Japanese Race Track Destroyed & Turned into a Solar Farm

Sendai Highland was a famous racetrack and Japan's only real quarter-mile drag strip. It was part of a huge facility. There was a golf course, amusement park, pools, country club, and more all at this one location. But after the Tohoku earthquake in 2011, the racetrack sustained a lot of damage, and soon after it closed and was turned into a solar farm.
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[@michaellambie8427]

SAM SAM FIND THE OWNER OF THE SHOP OF THE R32

[@dapperdanbuilds]

Sadly, it's not just in Japan. We're RAPIDLY losing tracks in the US. They're getting bought up and turned into housing and warehouses.

[@kristoffermangila]

And then there's the NIMBYs... #CleetusMcFarland nearly lost his Freedom Factory track, despite the fact that the track was already there before they moved into the neighborhood. And these A-holes are threatening to close Laguna Seca.

[@scottloersch555]

Is happening all around the world even here in Australia

[@xdura4350]

People suck keep on building and having houses and nothing else to do

[@kristoffermangila]

@@xdura4350 among American railfans, NIMBYs are a PITA. The are the people who obstruct projects designed to improve commuter rail transport, for example. Yakking all about their properties going down in value, forgetting the fact that the rail lines were built first. And they are behind some of the most absurd rules ever placed in rail transport history in recent memory, like the "no blowing of horns" rule in places like San Diego, for instance, where the rail is laid on the street.

[@Inveriul]

Houston race way😢😢

[@jamesjowett35]

Just remember that the solar facility is only temporary - the land will be given back to the landowner after the lease for the solar farm runs out. Not ruined forever - just the landowner needed to make money …

[@durdy911]

the contract will be renewed if need be. after so long would not make sense to invest into racing again

[@hawaiian_judge5113]

how bout, "no". This will never be a track again. Look at their agreement.

[@patricklopes-vtec]

Being honest, no one cares about drag racing in Japan. It's just too easy and boring.

[@albertskoczylas2233]

He mentions in the video that the asphalt was torn out and disposed of.

[@Billskins4dayz]

scattered thinking that ends up getting tracks closed shut ya mouth idiot

[@robertward614]

2:51 i think that might be a 62 studebaker gran turismo

[@PNWSV]

Correct

[@The101Shadow]

it is 62 studebaker gt hawk

[@Ottothegreat7]

@@The101Shadow not being a dick buy you do know GT and Grand Turismo are the same thing? Also the Hawk GT’s were produced from 62-64

[@user-zr9rx5ly6j]

Not sure on the year,but you are correct on make and model.

[@timothyvolkers5343]

I was first thinking Lincoln until I saw the rear view and thought that it was a Studebaker also

[@tucoerquilenne6765]

I would love if you could do a 2 or 3 vlog series on this track and interview some of the people who were there and maybe even chat with the new owners. This is wild that places like that existed in Japan with space being such a premium.

[@joshuacrowson1539]

bump this it would be amazing to see this story continued

[@imperial178]

@@joshuacrowson1539agreed

[@maxime_vhw]

bump

[@El_jefe_562]

Blows my mind how people just leave a full shop like that and leave. Like WTH is going on. It’s sad to see it all sit there

[@niilomakinen]

The guy still owns tthe shop its not like he just fully abondened it but yeah it is kinda crazy that he didnt bring any of the stuff to his new shop

[@El_jefe_562]

@@niilomakinen ahh I see, but yeah to leave all those parts and cars there like nothing is still crazy.

[@niilomakinen]

@@El_jefe_562 yeah but i guess its just nostalgic reasons for him

[@reynracoma9834]

Here in Oahu, Hawaii our racetrack closed down back in early 2006, I was drag racing my stock KA24DE 240sx going 16.5s, till i upgraded with an ebay intake, full 2.5 exhaust with APEXi N1 muffler, APEXi S-AFC tuned a little, Centerforce clutch and a welded diff then I was going consistent 15.9s, I almost got a perfect launch with a .499 redlight and a .501, shortly I got into drifting right before the track closed and my SR swap... man I miss those days and we still got no track, Big Island, Maui and Kauai still have their racetrack though....

[@R3ddyDesu]

A similar thing happened to the famous drift track Sekia Hills. After some financial problems the whole place was turned into a solar panel farm, just like Sendai.

[@Welander_]

That's sad, I love watching old drift videos os Sekia. I run it all the time on Assetto

[@niilomakinen]

And the crazy thing is that the track still exists under the solar panels but it will never open again

[@RLN13S]

Bound to happen as there is just not enough money to be made. Will happen more and more in Japan as the tracks are getting older and needing repairs.

[@Memry-dq7ug]

I think they still drag race at the air strip in Izena, Okinawa. At least as of last year they still did. The Okinawa Drag Racing association traditionally put races on there three times a year. There’s videos of it on KZbin. It’s nothing too serious but looks like a lot of fun.

