Team Circus Nonsuri 2025

This spring I was able to make my second trip to Japan. After experiencing a night meeting during my first trip, next on my list was to go to a nonsuri.

This has been covered here before, but nonsuri is derrived from the words “non slip” in reference to the rear differential (delivering power to both wheels) and “matsuri / 祭り” which is the japanese word for “festival”. Even before getting out of the rental car or seeing a single car it was crystal clear just how good “nonsuri” describes these events.

Drifting cars on a track surrounded by cherry blossom trees and forest under a clear sky.

Upon initially arriving at the wrong parking lot, the echo of multiple Toyota 1g engines through the mountainside quickly pointed me in the correct direction. As someone who has seen many of the old nonsuri clips on Youtube, videos don’t do these events justice for just how visceral they are. The lingering smell of burnt rubber and exhaust was plentiful for the duration of the day and the only time the “track” went quiet was lunch.

Cars drifting on a track surrounded by cherry blossom trees in full bloom.

As the host of the event, Team Circus had many cars present. Some of my favorites include the Falken GX61 and @exceed.tc24’s Z10 he debuted on this day.

Vintage Toyota GX61 car at a nonsuri car show, featuring racing decals and parked against a wooded backdrop.

Modified Toyota GX61 and GX71 cars at a nonsuri event with cherry blossoms in the background.

Red Toyota Soarer parked at an outdoor nonsuri meet, surrounded by people and cherry blossom trees under a clear sky.

Classic Toyotas parked outdoors with spare tires and automotive tools nearby.

Turquoise vintage car parked outdoors with custom modifications and decals, sunlight casting shadows.

White vintage Toyota Supra or Double XX parked with others under trees on a sunny day.

Two modified vintage cars parked outdoors with a tall exhaust pipe, surrounded by trees under a clear sky.

Red classic Toyota Supra at outdoor auto event, parked on asphalt with forest background and other vehicles in view.

One thing that surprised me was just how many wheels everyone brought to the event. After seeing how many participants will go until their tires pop, this became much less surprising. To add to this there was not a single tow setup present on this day, meaning everyone was driving their cars home after.

Red car with a severely damaged flat tire on a sunny day, parked on asphalt.

Stack of Super Star Racing Mark II wheels and performance car tires on display at an outdoor auto event with cars and equipment in the background.

A collection of car tires, tools, and a skateboard on a roadside during a sunny day with blooming trees in the background.

Close-up of a Cragar car wheel with a tire and chrome hubcap on grass, next to shoe and metal structure.

During our time at nonsuri, some other foreigners who surely did not know what a kaido racer is stumbled upon the event. I didn’t speak to them but I can only imagine how they would describe this to others. I would assume it would be something along the lines of “choreographed demolition derby but without demolition”.

Car drifting on a track surrounded by cherry blossoms, producing smoke during a sunny day in a scenic setting.

Two cars drifting on an asphalt track surrounded by cherry blossom trees, creating smoke under a clear sky.

Person observing a car drifting on an open track with cherry blossom trees in the background.

Person directing a drifting car on an empty road with cherry blossom trees in the background.

Cars drifting on asphalt amid cherry blossoms, emitting smoke under clear blue sky.

Car drifting through smoky mist on asphalt road with cherry blossom trees in the background.

All of the drivers really put on a show for the whole day. I’d also like to shoutout Jon @lowbrain_j2b3 who was kind enough to let me ride along on the skid pad in his Toyota Corona hardtop. You can see the day through his lens on film on his blog j2b3.co.