Jap Show 2025: The Recap
- Phillip Aylmer
- May 18
- 4 min read
What a phenomenal day it was at the Jap Show held at Santa Pod Raceway on Sunday, 11th May! If you're a die-hard car enthusiast like us, you know the excitement that comes from gathering with others who share your passion. The sound of roaring engines, the gleam of meticulously crafted vehicles, and the camaraderie among fellow car lovers made this day truly unforgettable.
We couldn't wait to document every moment of this vibrant celebration of Japanese automotive culture. So, grab a snack, settle in, and let us take you through the highlights of our amazing day at the Jap Show!
The Pre-Meet
As per usual for us, we host a little pre-meet to assemble our members and for us to hand out our tickets and vehicle passes to those that are on stand with us. It also gives everyone a cheeky opportunity to meet everyone before we head into one of the busiest car shows of the year! Personally, we set off at 5am to take a slow lesuirely drive to our pre-meet location where we bumped into fellow member Alex (who had the brilliant idea of staying local to the pre-meet to they didn't have to get up so early - why didn't we think of that!?) on our way to the pre-meet.
We promptly arrived for around 7am where we all stood around and socailised with everyone whilst checking out what modifications we've all made during the winter season (and the rush to get the cars ready for the event). The last few arrived at around 7:40am where we handed out the last of the remaining tickets and passes before starting up our squares to head out. We took a very nice scenic drive down to Santa Pod Raceway, where we didn't encounter any traffic until we got to the event (always expected but Santa Pods traffic system works soo well compared to other events (*cough cough* Japfest)).
The Arrival
Upon arriving at Santa Pod Raceway, we knew what area we was assigned to and made our way promptly to the Red Zone (it's our preferred zone to be in, very close to the strip and close to the trade village) to set up our club stand. We were told that our stand would be about 3 cars deep but we calculated that there wouldn't be enough room to walk around the cars if we alligned 3 rows on our stand so we opted for 2 long rows with enugh space in the middle for spectators to walk through to see the cars on the second row.
It didn't take long before we all whipped out the cleaning products to polish our squares and oh boy, did the shine!
Drag Racing Madness
No Jap Show experience would be complete without constant drag racing, Jap Show offers a Run What Ya Brung (RWYB) motion for those that would like to take their cars up the strip, no limits, no restrictions! For only £45 for 3 runs, we don't think that pricing isn't that bad, we personally took our Nissan Cube up the strip against Square Society VP Emily in 2023 for our own in-house 'Battle of the Boxes'. Who knows, we might do it again when we return later in the year for Jap Show Finale.
There was a fair few tasty cars heading up the strip but nothing compares to the demonstration of the jet-powered drag car roaring up the strip at over 200mph, that is one sound you'll never forget!
Show and Shine
One of the main highlights at Jap Show is the "Show and Shine" stand/competition, and this year was no exception! As we wandered through rows of immaculate vehicles, we was thrilled to see that a fellow member made it into Show And Shine! Safe to say there was certainly an array of crystal clean modified Jap cars.
Live Action Arena
It was great to see that Baggsy and Team Maximum Lock make a return to Jap Show, it's always great seeing their demonstrations, such perfection that's timed down to the last milisecond.
In between races, I made my way to the drift zone, where skilled drivers performed awe-inspiring tricks, drifting around cones and executing breathtaking maneuvers. The roar of engines and the screeching of tires fueled my excitement.
One driver, who was particularly captivating to watch, demonstrated the perfect slide through a series of tight corners, leaving a trail of tire smoke in his wake. After his run, he took the time to share tips with fans, encouraging aspiring drifters to practice and perfect their techniques, emphasizing the importance of patience and control.
Community and Camaraderie
At the heart of the Jap Show was the vibrant community. Engaging conversations with fellow enthusiasts were the highlight of our day. It's always great chatting to spectators and future Square Society memebers as well as chatting to toher enthusiasts about their builds and plans for the future. It's things like this that we absolutely love about Jap Show, everyone always seems so talkative and attentive.
Final Thoughts
Reflecting on the day, we feel a profound sense of joy and inspiration. Jap Show at Santa Pod Raceway was not just an event; it was a celebration of a culture that unites us all. It was thrilling to reconnect with old friends, make new acquaintances, and appreciate the beauty of the Japanese car scene.
We're already counting the days until Jap Show Finale which is in September this year. If you're a fan of automotive culture, attending events then visiting Jap Show is a must. Whether it's drag racing, tuning, drifting, or simply enjoying stunning rides, there's truly something for everyone. The passion and dedication exhibited by fellow car enthusiasts create a unique community that makes every event unforgettable.
So, make sure to mark your calendars for the next Jap Show—let’s relive this incredible experience all over again!
Up Next: JDM Combe
You'll be able to catch us at Castle Combe Circuit for JDM Combe on Saturday 31st May!
If you're interested in attending any events with us then make sure to join our Facebook Group, this is where all the magic happens!
We'd like to take this time to thank everyone for attending Jap Show with u and a special thanks to Birgit who comes all the way from Germany for this event with us, that is some pure dedication! Special thanks to Santa Pod Raceway, Alex Jones and Ruth Burton for the photos provided.
Comments