Hello everyone. This is Mina, the blog manager of "A Porsche Came to My House" blog. This time, I would like to introducePorsche Carrera Cup JapanWe interviewed Mr. TAD JUN JUN, who races in the Gentleman Class of the

(1) PCCJ, which has been competing since 2016

1. Why did you enter the PCCJ?

TAD, who has competed in the PCCJ and stood on the podium, did you always love racing?

No, it's not so much that I like racing, I'm purely a "I love Porsche.I am a "good" person. Therefore, basically, I do not participate in races other than PCCJ races. I have raced other manufacturers' racing cars in the past, but that was just for practice for "racing in a Porsche.

How did you get into driving Porsche on the circuit?

I think it was around 2006 or 2007. One of my senior Porsche enthusiasts, whom I have always taken good care of, was participating in a grass race on a circuit in a Porsche, and he invited me to join him. At that time, I went to the race in a "993RS Clubsport".At first, the feeling of "fear" was greater than the feeling of "fun.Yes.

How did you get from there to competing in the PCCJ?

Modern Porsches are so high-powered that it is impossible for them to achieve their full potential on public roads. If that's the case, why not just use a "I want to run it on a circuit.I began to think, "I'm not sure what I'm supposed to do.

In addition, "theIf you are going to drive on a circuit, it is better to drive in a racing car with higher safety performance and better protection for the driver.I thought, "I'm going to compete in the PCCJ," and began to pursue the goal of competing in the PCCJ.

Also, in the case of Porsche, technologies developed through race cars are fed back to production cars, so I was interested in the company in that sense.

And then you suddenly entered the Carrera Cup?

No, I was given a "997 Carrera Cup Car" by a senior PCCJ player and asked a current GT driver to coach me, and around 2014, I started practicing to drive on the circuit. And the following year.Supercar Racing SeriesThe team was paired with a GT driver to participate in the While participating in races and being coached by professionalsWe spent about a year learning the rules of circuit racing and how to handle race cars.

2. The depth and thrill of racing

Do you remember the first time you competed in the PCCJ?

Yes, I competed in the PCCJ Gentleman Class for the first time in 2016 with a 991 Carrera Cup car, and that's when I really felt it.

To win a race, you have to get used to driving a race car, but you also have to get used to the race itself."

Winning or losing a race depends not only on how well you drive your car, but also on your mental condition and strategy at the time. In this case, those who have more experience in racing are stronger than those who don't. I think it is important to have a good experience in the race.The reason why T.T., the senior who gave me his 997 Carrera Cup car, is so strong is because of his high level of experience.I thought at the time, "I'm not going to be able to do that.

Just being able to drive a car faster is not enough to win a race...?

Yes, I am sure that is true, but I am not sure that it is the best time. If a person is able to achieve the best time in the qualifying time... there is no doubt that he/she is capable of doing so.Setting a high time in the qualifying round" and "winning the race" are completely different.

Just because you have the best qualifying time does not necessarily mean you will win the actual race.

What is the most exciting and fun part of such a race?

After all, "want to winI think the feeling of "I'm a winner and a loser" is a motivating factor. Racing is a world of winning and losing. Boys are creatures who love competition from a young age (laughs).

Also, a race is a "battle against yourself. Of course we want to beat our rivals, but even if we don't make it to the podium in the race, we still want to win."In today's race, I was able to clear XXX," or "I discovered this issue, so let's apply it to the next race."One of the best parts of racing, I think, is the feeling of growing and stepping up one step at a time.

Is that something unique to racing that you can't experience anywhere else?

Yes...it seems to be a unique experience. The people competing in the race are usually company owners or heads of organizations. Of course, there are opportunities for challenges and growth there as well.When you are in a certain position, you often find yourself in an environment where "it's relatively easy to get your way".It is.

However, that's not how racing works.

Carrera Cup cars have exactly the same performance, weigh exactly the same, and are all in equal condition. It is not so easy to "win" in such a situation.Only a combination of various conditions, including a considerable amount of practice, a strong mentality, trust with fellow competitors, and teamwork on the day of the race, can make it to the podium.The first is that it is a very good idea to use the same type of equipment as the second.

