Fascinated by "Top Gun"

Daijiro Yoshihara | BCNR33 - 1997

(Main Text)

It all started when I was in my first year of junior high school, watching "Golden Foreign Films Theater" on TV.
"‘Top Gun’ was on. As a boy living in Hachioji with no real talent, I was utterly captivated by the immense scale of the world displayed on my small family TV. I made a serious vow to myself, ‘One day, I will live there.’ It wasn't about Tom Cruise or the fighter jets, but the incredible American scenery and style that struck me."
This might be a common story—an adolescent boy fascinated by the grand scale of America and the sophisticated lifestyle that was still rare in Japan at the time, dreaming of living there one day. However, as reality sets in, most forget such dreams, realizing they were just that—dreams.
But Daijiro Yoshihara, known as "DAI," was different. He is now widely recognized as a successful Japanese racer in the U.S. In the 18 years he competed in FORMULA DRIFT®, he finished second in the series in his first year, 2004. Though victories accumulated, the "summit" remained elusive until 2011, his eighth year, when he finally won the series championship.
Today, he supports his wife and two sons, fulfilling the vow he made as a boy in Hachioji, achieving American citizenship as "Daijiro Yoshihara."
"I never intended to make a living from drifting. I didn't even consider making a career in motorsports. But I believed, somewhat vaguely, that I could become anything if I went to America. So, I left Hachioji for the U.S. with that rather vague notion."

The 2022 SEMA Show, held after the global impact of COVID-19 had finally subsided, was bustling with excitement. I attended this world’s largest custom and aftermarket parts trade show for the first time in five years. The Las Vegas Convention Center, already huge, had expanded further, and I was surprised by the number of Japanese cars on display. Among them, one project particularly stood out: the BCNR33-based restomod "DAI33," a joint project between "TURN14," a major U.S. distributor, and "Daijiro Yoshihara."
"I felt a bit embarrassed having a car named after me, but with the connections and support from various people, I was able to present this car to the world. We aimed to create a meaningful style, and with the help of friends, we shaped it into what you see."
The concept was to create a Skyline GT-R that could rival the latest Ferraris and Porsches. The DAI33 is a complete machine equipped with a crate motor from GReddy Performance Product, featuring a 2.8L stroker engine and twin GP64R turbos. The new block and head are specially CNC ported to withstand up to 1500hp. The transmission is a sequential type with paddle shifters, fittingly modern for a restomod.
"The engine's potential is quite high, but we've deliberately kept it around 700hp for this car. The idea was to prioritize balanced and smooth performance over extreme power, keeping street use in mind. Though it's a 25-year-old car, we used the latest technologies from NASCAR and aerospace to bring its quality up to the level of modern super sports cars. Since the GT-R wasn't exported to the U.S. when it was new, I wanted to reveal its true potential with a contemporary perspective. Perhaps there's a part of me that sees this as a way to express my pride as a Japanese person."

"When I was in Hachioji, influenced by Initial D and ‘Drift King,’ I was always drifting in the mountains. Before that, I rode motorcycles, scraping my knees on mountain curves and drag racing in Minami-Osawa. I was quite the troublemaker, typical of my time."
Working part-time at a gas station and hitting the streets at night was a standard lifestyle for young people in Hachioji back then.
"Those were good times. Young people with little money could enjoy driving daily. Nowadays, it's a more restrictive era, but back then, street racing was still acceptable. By the way, I'm the same age as Takumi Fujiwara, the protagonist of Initial D. We’re truly ‘generation.’"
After his success in FORMULA DRIFT®, Daijiro expanded his driving career to include the Pikes Peak International Hill Climb (PPIHC), time attack, endurance racing, and now, from this year, participating in the IMSA Michelin Pilot Challenge Series with an FL5 Civic Type R TCR. He continues to challenge higher levels in American racing.
"Everything in America is on a grand scale. The sky's the limit, and there are endless opportunities to explore. From corporate commercials to Hollywood stunt driving, car and apparel production, I’ve found various ways to sustain myself and even chart future directions. But reflecting on my past, I'm reminded of my middle school dream, which I've fulfilled. Now, I have a family to support, but that’s normal, whether in Japan or here. When I came to America, I believed I could become anything. But recently, I've been asking myself, who am I now?"
Clearly, this man is intensely stoic. He might appear to be going with the flow, but he earnestly pursues his goal of "becoming someone."
"When I worked part-time at a gas station and drove my 2,000-yen AE86 in the mountains, owning a Skyline GT-R was a distant dream. But now, I have a GT-R named after me, creating cars that inspire the next generation of car enthusiasts, fulfilling a dream I've had since middle school. It's amazing when you think about it. The fact that this legendary Japanese car and I, a car-crazy Japanese person, have reunited to create a new dream in the U.S. shows that JDM value is truly recognized here. Therefore, I pledge to continue conveying the true greatness of Japan in America."

(Catchphrases)

P087
"I want to give the Skyline GT-R, a Japanese pride, proper recognition in America."

P088
"When I came to America from Hachioji, I believed I could become anything."

P091
"I think my very existence embodies JDM. That's why I want to elevate Japan's value even more."

P093
"The Skyline GT-R is unique, a Japanese monster that can compete globally like Godzilla."

P095
"Thanks to the existence of the Skyline GT-R, the value of ‘JDM’ is truly recognized."

(Captions)

P087
"Daijiro Yoshihara, affectionately known as ‘DAI,’ is a successful racer from Hachioji, embodying JDM. He is active as an influencer through SNS, events, and apparel production. He owns a fully tuned AE86 and a Chevy truck and is a kind father of two."

P090
"The DAI33, built around an ‘OEM Plus’ style modeled after the legendary 400R. The RB26DETT is upgraded to a 2.8L stroker by GPP, finely balanced with modern technology, and paired with GP64R turbos to produce 709ps. It features a sequential OS-88 transmission from OS Giken with an actuator for paddle shifting. This car seeks modern drivability over extreme power, showing DAI33's intended position."