a factory gas gauge with a broken needed…

The entire car has been widened significantly front and back with some high-radius wide over fenders. There’s a wing mounted to the roof of the City and canards throughout the front and rear of the Honda…

A glimpse inside the cockpit through the back window revealing the full cage and single Bride seat…

If the B18C swap wasn’t enough, this Honda City also has a Quaife sequential gearbox…

Lots of custom front aero on the face of this Honda City…

Suminaoya’s EF9 Civic from Hawk Auto Project representing the famed TEMPLE RACING…

One of Stan from Unparalelled’s Volk TE37V off his EF9 wrapped in Advan A050…

Mistbahn is often the one running around shooting all the coverage from race events like this in Japan but he found some time that afternoon to compete in his Honda Beat…

I can’t say I’ve ever encountered this EF9 Civic from Zerofighter before but I must admit, it is quite eye-catching. The color combo and livery makes this Civic pop and you almost can’t help but stop and stare at it…

Not much to the exterior of this EF9. Just accents sprayed in yellow to give the orange some bright contrast touches along with the addition of a pair of front canards…

There are also a pair of over fenders on the front of this Civic which allow for a much wider tire compound and wheel…

Kenneth Lau made the quick trip over from Hong Kong once again to get some laps in with his Acura Integra Type R build. No matter how many times I see this thing I always stop to take a photo of it. It’s just so aggressive and also very subtle…

A set of Jenvey individual throttle bodies shine bright and are a highlight of the K24 set-up inside his ITR…

Air jacks on the DC2 also make for quick tire changes and create an amazing aesthetic…

Fujimura Rocket Dancer R34 Skyline GTR race car is always a welcome sight to see…

Eventually I made it back over to the LEGO EF9 to see if the owner was possibly around or if I could find out more info on why it’s on the bed of a tow truck. Unfortunately, I still have yet to figure out the answer…

It was quite the welcome surprise to see the EK Civic from Garage Work being that they reside in the Kanto region. I don’t know how often cars from the Tokyo-side come over to compete on this side but it was really cool to see…

I don’t see much of this car anywhere to be honest, it doesn’t matter which region, so I found every opportunity I could to try and get some more photos of it…

The Spoon Sports brakes beneath many layers of aero parts…

Usui’s Mugen CR-X PRO.2 is one of the better-looking time attack cars that I’ve ever come across…

Just look at this incredibly simple engine bay which hosts a B16A. If you didn’t know any better you’d think this was a show car disguised as a track car but who says you can’t do both?…

The rear of the Mugen PRO.2 bumper has been cut as has the spare tire area in the trunk. It’s been completely flattened-out…

Motohiko Hamada and his Honda City finally with his wheel set-up mounted…

I discovered later that the Garage Work Civic had been absent from Central Circuit for the past six years but it still managed to make a grand comeback, running a new personal best lap time of 1:20.088, piloted by Atsushi Komiya…

An overhead view of the insanely aggressive custom front aero and bumper on the Garage Work Civic…

The Seyamax R32 Skyline GTR was also at Central Circuit for testing in preparation for this year’s Attack Tsukuba event…

Look at the size of this chassis-mounted Voltex GT wing and rear diffuser on the Seyamax 32GTR…

Zerofighter GK5 Honda Fit and EF9 Civic SiR competition vehicles…

The Zerofighter EF9 pitting for a quick tire swap…

I always enjoy capturing random photos like this because it helps to reflect the overall vibe of an event. I appreciate the fact that nothing is staged or propped-up specifically for a photo. It just exists this way…

Another Honda City, this one much more subdued in its presentation but still very stylish. Really dig the aggressive front stagger of the wheels and the cut-outs on the rear bumper. The front is also very reminiscent of a EF8 J’s bumper mixed with some elements of FEEL’S…

Stan and his Unparalleled x TEMPLE RACING EF9 and the PIAA EF9 which lost its front lip earlier in the day on the track…

The Assist Kyoto G29 BMW Z4 out for testing. This is the first G29 I’ve ever seen in a time attack capacity. If anyone can make a BMW fast though, it’s definitely Assist…

The Fujita Engineering FD3S RX-7 making its usual appearances at Central Circuit during the winter season…

One of the fastest FF Hondas in all of Japan, the ASLAN EG6 Civic, driven by Ton from TEMPLE RACING…

Not much has changed with the K24 within, just more tuning and minor adjustments to the engine. The most notable difference would probably be the custom-painted Skunk2 lightweight magnesium valve cover…

Another of the Zerofighter pair, both on Enkei RPF1 wheels…

Lau went off track during one of the run groups which required removal of the front bumper to remove all dirt and debris. The last thing he needs is something being sucked into those massive Jenvey throttle bodies…

See TEs, shoot TES, especially beat-up track-worn versions…

And to close-out this set, here are a bunch of photos of the Garage Work EK Civic after it was loaded onto a trailer. I just shot a bunch because, again, I just never know when I’ll run into this Civic again. Will it be at Attack Tsukuba later this month? I’m not sure. If it is, I’ll probably have even MORE photos of it lol…

Thanks for looking!!…