ARRIVAL AT MOTEGI
The first round of this trip takes place at Mobility Resort Motegi, a circuit originally named Twin Ring Motegi. The name comes from the facility that houses two race tracks: a 2.5-kilometer oval and a 4.8-kilometer road course. The circuit was built in 1997 by Honda Motor Co., Ltd. as part of the company’s effort to bring the Championship Auto Racing Teams (CART) series to Japan, thus helping to promote American open-wheel racing. The oval was last used in 2010 by the Indycar Series. On March 1, 2022, to mark the 25th anniversary of the facility, the name of the circuit was changed to Mobility Resort Motegi. The most important event held at the road course is the Japan Motorcycle Grand Prix, which is held annually. In addition to this, the circuit also hosts national Super Formula and Super GT championship races every year. To reach Motegi from Tokyo, you have to arrive in Mito and drive about 35 kilometers to the circuit. On the way, you can see the Japanese countryside, characterized by low houses and lush greenery, with sports such as cycling, golf and racing attracting local tourism.
Probably the costs in these areas are not too high. As for the race, unfortunately it is not the best year for Aprilia. The team is in transition, with several changes, especially regarding the riders. One thing that strikes me every year at the end of the season is the increase in cases of minor ailments that affect everyone from mechanics to engineers: colds, flu, gastro-intestinal disorders and so on. These symptoms are not so much related to climate change as to the stress accumulated in 200 days of traveling around the world. Despite everything, the team is in good condition and is preparing for the future in a good spirit. What I had not done in Motegi Arriving late at night without local currency. Although almost all credit cards are accepted in Japan, outside cities you cannot easily find dinner after 7-7:30 pm. In addition, many restaurants do not accept credit cards. I found myself in an awkward situation: an open restaurant and a lady who candidly told me, “No credit cards, no dollars, no pounds.” Just then a gentleman dressed very flamboyantly, like a cross between a Ducati and a Ferrari, appeared and uttered the only word in English that the lady seemed to appreciate: “commission,” meaning 10 percent more on the bill. In the end, I had to pay an advance of 50 USD, which was almost three times the cost of the dinner. After much insistence, the lady returned about 30 USD, but charged a second 10% commission. Welcome to Japan! Drilling a tire in the dark.
On the way back to the hotel at the end of the day, I heard a loud noise and knew immediately that the tire had exploded. The spare tire was not there and the only tool available was a compressor. I called my local contact, Kenji Suzuki, a partner in our travel agency, who was about 50 km from me. After sending him my location, he assured me that he would arrive in about 30-40 minutes, and he kept his word, arriving punctually and politely, at 8:00 p.m. on Saturday night. Later, with the intervention of the insurance company and the police, the tow truck arrived and, with the same courtesy, resolved the situation. By 8:00 the next morning, I already had a replacement car! Kenji was instrumental in all this, as no one spoke English, and I do not speak Japanese. What I had not done in Tokyo Breakfast at a Kissaten. Kissaten is a traditional Japanese cafe, popular in the provinces in the morning. The “Morning Set” generally consists of soft toast, an egg, and a beverage of your choice, prepared in Japanese style but with a Western twist.
In Tokyo, I chose Cafe Tomorrow in Asakusa, where I had the support of my daughter, who recommended the place. It is an interesting experience, offering a selection of morning dishes and great long black coffee. Robot Restaurant. I had not yet seen the famous Tokyo show called Robot Restaurant. It is a chaotic and colorful show with robots, neon dancers, and techno music, reminiscent of Japanese animation aesthetics. The matinee starts in the late afternoon and is a very unique experience because of Japanese bowing. In Japan, bowing is the traditional greeting, replacing handshakes or kisses on the cheek. There are different types of bows, depending on the situation. A bow of about 5° is informal, while one of 15° is more formal. A 30° bow is used to thank or honor someone important, and a 45° bow is made in apology or to show deep respect.
PHILLIP ISLAND HERE WE GO!
The history of motorsport at Phillip Island dates back to 1928, when British driver A.C.R. White won the first Australian Grand Prix in his Austin 7 on a 6.5-mile road course. The Grand Prix was held annually until 1935, when motorcycle racing began to gain popularity. In 1941, events due to poor safety put an end to road racing. The current track is beautiful and fits into a unique landscape. The logistics of getting there are perfect, with ample parking spaces. Service during the event is provided by a large number of people working for free, with all proceeds going to social purposes. During practice, the weather was variable and sessions were postponed due to torrential rain. Despite everything, Aprilia Racing got a good result with Maverick Viñales, who, however, had an accident during the sprint race due to a collision with another rider. Despite the bruises he suffered, Viñales was able to recover quickly and participate in the next day’s race. I also had the pleasure of having a few words with Giacomo Agostini, the greatest rider of all time. He raced the MV Agusta 500 and wore the historic white suit. He is an elegant man and still a reference point for all of us today. The evening passed quickly between dinners and discussions about the work done by Aprilia Racing and Lifenet. Now we are already looking ahead to the upcoming season, with a course to Thailand!
Franco Perona
Chief Medical Officer
Lifenet
