The hydrogen-engine Corolla is racing in the Fuji 24 Hours for its fifth straight year. Once again, we asked automotive analyst Shinya Yamamoto to provide a rundown of the attempt.
This time, we gathered again after dark, sitting around a fire in the Fuji Speedway camp area. Automotive journalist Yuki Imai also joined the festivities to discuss how to cultivate a motorsports culture.
Making motorsports part of the culture
Seated around the campfire, automotive analyst Shinya Yamamoto, automotive journalist Yuki Imai, and our very own Kyonosuke Morita delved into a deeper discussion on the concept of how “roads build cars,” and ways to establish a motorsports culture.
Morita
We’ve been talking about what is needed for motorsports to take root as a culture. I believe this area was set up for those who come to see racing, as well as for people who just enjoy camping or a barbecue.
Yamamoto
You’re grilling some meat and enjoying the fire, and then, “Oh, look at the cars. There’s a race on.” I think that kind of level is okay.
Morita
Last time, I had a chance to attend my first Nürburgring 24 Hours, and I was struck by Morizo’s comment as he pointed out the campers enjoying themselves in the spectators’ area.
And now we have exactly the same kind of area at Fuji Speedway. The circuit hosts events for both Super Taikyu and Super Formula, but this 24-hour race is the only chance to see cars on the track at night.
Imai
There is a limited number of these all-night days, so if we show this on the program, it might get more competitive.
Morita
Since we often talk about helping motorsports take root as a culture, today we’ve decided to discuss exactly what that entails.
We will also explore the concept of how “roads build cars,” and to do that, we have invited automotive analyst Shinya Yamamoto and automotive journalist Yuki Imai.
Today the sun set at 6:54, and the atmosphere has only gotten better since, with the lights of the cars coming into their own. Now is the best time to be here.
Imai
There are very few chances to see cars race with the lights on, and even fewer circuits where you can watch them from this distance.
Morita
The reason we asked Shinya Yamamoto to join us today is that, in addition to our Toyota Times live broadcast, every year we also have our interview.
Shall we take a look back? Since the first year of the hydrogen engine challenge, Shinya Yamamoto and I have taken stock of the progress at this same point in the season.
For this to work as a reference point, the conditions need to be kept constant—hear from the same person, in the same place, wearing the same outfit.
When we started this project the first year, you called the hydrogen engine “a catalyst that unleashed our dreams."
Then in 2022, you reflected that internal combustion engines are “our allies.”
In 2023, you noted that “everyone can now speak openly.”
This was probably when ACO president Pierre Fillon came and announced that Le Mans would create a hydrogen class.
Yamamoto
That’s right.
Morita
Then last year. “The summit is in sight."
You were saying that we had caught our first glimpse of the summit, in terms of actually getting these engines out into the market and the world. Is that right?
Yamamoto
The issue with the hydrogen engine was range, and we were talking about how the team might have found a potential solution.
Morita
Which brings us to today. Naturally, this morning we added to our annual fixed-point survey. What were the words you used earlier?
Yamamoto
I said, “The summit wasn’t really the summit.” What had come into view wasn’t in fact the mountaintop. That’s how I see it now.
Morita
The thing is, no one can honestly say, “This is the summit.”
Yamamoto
Exactly—no one knows where the summit is, and what I thought was the summit turned out to be a false impression. That’s where we stand now.
