There are many parts in the tuning market, but, if you have a rare or unpopular car, it’s difficult to find. Now, K-car (660cc motor) endurance racing is becoming popular because of low cost—parts are more affordable, tires are smaller and that means rims are smaller, so again: low price. Suzuki Alto van and Daihatsu Mira van are very cheap in the used car market. A 2001 Suzuki Alto is $1,900USD; racing tires are under $77USD each. One famous K-car endurance race—K4-GP at Fuji Speedway—has over 80 cars entered every year. RAYS Engineering released new 13-inch wheels, KCDECOR A LAP, which is about $190USD each. Not only do they have new rims but RAYS employee built a Suzuki Alto race car and took part in a K-car endurance race. I know K-cars have low power and many people think that just because they’re slow means they’re not interesting, but K-cars driven on a closed race track can show you real driving skill. Making good lap times with low power requires skill because you can’t fake anything. I like promoting the idea of K-car racing for one important reason: in the USA and UK, some people were able to buy Japanese K-cars and put a Japanese Suzuki Hayabusa motor into it so they could enjoy driving and/or drifting. In the USA, before 1975, Honda was selling K-car-style cars, like the N600 and Z600. Daihatsu sold a Hi-Jet truck and van a few years ago, but still, it’s hard to find any K-cars in the US. In the near future, Honda will sell a mid-ship, 2-seater, sports K-car Beat; Daihatsu will release the Copen. For those interested in real, modern Japanese car culture, make sure you check out our K-car tuning/motorsport market.
