Japanese Performance Car Club Northern Ireland, more affectionately known as JPCCNI, the largest Japanese based car club in the province, are no strangers to hosting car shows and running events.
Monthly cars and coffee meets and annual charity events such as the Show and Shine at Loughgall Festival of Motorsport, as well as “Skooled” at Killard House School in Donaghadee, it’s safe to say that JPCCNI are well established within the car enthusiast scene in Ireland.
So when you suddenly see an influx of performance, classic and modified Japanese cars driving down Queens Road, Belfast, and turning into the Titanic Exhibition Centre, you just know JPCCNI are bound to be involved!
Aptly named ‘The Docks’ this eagerly anticipated show featuring cars both indoors and outdoors on the same day, was a huge success. The layout, the welcome, and the overall feel was one you would expect from a well-established show, not one that is just on its second instalment.
Making your way around the venue, a distinct aroma of cleaning products was in the air. The reflection of the venues ceiling lights bouncing off flawless paintwork, the buzz of the crowd and a relaxed atmosphere sparked that nostalgic feeling.
The range of cars on display was nothing short of phenomenal, with something on display to suit everyone’s automotive tastes.
From the striking looking custom deep metallic red wide-body Toyota GT-86, to the as new Subaru Impreza 22B, right through to the equally ultra-rare Nissan Skyline R34 GTR in the foyer, the machinery on display was phenomenal.
Other personal favourites of mine include the yellow Suzuki Swift on Advan 3-spoke wheels and the wide-bodied Nissan PS13 which took car of the show. A carbon-arched, wire-tucked Datsun pick-up was on another level throughout and most deserving of best classic on show.
The main highlight for me though was the 90’s Ferarri-esqe KEI car which, according to friend and JDM guru Adam Osborne, is an Autozam AZ1 and the only one in Ireland.
And those were just the inside cars on display!
Outside played part to a stunning range of cars too, mean looking Nissan Silvia’s, iconic Mk1 MX-5’s and even a Lexus is200 running on Tesla wheels. We can’t forget a few very cool lifted Japanese off-roaders parked close to the main entrance.
The judging of the cars ahead of prize giving was never going to be easy, and JPCCNI knew this.
Handing over the reins of this arduous and often contentious task to Graeme (Clan Japan) and Shaun (Zero4Seven) allowed JPCCNI to focus on keeping the event running smoothly whilst leaving the tough task of deciding the winners to unaffiliated attendees who have a credible history within the
Top 10, Best Manufacture (Nissan, Toyota, Mazda, Suzuki, Honda, Mitsubishi, Lexus, Subaru) and Car of The Show, all accolades that were up for grabs.
Despite a typical Northern Irish summer displaying itself almost all day, the event ran seamlessly with all those in attendance leaving with smiles and bags of goodies from the vast range of traders who held a pitch on the day.
It’s fair to say JPCCNI pulled this out of the bag, I’ll be keeping my eye for next year’s event!
Words and Photos: GRAHAM BAALHAM-CURRY [Images must not be used in any way without prior written consent of the photographer]