[@kristoffermangila]

They probably still will, what with a lot of US service members who are gearheads posted there.

[@billyj.williams2341]

@Memry-dq7ug They do still race on Izena. "Okinawan Drag Racing Organization" runs these events. Only one so far this year back in June. FYI, Izena island is about an hour ferry ride from Nago.

[@billyj.williams2341]

"Wally" Wally Parks, the founder of NHRA. Trophys won at NHRA national events have a sculpture of him standing next to a racing slick. Automotive culture is declining worldwide overall.... I have raced my entire life, its my family's business but there are attacks on our industry from Govt and they are getting more aggressive. Economy is another big problem. Corruption within racing organizations is another problem. Lastly here in the US at least, high performance parts mfgrs are suffering from constantly having their intellectual property stolen by China and many mfgrs are being bought up and merged under the umbrella of private equity corps as the people that started these companies become retirement age.

[@emanh4keem_san420]

that trophy looks sick timeless design

[@Eduardo_Espinoza]

I'm glad automotive sports is a true gender equal competition, so now we're seeing drifters like Gao Echo & potentially the other half of the gender base filling in those gaps :)

[@WesttNunezz]

You're one of the last Car content youtubers that i still enjoy to watch. You keep growing but you stay always with your roots. Love how humble you are man thank you for making the end of my day a little more tolerable...

[@simonrushen2484]

Sam you need to get a video on each of those shops they were sic as hell

[@Jon64scale]

Sammit that car is actually a 1964 Studebaker GT "aka" Gran Turismo Hawk and really enjoy these Sammit exploration and historical vids great work 👍

[@grapsorz]

that American car look like a Studebaker hawk. 60-63 somewhere?

[@weeaunsim4320]

For anyone that didn't know, Escort is the builder for Fire Ando's (Yoshiki Ando) time attack Evo IX aka the fastest Evo in Japan time attack (Tsukuba time 49.897 seconds)

[@weeaunsim4320]

Tsuchiya driving GTR clubsport in Sendai hi land back in 2010 kzbin.info/www/bejne/aXLXkmNmh6ZgatEsi=3STJ8PG4_ouZnonI

[@weeaunsim4320]

First gen R35 spec-v race in Sendai hi land back in 2009 by Tsuchiya kzbin.info/www/bejne/qmG0mK1-mtaah5osi=4G5Tw3dxz7TGMw3X

[@MetalMania3DTV-TAS-AUS]

Sad days😢, there shutting-down tracks all over the world, it started back in Queensland Australia in 1979 and on, iconic tracks of all racebikes and cars, that have been around since the sixties, thanks for showing us all Sam, Cheers 🍻 KC 🇦🇺🇦🇺🤝🇦🇺🇦🇺🇯🇵🦘🦘🌧🌧🏔🏔

[@evoTimer]

VG30DE casually sitting on the engine stand. I need a couple of those VTC gears😁

[@kaikq_]

was not expecting sam to start singing the black parade at the end lol

[@Mohawk21-oi1ni]

SAM, karaoke is not your strong point! That song , is sad , if you know what it means!!!! Sending cars as drift missiles and missing tunes( OFF KEY) HELLOFANASK FOR YOUR FANS!!!!!

[@Chris_vab]

One day we will see a sammit land 🫡

[@baileydenize1522]

Hope not

[@Fabulousprofound168]

In the next episode…. sammit buys an old race course?

[@wheeln24-79]

He'd need to sell a lot more merch I'd think

[@Jacobtheunwise]

Will never happen. Bros been on KZbin for years and almost has 1 mill subscribers and is still broke

[@christopherharris6005]

Awesome video as always Sammit. You always explore some of the most awesome places and you always do your research as much as you can find out about them. Keep up the great work.

[@duckyouall3225]

Same thing happened to another famous track sekia hills.

[@michaelgiaimo3985]

The cars look to clean for sitting for 13 years

[@carsandbikeslife.7838]

We will have the same issue in France. The only dragstrip will become a solar farm

[@MrR31power]

Definitely come back with a drone or make the hike I still have HPI DVDs with this drag strip great memories

[@myrx2]

I remember high performance imports dvds were always full of footage from here!!

[@ETH0S]

If you could somehow get a tour of that shop and miraculously purchase that R32 and restore it to its former glory, that would be insane!

[@KSwapTheWorld69]

That Abandoned Car Is Definitely A Studebaker, Which Was Its Own Company That Made Packard, Curtiss-Wright, and Some Others. That Promod Car (I THINK) Its A Volvo 122 Wagon, I Could Be Wrong, But The Doors Look Identical.

