Chapter3. Targeting Porsche GT3

3-1: Encounter with Ferrari

Oh... suddenly a Ferrari...!

Speaking of Ferrari, at that time I was more than just a GT3, I was on cloud nine. But at that time, I was just...A time when used Ferraris were falling in price significantly due to the Lehman Brothers collapse.It was a light-hearted feeling of "I want to see a Ferrari up close and personal. It all started one day when my son and I wandered into a Ferrari dealership in Kyoto with a light feeling of "I want to see a Ferrari up close and personal.

Even though I went to see the car with a light heart, the first glance at the bright red Ferrari F430 instantly grabbed my heart. Furthermore, the store owner told meSince we're here, let's start the engine!"and I was even more captivated when I heard the sound of its engine... (laughs)

I had cancelled my GT3 twice because I couldn't control my "I want a Ferrari" feeling, but when it came to Ferrari, I ordered it almost on impulse and was so impressed that I decided to buy a Ferrari.I have lost it.

Impulse purchase of a Ferrari...that's a big deal!

No, no, no! I didn't just pay for it with a plop, but with the intention of jumping off the clean water stage, I cut into my personal savings to purchase it (laughs).On the way home, my heart was racing as I drove home, thinking, "I've done a terrible thing...I still remember the

The Ferrari was delivered about two to three weeks later, and I got into the Ferrari, "my dream car that I wanted to drive at least once in my life," and the moment I started to drive, I was shocked.

"What the hell is this? A toy?" I said.

Up until now, I had been driving German cars with high quality as cars, especially BMWs, so I felt as if Italian cars were flimsy toys.

With all that horsepower, it sure is fast in a straight line, and the engine sounds as cool as F1, butDizzying when turning corners, unstable handling, fluffy luxury car ride.It seems that the

I was shocked to find out that the Ferrari I had longed to own had such a high level of performance. Well, if you say it is a matter of personal taste, that is true...but as a German car lover, I felt it was lacking in performance.

I bought it with the intention of jumping off the clean slate, but...

That's right. Furthermore, Ferrari stands out very much in the city, doesn't it?The engine sound was loud and the design was cool, so people on the street looked at me like I was crazy.I'm like, "Hey, look at me! I'm awesome! I wish I had a personality that likes to be the center of attention, but unfortunately, I am a shy type of person, and I couldn't stand the stares from people waiting for me.

And then you realize.I would quietly leave the house in the middle of the night when everyone else was asleep, start the Ferrari, and drive four or five laps on the Hanshin Expressway on my way home.One day, when I was thinking of selling my Ferrari in six months, I came across a tuning store that specialized in Ferraris.

3-2: The Tuning Shop That Changed Our Destiny

Here we go... another tuning store...!

Yes, again (laughs) this store was very circuit oriented.I bought the Ferrari of my dreams, but it's a car that doesn't run at all."When I told him, he said.

No, no, no, Mr. Kimura. You shouldn't make fun of Ferrari.

It is true that the normal Ferrari is comfortable to ride in and easy for women to drive. ButWith a little work, you realize the tremendous potential that Ferrari inherently has.It should be. In fact, a customer of our store is driving this Ferrari on the Suzuka Circuit in a minute and a half.

When I heard the time, I thought, "There's no way I can achieve such a high time in a Ferrari!" but to be honest, I was quite intrigued...'Well, please change the suspension and tires! Please make it an awesome Ferrari!"I found myself asking for a tune-up.

And then back on the circuit? ...

Yes, I have a Ferrari, but I don't want to be the center of attention in the city. I went to the trouble of buying a Ferrari, but it is not in my nature to attract attention in the city, so now I can only drive it in the middle of the night.I thought that if I was going to drive a Ferrari, the circuit was the only place I could go.Then, I went to the circuit for the first time in about five years in a Ferrari with a new suspension.

Then, I was already impressed.

What the hell! It's so fast! I was shocked, in a good way, and my view of Ferrari changed 180 degrees, and I was hooked on the circuit again.

I believe that Ferrari is a car that shines only on a circuit. Many people avoid driving a Ferrari on the track, saying, "It's a waste to drive a Ferrari on the track, the car will be damaged and scratched.Ferrari is a car that looks good on the track at the same level as PorscheI think it is.

3-3: Future Prospects

Are you still stuck in the circuit?

Yes, I am. I'm a big fan of the circuit.Every time we film the ride with a GoPro, and it's delicious to go home and have a drink while watching the video (laughs).It is a world of self-satisfaction, if you will, but it is a lot of fun.

When I was a teenager, I wanted to drive an RX-7 on a mountain pass, but that never happened. I am very happy that what I could not do in the past is now being realized on the circuit, and I always feel as if I am a boy again.

Is your goal of purchasing a Porsche GT3 still on track?

Yes!!! I bought a 911 Carrera S about 2 years ago and thought it was a versatile car that I could use for both city driving and commuting and still enjoy driving, but I ended up selling it after 10 months. I drove the 911 for only about 20 days out of 10 months...
I want to drive as hard as I can on the circuit, so if it's a Porsche, it has to be a GT3.

Lastly, what does the car mean to you? ...

Hmmm...it's difficult...It's like a source of energy for me and a partner.When I achieve my goals at work, I buy the car I want, and that gives me the motivation to go on to the next job. Even when I am having a hard time at work, the presence of a car heals me and motivates me to work hard again.A partner with you through hard times and good timesI think it is.

from the point of view of the people around you.I'm too old for the circuit. I feel like a child.You may think that I am not a good person, but that is not the case. I want to continue to feel like a boy and savor my life with my car.

Blogger Mina's impression.
Mr. Kimura was like a little boy from start to finish as he spoke. I was surprised to learn that cars have the power to enrich people's lives in such a way, and at the same time, the interview was very heartwarming. Mr. Kimura, when you buy a GT3, please give us a ride (laughs)! Thank you very much for this opportunity!