When I started competing in the PCCJ,"There is absolutely no way I would ever get myself on the podium.I thought, "I'm going to win this race. That is how far away winning a race was for me at that time.

Then, in the summer of 2017, I made it to the podium for the first time, and I put in a fair amount of effort, and I was able toWe got over one wall.There was a sense of "I've got to do this. The feeling you get when you overcome those big obstacles and achieve your goals is priceless. I think it is an experience that is hard to find elsewhere.

That may be true...

Yes, I know. "I don't make my living from racing. It's just a game.It may be said that "I'm not a professional," but in fact, everyone is quite serious (laughs).

At my age, I no longer train myself, especially in the physical aspect. Even if you were aware of this when you were younger, as you get older, you honestly start to feel like "I've had enough. But to win a race, you have to be able to say, "No matter how old you are, you need to train both mentally and physically.There is a "There is a "There is a "There is a "There is a "There is a

And I feel that what I have gained through these experiences has certainly applied to my work and my life.

3. Rival technology and trust are key.

I don't know how he could have attacked it so close to the edge...

The only way you can fight to the very last minute in a race is to be "on the edge of your seat."PCCJ drivers all have excellent driving skills, and there is a trusting relationship between drivers.".
On the straights of the circuit, we are competing at speeds of sometimes 280 km/h, and if even one of the drivers is "notPeople who are willing to use any means necessary to win.and "People who are not accompanied by technical skillsIt is impossible to fight in extreme conditions if "the

The class we are competing in is the "gentleman's class," and it is precisely because everyone is a gentleman that we are able to fight with all our might.

Also, a driver I know recently won an endurance race in a GT-R. This is a feat made possible by his high level of technical skill and the degree to which he is able to compete in a gentleman's way. Normally, it would be impossible for a driver to win a race in a car that is almost new to him.

To all the drivers... really great...

We are not professionals, and we all have our day jobs.But I want to win because I'm going to do it.We are all pretty close in age, so it is truly a "clash of pride.

In terms of qualifying times, there are a number of cars that come in within 1/100th of a second. More to the point.We're competing for 1/1000th of a second.So.

They just all say, "How difficult it is to get on the podium.I understand firsthand what it is like to be on the podium, so when a driver other than myself stands on the podium, I congratulate him or her from the bottom of my heart. Even if I lose the race, I will still be able to say, "Those who stood on the podium this time must have worked harder and harder than I did!We can honestly admit to each other, "I'm not a fan of this.

So the drivers are not so much rivals as "rivals."comrade in armsIt's like a "I'm a friend of yours. After competing together on the race circuit, many people begin a deep relationship in private.

Why do you keep challenging yourself so much? Don't you ever say, "I've had enough of this..."?

The presence of other drivers around me is a big part of my motivation. There are people who are older than me who set much better times, and there are people who set faster times than the current GT drivers.
When I look at those people, I say, "You know what?Age doesn't matter. I can still do it too.I'm excited to be a part of it," he says.

Also, Porsche is a very high performance car, so we always feel that the performance limits are far beyond. In other words.It means there is room for more growth.It is.

The current times in the Gentleman class are in a group, but I am sure that we can still improve our times depending on our efforts. We are not professionals who earn prize money from racing, and if you call it a world of complacency, that's all there is to it...He is fighting for his very own honor.I think it is a good idea.

(2) Mr. TAD and his Porsche

1. How did you become fascinated with Porsche?

How did you become fascinated with Porsche in the first place?

I was 25 or 26 years old when I first drove a Porsche. A senior colleague of mine had a Porsche with a 3 liter engine.Air-cooled Porsche 911 "930 SCIt was.

*Image source.GARAGE CURRENT Porsche 911 (Type 930SC)

My senior said, "Would you like to try driving?" But at the time, I was not sure if I wanted to drive.It's outrageous that I get to drive my senior's Porsche.I decided to let him ride in the passenger seat. I was very shocked when he let me drive the car right away.

It's totally different from any car I've ever driven!" He said.