[@Fabulousprofound168]

Somewhere I have an old Options magazine with a HKS R32 GTR drag car racing at this place…

[@richardspears5384]

Man the last time I was there was late 90s.....so sad.

[@James-sir]

The body panels on the old car are still good idk about the floor probably not but ppl need those panels they don’t look to rusted out on camera but if the chassis isn’t rusted it could be saved I’m sure the chassis is rusted but I can’t see it

[@treyrodriguez9679]

I know this is a drift channel, and i love watching your drifting content. But id love to see some drag racing and how they do it over there. I am a drag racer, and have racecars, and know nothing about drifting but im addicted to this channel lmao.

[@rod.h8064]

Google maps still says that Escort is still open in that location. Looking at the historical Streetview passes what's in the driveway and yard does change. Their website is a bit broken. However it says that drag car did a 7.092 quarter in 2013 which was a Japan record. It looks like you won't find them in Sendai as their second location is in Saitama

[@Eduardo_Espinoza]

Much respect to the Japanese people for not ran sacking this sacred place, also not a lick of graffiti in Kanji nor Japanese.

[@BassManBobBassCovers]

Such an incredible facility. Tracks are being shut down more now than ever. Really sucks. Would be so sick to have that drag 32.

[@deanw9705]

Same thing happened to Shiaroi Car Land on Hokkaido and the original YZ Circuit (YZ East Circuit is basically across the road). I think they still drag race at Central Circuit.

[@sinformant]

3:37 Mercury cougar

[@kylershipman]

sad to see this track and sekia hills are solar farms

[@85aw11]

The split window beetle in that machine shop window will be worth good money. A mint one would go for at least $80g us

[@85aw11]

Also the upstairs window was open on that shop. Does Someone still live there the curtain didn't look messed up enough to open that many years

[@cd5sircoupe]

Honestly I can't tell what the American land yacht is, it doesn't look familiar to me but I can say it definitely looks early 60s. Pre-Mustang or muscle car/pony car era. If it is a Mercury, yes they're basically upmarket Ford. The Mercury Cougar was more or less a fancier Mustang for quite awhile. Then it was the Capri in the 80s that shared the Fox platform with the Stang while the Cougar got relegated to fwd econobox. For a real trip, look up the ill fated Merkur brand from the 80s, it's basically Ford but they were trying to go for European buyers. The Merkur XR4TI was fucking awesome, another Fox platform based sports car like the Stang & Capri. Knew a guy who owned one back in the day, super cool cars and pretty rare. On a side note, the b-roll music during that American car segment is very much a remix of VOJ/Narvent - Memory Reboot. 4:50 that's a nice piece, Japan's got some talented street artists. Hey, at least they're respectful and tagging up abandoned box trucks in the woods instead of the side of a building or a bridge... 8:56 What's a Moroso sign doing in Japan? That caught me off guard. They're a local Connecticut business, and my friend used to work there as a tech & fluid dynamics specialist iirc. He did a lot of bench testing with different brand oils, filters, oiling solutions, etc. Ok, Moroso aside, what's up with the rest of those signs? MSD, Simpson, Auto Meter, Earl's, NHRA, etc. These Escort guys were totally a Turn 14 dealer. That's pretty crazy to see in Japan. Makes sense that the guy went to the US and got hooked on drag racing, that explains it pretty well to be honest. I wonder why home dude didn't take his cars out of the building... And then across the street, we're in Germany now. This place must've been poppin back before the earthquake. Definitely not what I'd expect to find in the mountains of Japan. 13:30 Yo that red V35 Skyline sedan? That shit's nice. I don't recall that being a factory color. I just took mine out for a spin yesterday after a hot minute off the road. Unfortunately 3/4 of my tires still leak air pretty bad. 15:30 Hold up, the actual first R35 chassis or the V35 coupe test mule with the powertrain for the R35? Big difference.

[@Connorkinn]

Yeah i was about to say if this was the usa they would of been gone lmao crazy thats just sitting yah boi left his trophy's even is wild

[@stephanb5945]

9:01 Left lower corner window 1950´s vw beetle split window

[@steliosz2762]

I want to see that mk4 Golf again it looked cool

[@howell_124spider]

Surprising that these abandoned cars and parts don't get stolen. Great to find these places and see a glimpse of what they once were.

[@billyj.williams2341]

@howell_124spider I hope you get the opportunity to go to Japan someday and have enough time to get an understanding for Japanese culture.... once you have, you'll understand why it hasn't happened.

[@jmccarsnmore1025]

Sad but interesting story. Perfect for a documentary.

[@waynesummers7384]

Find High Octane dvd’s and I am pretty sure they did some coverage on the drag racing there.

[@mrfordfairmont]

it was still there in 4/2014 it was track by google maps... 5/2018 it was flat 10/2018 solar farm part completed the shop "escort" the red car at the back is to clean to just be parked there he was there.... same with the shop over the road the vw golf in the corner near the shop was to clean...

