Words: Nathan Chadwick | Photos: The Magarigawa Club
The Magarigawa Club is now open for business – and the brand-new, purpose-built motor sport venue nestled among the mountains 65 miles south of Tokyo, Japan celebrated with its Bososai Opening Event, held on July 29-30, 2023.
The 2.17-mile circuit staged a weekend of car displays and hillclimbs, as well as special drifting displays. Around 500 cars lined the circuit, with super-rare classics such as a Toyota 2000GT Convertible enjoying all 22 corners alongside fresh hypercar talent from the likes of Aston Martin, Lamborghini and Bugatti.
The weekend started with the Hillclimb Drive and Parade, which saw members and manufacturers take cars around the challenging course. Those wanting an up-close-and-personal view could enter a quiz to win a circuit taxi ride experience. Sunday saw a massive exhibition of cars around the track, while 300 people got the opportunity to win a supercar ride in cars from Porsche, Bentley, Lamborghini and Ferrari. Sponsors included Lexus, Toyota Gazoo Racing, BMW and Nissan, while Ferrari, Bentley, Lamborghini and Rolls-Royce all exhibited their latest wares.
Away from the track there was live music to enjoy, plus food and drink, as well as exhibitions from Lexus, Toyota and BMW Japan.
The weekend was the culmination of eight years of effort. The Magarigawa Club was designed by Formula 1 circuit specialist Hermann Tilke, and in addition to its 22 corners it features an 800-metre straight, plus a maximum ascent of 20 percent and a maximum descent of 16 percent. There’s a 250m difference in elevation across the track, plus several blind corners – and instructors are available to help owners get the best out of their cars.
The circuit is also a private members’ club, with around 150 slots available (at approximately £186,000 apiece), of which two-thirds had been taken when Magneto reported on the circuit last year. There’s an owner’s paddock, storage for 300 cars and five luxury villas with four-car garages overlooking the track.
However, the team behind the project – Japan’s largest luxury vehicle retailer, Cornes & Company – has already confirmed that the five villas have been sold. Nevertheless, the circuit will be available for special events and track days. There’s also a clubhouse and shop for those looking for racing gear, plus a 25m outdoor swimming pool as well as indoor and outdoor hot-spring baths for a post-drive relax.
Further family-friendly amenities include an outdoor playground for children and a separate one for dogs; there are also nature trails to enjoy. This playground for adults, however, has 36 air-conditioned pit boxes with mechanics on hand to help.
For more details on the Magarigawa Club, head here.
