Even though I love Japan and plan to be here for the rest of my life, I’m well aware of how different Japanese culture is from mine. The fact that it is so different means it is virtually impossible to assimilate here fully.
That is not to say that it’s a bad thing. What it does mean, though, is people may find it challenging to be a part of a community, and being a part of a community is vitally important for humans. If you think about life milestones, they are generally celebrated with your community, both friends and family.
One of our aims for Fuji Select is to become this community for its members – to be there to celebrate the highest of the highs, and offer support and guidance during the lows.
In today’s age, where it feels like everyone is only looking out for themselves, and communities created for enthusiasts like you and me continually fall by the wayside to corporations, Fuji Select is picking up the mantle. It’s because of this devotion to the community that I felt the need to share their story.
The Vision
Fuji Select is the vision of I, my wife, and my two best friends, looking to put a name to our car shenanigans, and ever ever-growing enthusiasts community.
We spent countless hours driving the local touges at night around the foot of Mt.Fuji, thus the brand name. From there, we began to concentrate our efforts on becoming something more like a car/driving/lifestyle brand. As I mentioned earlier, one of our aims is to focus on the community.
The other aim is to give enthusiasts, in particular underrepresented communities, an opportunity to drive on track.
Of course, anyone is welcome to join Fuji Select if they love driving and are decent human beings. As an African American living in Japan, I feel I have an added responsibility to ensure that people of color, women, and other minorities get an opportunity like I have. This includes Japanese people as well.
Having spent over a decade of my life in Japan, I feel this in my core. You said that anyone is welcome to join as long as they love driving and are a decent human being. Does Fuji Select care about what kind of driving you love? What if I want to join and love drifting?
We do have members who love to slide and concentrate their driving around drifting, however, I’d say the vast majority of our members are grip drivers. Open wheel driving, time attack, and driving in the mountains.
Looking To The Future
This leads nicely to our “big, hairy, audacious goal” of one day becoming a fully fledged racing team that supports the enthusiast community.
I want us to compete in events and different race series across Japan, such as Super FJ, GR86 one make, and Tsukuba Time Attack, to name a few.
We have members who are incredibly knowledgeable and experienced in various areas of motorsports. Members who focus on ECU tuning. Members who focus on suspension tuning. Members who design, and members who turn wrenches.
Nik Romano, who is the founder and CEO of Fast Sideways, a driving school based in California that teaches their students absolute vehicle control at the limits on track. Nik is also a part of the Fuji Select community.
I honestly would love to have the opportunity for our members to participate in every series in Japan.
Do you think you’re close to your goal?
Not exactly, thought if we were already there it wouldn’t be a big, hairy, audacious goal. In terms of track day opportunities, Fuji Select currently hosts a track day event every quarter. We do assist other events, such as Growing Up Tani of Final Konnexion’s 407 Grip/Drift Matsuri coming June 4th.
We want to get to a point where we can host an event every month.
It’s In The Family
This might seem like a bit of a detour, Brandon, but how did you get into cars in the first place? What made you become the automotive enthusiast that you are today?
My grandfather worked at General Motors for 30 years and constantly had something fast and loud around. It shouldn’t be too much of a surprise that my father loves cars as well.
Like many of Spiderhunters’ readers, I grew up playing games such as Need For Speed, Grand Turismo, Initial D, and Tokyo Xtream Racer.
Thus, growing up around cars, witnessing how it brought people of different backgrounds together to become lifelong friends, and this tuning culture from games and magazines meant I was destined to live in Japan and be involved in the car culture in some form.
How did you settle on the GR86?
I’ve owned roughly 20 cars so far, ranging from GT-Rs to FD2s. The GR86 has suited my needs and driving style the best. I can attack a technical track, cruise around without it being uncomfortable, and it’s fun in the mountains.
A Miata would check these boxes as well and is a fantastic platform. I, however, have a small child, thus the small backseat in the GR86 is perfect!
Ah! Having two little ones of my own who love riding in Project Rough, I get that having a back seat is a requirement. Thank you for taking the time to spend time with us and share more about Fuji Select. Hopefully, next time I can get Project Rough out on track at the next event!
No problem, Ron. Yes, we would love to have you running at our next event! They can reach me at @saunders_racing.
The Cutting Room Floor
