Hello everyone. This is Mina, the administrator of the "A Porsche Came to My House" blog, and this is the fourth installment of the interview project that started in May. This time, we interviewed Mr. Tomohiko Kimura, a car enthusiast living in Osaka, who is fascinated by circuits and leading a fulfilling car life.

Chapter1. Current Car and Car Life

1-1: About the current vehicle

What kind of car do you currently own?

Ferrari F430 racing car for the circuit.F430 ChallengeandBMW M3I have a Mazda for commuting and for the track.ND Roadster NR-AMy wife drives a car that she usually drives.Mercedes-Benz C-ClassFor my son.MINII have owned a total of five cars. I also used to own a Porsche Boxster for my wife. When I think about it, I have spent almost all of the money I earned from my hard work on cars (laughs).

I'm jealous that you have a Boxster for a wife!

The first Porsche I bought about 3 years ago was a Boxster. I have always admired the "Porsche GT3" andIn the future, I want to race on the track in a GT3."But on the other hand, I thoughtI would like to try a regular Porsche as well."I also thought that

Then one day, my wife, who had almost no interest in cars, saw the Boxster.That car is very stylish."I started to say.'If that's the way my wife talks, this is my chance to get one step closer to GT3!'So I thought (laughs) and bought a stock 981 Boxster.

What were the interior and specifications like?

The body color is white with a red top and interior. Since this car is for my wife's daily use, I have not installed any driving options such as sport chrono. However, when I drove this Boxster for the first time after delivery, I thought to myself, "This is a very nice car, but I don't have any driving options such as sport chrono.

It's a Porsche, it's a sports car."

It was a bare-bones Boxster with 270 horsepower, so even though it was slower than the 400- or 500-horsepower cars I usually drive on the track, it was a lot of fun.The light weight of the car makes it light to drive, the engine can be pulled to full use and turns around comfortably, and the steering feeling, which is unique to German cars, is excellent.I realized that Porsche is a sports car manufacturer after all.

1-2: About the circuit's attractions

Do you remember the first time you drove on a circuit?

Yes, I remember it clearly. I was very nervous before the run.'I'm scared...I could never run like this, I've come to the most ridiculously out of place place...'I thought, "I'm not going to be able to do that. But once I started running, I found that it was a lot of fun. I didn't know it could be this much fun! I wish I had learned about circuits earlier! I wish I had learned about circuits earlier!

I didn't realize it was that much fun...what is the attraction of the circuit?

After all, "It's about getting the most out of what the car can do."I think it is. I usually drive on highways, but it is different from driving on a circuit at near the limit of speed. The first time I drove a car on a circuitBMW M3."but"I didn't know it could turn at such high speeds!" I didn't know the M3 had so much potential!"I was impressed.
I experienced firsthand that the M3's true potential can only be demonstrated when driven on a race track, not just on the street.The M3 is "a sedan that looks like a wolf in sheep's clothing."That being said, it was just like that.

But I have an image that circuit driving looks scary...

That's right. But now that I've experienced circuit driving.Driving on public roads is much scarier.Nowadays, the number of people who drive on the circuit is increasing. Many of those who drive on the circuit have better driving techniques than the general public, and they follow the principles and manners of the circuit.If a person violates the etiquette, it will lead to a serious accident immediately.

On the other hand, in the city, there are all kinds of people, from beginners who have just obtained a driver's license to the elderly, as well as motorcycles and pedestrians. They are also very scary because they move in unpredictable ways.Since I started driving on the circuit, I have become more conscious of driving safely on public roads.The company has become the first in the world to be awarded a "Best in Show" prize.