King Kanjozoku

Words: Iori Suzuki
Pictures: Iori Suzuki

Today I’m with Kazuhiro Furukawa, arguably one of the most famous guys in the Honda car scene. Not because of crazy horsepower or over the top builds, but rather for his reputation as a Kanjo Racer. Now, after exploding all over the internet, the “Kanjo Style” approach of building cars has been popular ever since. You can google his name and you’ll dig more info about his Kanjo days. But I’m here to document him on a race day.

Oh if you are too lazy to read up, he’s the guy that passed the R35 GTR while giving a the fellow driver a friendly gesture.

Hump day 6:30am at Car Craft Boon, car was already loaded at the truck and Kazuhiro was there saying that he was still sleepy. Apparently, we both slept late the night before.

We hit the road fast as Central Circuit was a 2 hour drive from our place and the weather was perfect for time attack.

And like any other race car driver around the world, McDonalds is the staple breakfast while driving.

We arrived and were ready to raise hell…

Car decided not to start up so we had to push the car to the pit and unload our gear. Furukawa-san still puzzled as to why it wouldn't start.

While he was busy checking the engine, I took some snaps of his very minimalistic interior.

All business in the office.

B18C with a TODA ITB set up, no wonder he had a hard time starting in the really cold weather.

Cleaning the plugs which is soaked in oil? Not sure really.

TODA ITB, Fuel rail, Fuel Reg, Greddy catch can, custom coil-over and a Mugen oil cap to name a few bits in his engine bay.

Look at that side profile---Original aftermarket box flares on the AH civic and meaty track tires make the car look the part. Classic classy car.

Pulling hard on the first session of the day with the Kumho Ecsta V700s. Not bad being the 2nd fastest time of the day with 1’28’578.

Time to pit in and change to the mighty Advan A050s, the “Clubman” tires were at the limit already.

I swear there’s a hint of Italian somewhere in the styling, but I can’t really put my finger on it.

One lug nut was not giving away, turns out the stud was turning too. Time for a little bit of creativity.

So while waiting for a solution, the two drivers with the best times of the day are comparing notes and approaches to the corners. And yes Kazuhiro-san time attacked in his Umbro jogging pants, such colorful character this guy has!

Finally after spot welding the stud, time for some new tires and hope for a much faster time.

And he’s off!

No matter on what angle I shoot.

Or how over and under-exposed the shots came out.

That race car really looked good.

And cornered really fast.

Like thunder, his induction note reverberates thru the mountain and it was good. http://instagram.com/p/jvdV2VpScQ/ 

Time to end the day and hope for good results.

Frustrated but never broken, a mark of a real racer.

It was a great day, weather and sun were good, temps were low, but I guess you can’t win them all.

He’ll be back and will be more prepared.

As we boarded the truck, placed our seatbelts and was ready to go home, he showed me a piece of paper with the word BEST and 1:28.239. Apparently he did manage to beat his time! Oh boy this guy really knows how to deliver the news.

Central Circuit Fastest FF 15” category. in a chassis more than 25years old, no seam weld and without the rear multi-link suspension Honda Civics are known for.

From kanjo racer to being an icon here and abroad, Kazuhiro has remained humble despite all the fame and achievements. Through out the day as I was shooting away, he had the vibe of a guy on his first track day. Determined, focused yet having fun through out plus a little wrenching here and there on the car which I rarely see on pros nowadays.

No wonder he is the king Kanjozoku. A good street racer, even better on the track.