We sit down with Murakami-san to discuss J’s Racing, his love for Hondas, and that engine blow-up.
ASM: Firstly, welcome to Australia. Is this your first time to our side of the world?
Actually no, it’s my second time. Though my first visit was many years ago, and that was more of a holiday. I love it here! This time around I’m here to see JDM Concept, who we are proud to announce have just become our Australian distributor.
ASM: Tell us a little bit about the background history of J’s Racing.
The J’s Racing company is 17 years old, so we’ve been around for a very long time. However, when the company first started, it wasn’t as a tuner. Initially we sold used cars. What we would do was buy modified cars and dismantle the aftermarket parts, returning them back to standard. We’d then sell the cars and parts separately.
ASM: So how did J’s Racing move from that to becoming one of the leading Honda tuners?
It was 13 years ago that we, as a company, entered into a race. It was an all-Civic race, and we were racing an EG6 Honda Civic Si-R. We found that the car needed more speed and performance, and so we started looking into making our parts for what we needed.
Actually no, it’s my second time. Though my first visit was many years ago, and that was more of a holiday. I love it here! This time around I’m here to see JDM Concept, who we are proud to announce have just become our Australian distributor.
ASM: Tell us a little bit about the background history of J’s Racing.
The J’s Racing company is 17 years old, so we’ve been around for a very long time. However, when the company first started, it wasn’t as a tuner. Initially we sold used cars. What we would do was buy modified cars and dismantle the aftermarket parts, returning them back to standard. We’d then sell the cars and parts separately.
ASM: So how did J’s Racing move from that to becoming one of the leading Honda tuners?
It was 13 years ago that we, as a company, entered into a race. It was an all-Civic race, and we were racing an EG6 Honda Civic Si-R. We found that the car needed more speed and performance, and so we started looking into making our parts for what we needed.
ASM: When did these parts become available to the aftermarket?
Three years after that, so ten years ago.
ASM: What would the tuning philosophy of J’s Racing be?
I guess it is important to state that we do not make parts purely for the sake of it…
Three years after that, so ten years ago.
ASM: What would the tuning philosophy of J’s Racing be?
I guess it is important to state that we do not make parts purely for the sake of it…
ASM: You mean you don’t make parts to capitalise on the market?
Correct, yes. The parts we make are borne from the race track. All of the parts we develop are things we’ve found we have needed in racing. We make parts, we race with them and, if they are successful, we make them available to the public. Of course this means that a lot of our products are made purely for race use. For normal street use they aren’t as effective, as to maximise their full potential you need to use them in racing environments.
ASM: Tell us a little bit about J’s Racing HQ.
We do nearly everything possible for Hondas. We do full race preps – including chassis strengthening – to installations and even regular servicing for tuned street or race cars.
Correct, yes. The parts we make are borne from the race track. All of the parts we develop are things we’ve found we have needed in racing. We make parts, we race with them and, if they are successful, we make them available to the public. Of course this means that a lot of our products are made purely for race use. For normal street use they aren’t as effective, as to maximise their full potential you need to use them in racing environments.
ASM: Tell us a little bit about J’s Racing HQ.
We do nearly everything possible for Hondas. We do full race preps – including chassis strengthening – to installations and even regular servicing for tuned street or race cars.
ASM: And you are located in Osaka?
Yes we are. For our Japanese customers in other parts of the country, our parts are also now available through Super Autobacs. In terms of internationally, we have a dealer network around the world: U.S., UK, Germany, Greece, Asia and of course now Australia.
ASM: Now it is obvious that you’ve travelled a fair bit around the world. So in the context of the Honda communities that you’ve seen in various countries, what would the most common mistake be that enthusiasts do?
[Thinks] Overall I think that Honda enthusiasts aren’t making any big mistakes in what they do in terms of modifying. Although, I’d say one thing would be that often enthusiasts are choosing exhaust diameters that are too big for their car.
ASM: In terms of the export market, is the U.S. still the biggest?
It is yes, but I guess the U.S. is different to the UK, Asia and Australia.
Yes we are. For our Japanese customers in other parts of the country, our parts are also now available through Super Autobacs. In terms of internationally, we have a dealer network around the world: U.S., UK, Germany, Greece, Asia and of course now Australia.
