Going Out On Top - Tsukuba Circuit Retirement Party

Tsuchiya turned the afternoon session into a challenge to break his own record. Around the time of the final attack, 2:40 p.m., the clouds came out and some flakes of snow started to fall. The temperature dropped below freezing, which meant good news for the engine but bad news for my kibbles and bits and the hard compound JGTC Suzuka spec Bridgestone rubber. Under those circumstances, Tsuchiya got in his ARTA NSX for the very last time and started his time attack. I don't remember which lap it was because I was running out of the bathroom (I never authorized a bathroom break.-JN), but I was just in time to witness history. There it was displayed on the monitor. It read 0:51.875! In one day, he crushed the previous record and also went on to better his own.

Tsuchiya came back around and did perfect donuts in front of the main stand, leaving the scent of burnt rubber hanging over the main straight. Stereotypically, Japanese people are known to be tame. They are famous for calmly sitting through Linkin Park concerts as they clap hands in perfect synchronization with the beat. But this crowd made Daytona Beach's Spring Break Tuner Bashers look like Zen meditation students. This crowd went nuts! The fans had an unforgettable day in Tsukuba with their idol, and what better way for Keiichi Tsuchiya to end his 26-year illustrious racing career then by breaking the track record in front of his beloved fans. OK, now someone please tell me why this guy is retiring again.

Video footage of the event will be available on Best Motoring International DVDs. Click over to www.bestmotoringvideo.com for release dates.

"She bang, she bang! Oh baby!"

"I already gave my best. I have no regrets at all."

"Seriously, Keiichi, don't you think NOB's flamed pant legs are a little much?"

Okachan quickly ditched his Advans for a set of 28-inch spinners before the MTV Cribs crew arrived.

51.875 at Tsukuba. Need we say more?