Anyway, I was so impressed that I decided then and there that I would definitely buy a Porsche.

Since you are of the supercar generation, have you had a longing for Porsche since you were a child?

That's right. We were the generation in the middle of the super car boom. We were more determined than today's young people to "buy the car of my dreams someday! We were more interested in the "supercars" than the young people of today.Cars have been a big part of my life.I think it's a good idea.

The car I most admired at the time was the "Porsche (German car brand)"It was.

However, until I actually grew up and bought a Porsche, I had always driven American 4WD cars and Corvettes. For me, in my twenties, Porsche was a "high peak" kind of car.It's very unreachable.You probably thought, "I'm not going to be able to do that.

However, as I mentioned earlier, when I was actually driven in my senior's Porsche, I was so impressed that I thought, "This is what a sports car is...I don't just admire it, I'd definitely buy a Porsche!I made up my mind to do it.

2. Fascinated by air-cooled Porsche

What was the first Porsche you purchased after that?

Around 1998, an air-cooled Porsche "993 Carrera S MTI bought a "new" car. It was a nearly new used car, but the price had not skyrocketed as much as today's air-cooled cars. However, I remember that I worked very hard and pushed myself to buy it, even though I was in my twenties at the time.

*Image source.Porsche 911 (Type 993) Carrera S

Why did you decide to go with the 993 Carrera S?

The timing was just right for the 993 to go on sale and for the "The last air-cooled before water-cooling, and a MT car.I had to buy it now! The 993 Carrera S had a wide body and a turbo look... The body color was "Arctic Silver" which was used as a special color for the last air-cooled model.

People often say that air-cooled clutches are heavy, but at that time, I had no such feeling, and I felt that it was just like that. I took this 993 out on the highway at night, on winding roads, and in many other places.

In the meantime, the times have changed to "water-cooling" and I ended up with a 993 for two years and decided to replace it. I have always been a fan of "The latest Porsche is the best Porsche.It was said to be "the best" and I thought so too, so I did not expect the value of air-cooled MT cars to increase so much and sold them as usual.

Looking back, it was a waste of time (laughs).

This is where the "splendid Porsche itinerary" begins.......

No, not like that... Next we purchased the first water-cooled model, the996 TurboIt is. I think it was 2001. However, after riding it for a couple of years, I started to miss air-cooling... "I want to ride air-cooled again! I decided to switch to air-cooled after that.

So what did you buy next?

I was in my early 30s.993RS ClubsportI switched to a "993RS Clubsport". The "993RS Clubsport" is a bit rare among air-cooled cars, but at that time, it was usually available in the used car market and the price was not as high as now.

*Image source.ZEAL Pro 993RS Clubsport Tune = ZEAL Pro = ZEAL Pro

After that, I bought a new "930 Speedster" in Linen Gray Metallic. I drove this one for quite a long time.Speedsters are so good.and I became more and more fascinated with it.

What is it about air-cooling that makes you so hooked on the 930 Speedster?

I wonder what it is...lol. As I thought.The charm of analog thingsI think it is not. I think it is the same with watches, for example. Recently, high-tech watches such as digital watches and Apple Watches have become popular, but on the other hand, analog watches are also very popular.

*Image source.Porsche 911 (Type 930) 930Seedster Turbo-Look

The appeal of air-cooling is similar to that feeling.

Air-cooled cars are very simple and analog in their construction. As for the Speedster, it is a convertible, so it even feels similar to riding a motorcycle.

It is true that the latest water-cooled Porsches such as the GT3 and GT2RS are also very good cars with tremendous power and acceleration, but it is impossible to drive them with such performance on public roads.

In this respect, air-cooled cars are not as fast, nor do they have tremendous acceleration, but they are a lot of fun to drive....Air-cooling is great for riding around town, and the driving itself is very interesting!I like the sound of the air-cooled engine. I also quite like the flapping sound that only air-cooling can make.

I believe that the appeal of analog products will always be immortal.

After that, you were drawn more and more into the world of air-cooling, weren't you?