ASM: Now it is obvious that you’ve travelled a fair bit around the world. So in the context of the Honda communities that you’ve seen in various countries, what would the most common mistake be that enthusiasts do?
[Thinks] Overall I think that Honda enthusiasts aren’t making any big mistakes in what they do in terms of modifying. Although, I’d say one thing would be that often enthusiasts are choosing exhaust diameters that are too big for their car.
ASM: In terms of the export market, is the U.S. still the biggest?
It is yes, but I guess the U.S. is different to the UK, Asia and Australia.
ASM: What do you mean? Like a demand for difference in products?
Not really a demand for different products, but that each country is a bit unique in terms of car choices. For example, in the United States, the S2000 is extremely popular, along with the Civic and Integra. In Asia, the Fit is the most popular.
Not really a demand for different products, but that each country is a bit unique in terms of car choices. For example, in the United States, the S2000 is extremely popular, along with the Civic and Integra. In Asia, the Fit is the most popular.
ASM: Besides those cars you mentioned, what modern Hondas is J’s Racing focusing their efforts on?
Definitely the new [JDM FD2] Civic Type R, which we see as the next popular Honda car.
ASM: Do you see a lot of potential in it?
Oh yes. For example, the S2000 is a very nice car. However in our eyes, it is almost ten years old. In Super Taikyu, the DC5 is faster due to its weight. And so we feel the new Civic Type R will be the next evolution.
ASM: What about the NSX? Have you heard anything about it?
We’ve probably heard similar things to you in terms of its performances around Nurburgring, and it is definitely a car that we’ll be excited to develop once it is released.
ASM: And what would your favourite Honda be of all-time?
[long pause] It would have to be the CL7 Honda Accord Euro R. My personal favourite.
ASM: Why is that? Because of the mix of comfort and sport?
Yes it’s a very, very good car, because no matter how you use it, it is fast. It’s great on the highway, can be used on the touge and even circuit. And of course it offers luxury.
ASM: J’s Racing has certainly grown in notoriety for its S2000’s stellar performances in various Hot Version battles. My question is, who gets to choose the driver? Do the workshops have any input in saying, for example, that we want X or Y driver to steer our car?
Unfortunately we don’t get to choose which driver races our car. That is decided by them.
ASM: An incident happened in one of their races at the Maze circuit [Hot Version: Battles at 10,000rpm]. It was an all-S2000 race, and Jyuichi Wakisaka was driving your car. Something happened – there was fire beneath the car – before the video cut away quickly. It sounded like an over-rev, but there wasn’t an explanation and so not many people know what really happened.
[laughs] Yes he over-revved the engine on a down-shift, but apparently that’s meant to be a secret!
Definitely the new [JDM FD2] Civic Type R, which we see as the next popular Honda car.
ASM: Do you see a lot of potential in it?
Oh yes. For example, the S2000 is a very nice car. However in our eyes, it is almost ten years old. In Super Taikyu, the DC5 is faster due to its weight. And so we feel the new Civic Type R will be the next evolution.
ASM: What about the NSX? Have you heard anything about it?
We’ve probably heard similar things to you in terms of its performances around Nurburgring, and it is definitely a car that we’ll be excited to develop once it is released.
ASM: And what would your favourite Honda be of all-time?
[long pause] It would have to be the CL7 Honda Accord Euro R. My personal favourite.
ASM: Why is that? Because of the mix of comfort and sport?
Yes it’s a very, very good car, because no matter how you use it, it is fast. It’s great on the highway, can be used on the touge and even circuit. And of course it offers luxury.
ASM: J’s Racing has certainly grown in notoriety for its S2000’s stellar performances in various Hot Version battles. My question is, who gets to choose the driver? Do the workshops have any input in saying, for example, that we want X or Y driver to steer our car?
Unfortunately we don’t get to choose which driver races our car. That is decided by them.
ASM: An incident happened in one of their races at the Maze circuit [Hot Version: Battles at 10,000rpm]. It was an all-S2000 race, and Jyuichi Wakisaka was driving your car. Something happened – there was fire beneath the car – before the video cut away quickly. It sounded like an over-rev, but there wasn’t an explanation and so not many people know what really happened.
[laughs] Yes he over-revved the engine on a down-shift, but apparently that’s meant to be a secret!
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