Ryo Michigami raced his Honda NSX in the GT 500 class for 12 years from 1998 where he first participated in the Japan GT Championship, starting with the Mugen × Dome Project. In 2000, he lifted the Japan GT Championship series trophy and became synonymous with the NSX. But Ryo Michigami’s association with the NSX was not limited to the race circuit. He is a genuine NSX aficionado who owns an original NSX Type R. What is it about the NSX at the center of his car life that stirs the soul of Ryo Michigami?
The NSX is second to none As Japan’s leading sports car
「I had just begun my racing career when the first NSX Type R was released. I knew the NSX as the Honda flagship and I read articles of the amazing times achieved at Nürburgring. Naturally I wanted to drive it one day! But at that time the idea of buying the NSX was just a distant dream. A few years later in 1998, I was given the opportunity to drive the NSX, although it was the GT 500 racing car, not the production model NSX I had once dreamed of . I realised how effective the rear traction was, which is a characteristic of the mid ship, but I also noticed the front and rear tires did not heat up at equal rates. I remember feeling the rear tires warm up before the front tires and I can still remember thinking to myself, ‘This won’t be an easy ride’. After a while, I drove the production model and it was not only the movement but also the unique the Honda V6 sound that made a lasting impression.
The production model NSX I drove, which I had always wanted ever since I first started out as a racer, is the one that I still drive today. I want to drive on both the circuit and the streets but circuit racing places heavy burdens on certain parts… so I’ve tested out various parts to counter this. The VTEC allows me to enjoy the power of the engine when switched to high cam through to high RPM so I will always enjoy a circuit drive without fail. But I also consider the city views when driving on the streets, so I’ve added a navigator and ETC.」
「I have also driven the new NSX, but the old and the new NSX are completely different. The new NSX is a hybrid 4WD with over 500 horsepower and has completely different specifications to the first NSX Type R. This allows the new NSX to shine in its own light, but it will be difficult even for a professional driver to control a car with more than 500 horsepower. However, the first NSX Type R is lightweight and has 280 horsepower, which is easier to handle. You can also enjoy the thrill of manipulating the first NSX Type R. In addition, the first NSX Type R still embodies the image of Japan’s definitive sports car and there is no sense that it has become dated. It still makes me question if this car was really built 20 years ago.」
The comments above provide an insight into the ‘special feelings’ Mr. Michigami has for his first NSX Type R and that he ‘is a car lover through and through’. Judging by the extensive collection displayed around his house, Mr. Michigami’s fondness for cars also extends to RC cars and mini cars. So, I asked this NSX fanatic about his initial thoughts of the first NSX Type R released in the Samurai series.
「The build is incredible. The engine has been properly reproduced and the rear window heat wires looks realistic, even with the same number of heat wires as the actual car! Because the rear sinks when traction is applied, the height of the real car might be a little higher than this model? But regardless, even if you take that away, it has been made very well.」
「I’m not just a real car enthusiast; I also drive R/C cars and decorate my home with mini cars. The majority of the model cars are replicas of what I drove when racing. When I look at them, I’m able to relive those days and think “I did this back then,” and “if only the transmission didn't break, I would have won the championship.” I decorate my house with my mini car collection, so I’ll never forget the cars I’ve driven. I’ll go as far and say that my mini cars are a representation of my driving history. I would like to collect mini cars of all the cars I’ve driven up until now and I would like to continue to collect them.」
Racing Driver
Ryo Michigami
In 1986, Ryo Michigami became the Kart National AS Class Champion at the age of 13. In 1994 he won Rookie King title in the Japan National F3 Championships and in 2000 won the series champion title in the Japan GT Championship · GT 500 class. He is also active in Super GT, Formula Nippon, Le Mans 24 Hour race among others. Although he temporarily retired as a frontline driver, he returned to the FIA World Touring Car Championship (WTCC) as Japan’s first regular driver in 2017. Continuing in 2018 as the Modulo Drago CORSE team driver, he drove a NSX GT3 in the Super GT·GT 300 class.
Contributing Editor: Eyebrows http://www.miyaji-company.com/70706/
‘Eyebrows’ is a shop located in Kamakura, Kanagawa Prefecture in which Mr. Michigami has a strong connection. With their advanced technology they perform a wide range of services from general car maintenance, repair and performance tuning to car styling. Mr. Miyaji (right) is a familiar presence at Eyebrows.
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