Kanazawa Copen, the absolute champion of the Tohoku 660 Turbo GP
In the Tohoku 660 series of kei-car races, the “Turbo GP” is the category with the highest degree of freedom in tuning, where you can satisfy your desire for customization while competing in technique. We will introduce you to the particulars of a veteran driver who has been competing with a Daihatsu “Copen” for many years.
He heads into his last season with drastically changed specifications
The “Tohoku 660” originally started as a one-make race for new standard NA kei-cars, but from the beginning, there were calls for a category where cars with superchargers could run. In response, a new free-running and mock race class was established in 2014, and in 2017 it was renamed the “Tohoku 660 Turbo GP” as it is today. The driver who has continued to enter almost all the races since the days of the previous mock race and reigns at the top is Mr. Nobuyuki Kanazawa, 63, who competes in an L880K Daihatsu “Copen”.
Although he is a veteran driver in terms of both age and racing history, he started motorsports surprisingly late, in his 40s. Until then, he put his family first and saved 1,000 yen a day, and when his child graduated from college, he bought a new Copenhagen. On the day he took delivery of the car, he immediately changed the suspension and began making trips to circuits not only in the neighborhood but also in the Kansai and Kyushu regions. He has achieved brilliant results in numerous events, and currently competes mainly in the Tohoku 660 Turbo GP and K4-GP.
The highest class 1 machine that Mr. Kanazawa is entering is a turbine replacement spec, with power starting at 100 hp. The engine has undergone several remakes and overhauls and has been further updated for the 2024 season. Previously, the engine had a high-revving specification targeted for Sportsland SUGO, but because the power band starts at 6500 rpm, it was difficult to handle at the Ebisu Circuit, where there are many low-speed corners. Therefore, the turbine was changed from F5 to GBC14, which can be used from 4500 rpm, making it much easier to drive.
The body was fully spot-strengthened, and genuine FD3S Mazda RX-7 brakes were used to enhance braking power. The suspension is CRUX with 14kg/mm springs in the front and 12kg/mm in the rear, and front and rear 7J x 15 wheels with Advan A052 195/50R15s.
“I want to pursue the joy of driving even after a break”
He has spent a total of close to 20 million yen on the Copen, which he bought as a driving partner and has driven for 23 years, and has found himself spending a total of close to 20 million yen. However, this does not mean that he is retiring. His main focus is on endurance racing, which he enjoys with the members of Team “Top☆Carolisuto,” and he would like to convert his 4WD Daihatsu “Esses” to RWD and take on the challenge of drifting in the future.