Yes, that's right (laughs). After that, the body color is speed yellow, "964 Speedster MTpurchased. And the black metallic "964 3.6 turboI also purchased a "964 3.6 Turbo". The "964 3.6 Turbo" is known as a very rare model among Porsche cars, but at that time it was still sold used at Mitsuwa Motors.

In fact, before I bought it, a famous racer from overseas came all the way to Mitsuwa Automobile to buy it, but the owner said, "We do not sell to people overseas. We want Japanese people to ride with us.He did not sell it because he said, "I'm not a fan of this kind of thing. Hearing this, I immediately decided to buy it.

It was a one owner, clean 911 in good condition.

3. Porsche, Porsche, Porsche...

I can't stop now...w

(laughs) But after that, I started to buy water-cooled models, and I bought a 997 Turbo and a 970 Panamera. As for the Panamera, I started to drive it often in work situations and found it to be a very nice car, so I switched to a 971 Panamera Sport Turismo.

After that.A senior with Porsche connections bought a Carrera GT that was for sale.

Carrera GTs are hard to find nowadays, and they are very nice cars, so the previous owner, a seniorI shouldn't have let it go then. I want to buy it back.I still have a lot of people who still say, "I'm so happy to have this car. I, too, am still taking good care of my car.

Then I got the 993 GT2, which I wanted and searched for the most. From there, I started buying the 918 Spyder, 911R, GT3RS, and so on... the latest models.

I'm so envious of the rare air-cooled models and the latest Porsche...

From that point on.I want to drive the "930 Speedster" again.I began to think about it. In fact, about 10 years ago, when the Lehman Shock hit our company, my wife said to me, "When the company is going through a hard time, you shouldn't be the only one driving a nice car. I thought to myself, "That's true," and with great reluctance, I let go of my 930 Speedster.

Then, about 3 years ago, I learned that the white "930 Speedster" was for sale, and I immediately bought it. Later, I also bought a black "930 Speedster".

4. 356 speedster to compete in Mille Miglia

So, what is your most recent Porsche purchase?

This is a 1955 356 Pre-A Speedster. It's one of the earliest speedsters. In fact, I have always been a fan of the "sooner or laterLa Festa Mille Miglia(A rally event that starts in Harajuku and runs 1100 km on public roads in classic cars.)I want to be inI had a dream of being able to drive a Porsche. It would be great to drive the latest Porsche and race it on the track, butOn the other hand, I'd love to compete in a rally with a "356", the origin of Porsche.And.

However, in order to participate in such rallies, you need a classic car, and I couldn't find one that I liked. I could not find a car that I could say "This is it! Finally, three years ago, I found a car that was highly original and rare in Japan.356 SpeedsterI came across the "I'm a fan of the newest and best".

When it comes to the 356 Speedster, most of the parts are reprints or reproductions.As for this 356, almost all of the engine, transmission, and other parts were still the same as they were at the time, and were as close to the original as possible.The first is that it is a very good idea to use the same type of equipment as the second.

I thought to myself, "Now I have no choice but to buy it."

356How was it for you, competing in the Mille Miglia, as you had hoped to do in the Speedster?

It was a very valuable and wonderful experience.

The 356 Speedster is currently being restored. There is a famous sheet metal shop in Yokohama, which is run by a father and son who know well about the Porsche 356 when it was launched.Takes two years to restore.They said, "We are very happy to be here.

Instead, we will have them all overhauled and re-plated down to the last screw. In addition, we will ask them to order bolts, parts, and components from all over the world, which even Porsche Japan does not have at this time, and replace them to make the car as good as new.

The president of this sheet metal shop is already very old, so when I spoke to him the other day, he said, "This will be my last big job.He said, "I am very happy to be here.

If it's such a valuable 356, why not make it ornamental?

Yes, I think so. I think there are many people who buy a car but don't ride it much and keep it displayed indoors in their garage. I just don't think I'm a "These rare classic cars are the ones that should be driven in public.I'm thinking, "I'm not going to be able to do that.

Although the 356 Speedster was built more than 60 years ago, it is still a high-performance car that can be driven on public roads. It also has a very nice design. If that were the case, thenI think it is more important to make sure the car is running well and present it to the world as it should be.I believe that this is a good idea.

