By: Lucio Maurizi
Photos: Alberto Rasca
The largest GT-R meet in the world happens in Japan (as you would imagine) and it’s organized by the historic GT-R Magazine.
R’s Meet fills Fuji Speedway with thousands of GT-Rs from all over the country and beyond. Not only will you find some of the rarest R’s out there, but also incredible builds, unique experiments, and thousands of enthusiasts who showcase their own vehicles to make this a vibrant and fun community event, bringing together car lovers of all ages.
The 2024 R’s Meet left very little to be desired, and it represented its almost 20-year legacy with pride.
I started the day with an awesome R33 from Top Rank only to be blown away by this impossibly pristine 400R with only one previous owner, and never de-registered since its first registration.
As you can see the iconic stripes are missing (but don’t worry, Top Rank has the stripes for you if you need them) because the stripes that we so well know were actually an option back when the 400R came out. Take a look at my YT video to see more of the 400R and to know how much it’d cost you to buy it!
Not too far from the 400R there was an unrecognizable 400R replica. See if you could spot which is which (comment).
Obviously there were quite a few big names attending, like Hiroshi Tamura and Keiichi “Drift King” Tsuchiya but R’s Meeting is actually mostly about families and community.
One thing that impressed me when I’d fist started attending big events in Japan, is that they seemed like an excuse for family to hang out together with a cars backdrop. Three generations of people would fit in a car with chairs, tents, food, and go hang out during these automotive events.
Large groups of friends would organize caravans of dozens of cars leaving at ungodly hours to arrive early enough to secure a good spot, or to place their car in the show area.
The result, more often than not, is a relaxed, community-friendly vibe that is what keeps these events alive decade after decade.
In fact, I could argue that R’s Meeting has not changed much in format and style since its inception. The love and passion for GT-Rs is always pervasive and at the center of the event, but there is little effort to create something new year after year.
While this may have caused more casual attendees to diminish, I think it has had little to no impact not only on the industry-attendance, but also on those people who see this R’s Meeting as a tradition.
And R’s Meeting is just that, a tradition celebrating a legendary machine, and a historic franchise which has reshaped the Japanese automotive industry, and has had a lasting and immensely powerful impact on the car world at large, and on three generations of enthusiasts.
The GT-R is not only a car; it has been an inspiration and an influence across cultures. It symbolizes dreams, motorsport domination, goals. It alone has inspired kids and adults alike like no other vehicle before or after it.
I hope R’s Meeting will continue to celebrate the GT-R especially now that we are seeing the end of their production.
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