GT, from Japan to the World

And now you are traveling around the world on a world tour?

Sugawara (field of sparsely growing cogon grassland, esp. in Nagano Prefecture)I think it's a great opportunity for me. Going abroad several times a year is an experience that ordinary students don't get to do very often, so I am thankful for that.

We went to four countries this year.In March we went to Paris and in June to the Nürburgring in Germany.

At that time, the 24 Hours of Nurburgring was being held, so I was able to watch the race, and personally, I enjoyed my experience in Germany the most.

In August, Salzburg, Austria. And Monaco in November.Unlike last year, this year's weather was unfortunate. This year, there was a talk show by the GT maestro, Lewis Hamilton, and Mr. Yamauchi, the producer of GT, and the world's top GT drivers.

Last year, there was time for a photo with Lewis Hamilton, but I was disappointed that there was no time for that this year.

Also in October, the Japan leg of the World Tour was held in Odaiba, Tokyo, and there I was reminded of this again.

Japan has great rice!(laughs) Japan is a good country after all.

Also, the venue was only 30 minutes away from the university, so I was able to take time out of my schedule to go to the university and participate in the competition.

I think it is only for students to be able to participate in such a world tour...I think it is difficult for working people to take a week long vacation four times a year, even if they can use their paid time off.

So, the "It's not every day you get a chance to go abroad like this, so go while you can!I have a feeling of "I'm a student. Well, even if I am a student, I have to go to class properly (laughs).

In my case, I would say, "There are two world championships in the second semester, so let's work hard and earn credits in the first semester!We also make adjustments such as

How do you pay for the expedition expenses when you go abroad?

Sugawara (field of sparsely growing cogon grassland, esp. in Nagano Prefecture): All expedition expenses will be paid.The players are participating by invitation.Since it is like that, we have airfare, hotel, and clothing provided. This year I was lucky enough to be able to attend all the world tours except New York.

Have you always loved cars and motorsports, too, Rico?

lycoI didn't always love cars.Father loves cars.So, ever since I was little, he used to take me with him to the car shop, and he said, "You know what?What kind of cars are there in the world?I had some knowledge that "the

I have always been a sports-loving girl, playing volleyball in elementary school, softball in middle school, track and field in high school, and a long-distance runner on the relay team in college.

Then, he graduated and moved to Tokyo.

My first involvement with motorsports was as a race queen. But the more I did it, the more I thought, "I am not a good race queen.I thought, "I'm going to have a lot of fun," and the actual race was more fun, and I got hooked on the fun of that.

After that, I stopped being a race queen and started working as a manager among the team staff, which allowed me to understand the structure of the race and the differences between each race.

As I studied them, I fell in love with motorsports even more, and this year I was given the opportunity to be an assistant MC for the PCCJ and PSCJ.

Continue to the second half of the interview...

GTsport Broadcasting Station No. 3
Wednesday, December 25, Christmas Day, 10:00 p.m.- Broadcast to air!
We'll have guests, and 13 entrants will be racing! Please watch the channel!
→directional marker or indicatorhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dO58eTEkoNo