Well, this is just my own theory.

(3) Wonderful Porsche

1. Racing and Porsche

What is it about Porsche that you have rediscovered after competing in the race?

Yes, I do. Whether you drive the latest Carrera Cup car or an air-cooled Porsche built 30 years ago, no matter what kind of Porsche you drive, if you sit in the seat and hold the steering wheel, you'll be able to say, "I'm a Porsche."Ah... a Porsche!I can think, "This is a great thing. This is a great thing, I thought again.

Also, when it comes to 911, "The engine is in the back, which is a big attraction.It's a "rear-engine sports car. A rear-engine sports car would be impossible, but when I actually drove the car on a circuit, I came to understand the "advantages of rear-engine cars.

Porsche has a strong push from behind because the engine is located in the back. This is why the "After turning a corner and turning the car around, the car is very quick to get up.I was very happy with the time I was able to make. In the case of Porsche race cars, I have learned that where you make the most time is on the exit after the corner.

I hear that Porsche is unbreakable and durable, but is it true?

Yes, it is true.The durability of Porsche is amazing.When you race a car, it gets beat up, and once or twice a season you break the car, but I still think Porsche is one of the most unbreakable cars.

I have driven race cars from other manufacturers and they are totally different.

Also, Porsche is great when it comes to safety. I myself have had a few crashes during races, but nothing serious.Porsche is also amazing in terms of safety to protect the driver, such as brakes and body rigidity.I was impressed.

Every single Porsche is carefully, precisely, and solidly made, and as an industrial product, it is excellent. That is why you can trust the car and race with confidence. And I think this is true not only for race cars but also for production cars.

I've heard that Porsches are finally broken in after 100,000 kilometers...

Yes, when I was driving the 964RS, I also owned sports cars from other manufacturers made in the same decade, but they were completely different. The Porsche won in terms of performance as a car, interior, and rigidity.

I just think it's always a shame that the PCCJ has such a small audience....

Well, you know (laughs), basically it's not the main event, but sometimes it's a front runner race for something. I guess it would be best if we could hold the Carrera Cup at a place where Porsche fans and Porsche owners gather at the circuit.

2. TAD's future

TAD, will you continue to compete in races in the future?

Races are time-consuming and costly, and we honestly do not know how long we will be able to compete. Also, we are human beings, so sometimes we feel tired and want to take a break from racing.

But in the end, it all comes back to the race... which isFor me, there is nothing else in my life that gives me such thrill, excitement, and personal growth except racing.It is.

I've also recently learned the pleasure of driving classic cars, so I'm hoping to one day drive in a Le Mans Classic, a Mille Miglia overseas, or at the Goodwood Festival.Dream of driving my own Porsche in classic races around the worldThere are also

It would be great to run with something like 904 or 906....

Well, not the most recent, but really the final dream.

Finally, what does Porsche mean to you, TAD?

For me, Porsche means...It gives color to our lives.It's a "I'm not a good person." thing. I believe this phrase was said by someone at PCCJ once, but it sounds stinky when I say it...lol.

A Porsche adds color to many aspects of your life. Not only in racing, but also in city driving, touring...a Porsche expands the range of experiences you can have in your life.

Actually, I lost my wife to cancer a few years ago. The following year was the timing of my first Carrera Cup entry, so I was very worried at the time about whether to enter or not. I thought, "Now is not the time for me to be doing something like this. I also thought, "This is not the time for me to be doing this.

However, the only time I was able to get away from such pain was while I was running in a race during my difficult battle with the disease. This saved me in a big part.

People around me might have thought, "What are you playing at a difficult time?" But because of the race, I was able to get through it.

With that in mind.Porsche is an indispensable and irreplaceable part of my life.It is. I will continue to work hard, one step at a time, toward my ultimate dream, as well as racing.

Blog manager's opinion.
Porsche as a race car, air-cooled Porsche, 356, water-cooled Porsche... I had never heard someone who knew so much about Porsche, but his stories were very compelling, profound and heartbreaking."Porsche is something that gives color to your life.Thank you very much, TAD!