Celebrating The New 12 months With RWB

The annual RAUH-Welt Begriff New 12 months Occasion may nicely be one of the best ways to begin exploring Japanese automotive tradition throughout Tokyo Auto Salon week. I say this, as a result of it’s an occasion that anybody can take part on.

Because the final time I attended an RWB New 12 months Occasion in 2020, I’d been wanting ahead to coming again. So, once I heard that the 2023 occasion was being held at a shrine, I couldn’t maintain my pleasure in verify. Flights and accomodation have been booked; the New 12 months couldn’t come round fast sufficient for me.

In Japanese tradition, early January is a time that many households come collectively and go to shrines the place they need for a affluent, completely happy and wholesome 12 months forward. I used to be amazed that Nakai-san managed to safe such a venue for this 12 months’s RWB occasion, however it seems he’s shut associates with the custodian at Kashiwa Jinja-Shrine in Chiba, simply quarter-hour’ drive away from RWB HQ.

Main as much as the occasion, a 20-car restrict was introduced, however after seeing the placement I wasn’t so certain they’d handle to suit that quantity in. My suspicions have been confirmed on the night time, with solely 13 vehicles admitted given the sheer variety of individuals attending. I arrived early to see the vehicles roll in, which is at all times an incredible sight.

After I attended the 2020 RWB New 12 months Occasion, Nakai-san’s 997 conversion was nonetheless a prototype, so seeing just a few buyer vehicles collectively was superior. They appear superb, particularly the cabriolet model. It’s positively a brand new period of RWB shifting ahead, though it was additionally nice to see the 930, 964 and 993 RWB classics.

Whereas I noticed Nakai-san early, he disappeared to select up a particular visitor. Nobody anticipated Cody Walker to make an entrance, and that basically received the gang going.

As soon as everybody within the RWB household had arrived, speeches have been made, together with a few phrases from the shrine custodian, adopted by a Miko-mai, a Japanese conventional Shinto ritual ceremonial dance, which I’ve at all times wished to see in particular person.

As I hoped it might be, the 2023 RAUH-Welt Begriff New 12 months Occasion was a good way to begin Tokyo Auto Salon week. Simply having the ability to go to Japan once more meant the ambiance was electrifying, so I do know it’s going to be an thrilling 12 months forward.

Rick Muda
Instagram: ardskellig