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 with more on show than ever before. 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 third 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.
It was great to see a stunning R34 GTR Skyline that I shot for the cover of Modified Motors Mgazine many years ago greet everyone as they entered the foyer of the venue. Stepping inside the hall and a baby Subaru Impreza caught my eye, looking like one of those shrunken car art sketches I’d not a clue as to what it was. It transpires that it’s based on a Mazda 121, and I’d like a smoke of whatever the creator of it was savouring when the idea crossed their mind.
A slammed Mitsubishi Outlander looked very cool on it’s banded steel’s, it was akin to the old Suzuki Jimny Fatboy. Car of the show was a sublime Mazda RX-7 in yellow with black detail and gold split-rims.
A Mint Blue Mazda MX-5 wrapped in Sakura caught my eye, whilst one highlight for effort without breaking the bank was the Red over Black Corolla Twincam styled Nisan Micra. I can almost smell the McDonald’s trays melt under the rear wheels as it replicates its idol.
The all-wheel-drive Toyota Starlet was proper cool, as was the Blur classic Celica. A brace of Honda NSX’s was great to see, alongside which sat an immaculate rally inspired Mitsubishi Evo III.
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 Nissan Micra convertible.
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 (JPCCSC) 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
Trophies where different this year, with JPCCNI opting for Top 10 indoors, Top 5 outdoors, Two sponsors choice awards as chosen by Alan from AJM Sales and Richard from Bradley Motorworks, with a final award for car of the show.
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]