[@SammyRavage]

2011 wasnt that when the Fukushima incident happened

[@millennialchicken]

i'm glad we at least got the track as a mod for AC so we can remember the track in our own way

[@TheGuyOutdoors1]

I think the first car was a 60s Ford cortina/ lotus cortina. But it also has some body lines like a Ford Fairlane or Ford falcon. The Falcon was more gangster car, square looking though. Not certain but I would guess a 60s cortina.

[@Jon64scale]

Sammit great vid 👍 it's a shame Drag Racing isn't as big in Japan as it is everywhere else don't understand why it's not with such a huge automotive following in Japan 🤔

[@ismaelmarrero8377]

This is a very amazing video I all way tough why wasn't there a drag racing track in japan and now I know plus the auto parts store with all the drag racing thing in it a sure would love to see more of it.

[@nischalgosyne8916]

I was there on the track 2012 its sad to see wat has become of the track

[@Pepss86]

High performance imports DVD from Australia had a segment on the Sendai drags

[@Dreadnaught503]

Them deep woods got bears son.

[@starlxrd868]

Don’t think Japan got bears in the wild

[@angry_ginger_4205]

Split window vw beatle dope

[@DoomSh0T]

That abandoned American car looks like a chevy Bel Air

[@scottloersch555]

Is a shame is no one else that decided this had to be done before everything was converted so much history gone and barley any records of what it once was such a beautiful place you can tell from watching the old racing videos such a shame it was left to rot and ever got to this state to begin with

[@drsvenoo]

I wonder if drag racing is even a thing over in japan

[@hecks_b_rex4010]

That would have never lasted in America that abandoned shop with those cars and parts! Would been stolen 😂

[@jonathanmackin4130]

3:39 A studabaker … American made. But I am sure someone has already said it…if not ;)

[@jeffgadd8711]

That’s the only drag strip in Japan? I live in Las Vegas Nevada in the USA and we have a 4 wide drag strip. We have lots of drag strips

[@Yurei_sf]

They only had one due to American drag racing not being that big in Japan so they never cared to build more.

[@emanh4keem_san420]

slowly demolished lil by lil by irresponsible company

[@christophercoconis2575]

The old American car is a Studebaker Hawk I believe for the early 60's. It's definitely a Studebaker thou.

[@davedevoe6659]

I believe that first American car is a ford thunderbird

[@steventopping106]

Thats a VW Squareback drag car next to the fake split Beetle.

[@ryansantiago941]

Wow that camera zoom is LOUD

[@isunamitch]

DAMN!!! I'd love to see if there are some other abandoned cars. Japan could build solar "farm" on top on existing car parks!!! that would protect the parked cars from the sun and potentially provide power to recharge electric vehicles... My Z32 friend that you know, he knows Escort, he worked with them for a while!! Maybe contact him he will put you in contact ?

[@LegacyThoughts]

Karaoke outros from here on out. haha

[@lesliegrace8360]

19:29 Snitch 😁

[@Fabulousprofound168]

That old car is a 60’s Studebaker Hawk GT… kind of sad to see it like that 😢

[@genggonegarage]

it's happen all around the world,no more tracks & getting less tracks here.

[@haydenjones6537]

I think you just found your next mission my bro.. open up a drag track 👌🏾 I know that sounds easy but Cleet did it🤷🏾‍♂️ Who knows my bro🤜🏾🤛🏼

[@AdamForeman]

Sam, are you able to get permission to do a historical view of the old race circuit with your racing credentials as proof of your interest in the area? You never know if they would like it filmed for historical reference

[@Obsidian-Nebula]

That whole thing is probably a remnant of the economic bubble from 80s she billions(in today's) were being dropped on e.g. golf courses and so on. Also, that so was not left alone for 20 years. Most of the things would have fallen over during the earthquake

[@wiljohnson5247]

1963 Studebaker 3:49

[@v4lo03]

dis video maid me cry

[@vkwhitehead]

There an opportunity for all the youtube community to build up a grass roots tracks again

[@gus_179]

damnn such a nostalgia track... 14:53 huh is that the crown he owned?

[@heavNz]

i suposse this is an older video, which he didnt post or planned for later as a filler

[@heavNz]

oh never mind at 18:10 he said why

[@vincentfourniermk4]

sammit why didnt you show us the volkswagen the mk2 and the mk4 that looks like a golf r32

[@maxime_vhw]

Ayoo 9:04 there is a split window beetle in that shop (magic machine service) Aint those worth a pretty penny?

[@sgtscowl]

I asked Capt 26 this a while ago and your now touching it, what is the drag race scene like in Japan, you had a vid from r34 day at fuji (couple o years ago) where they had a top fuel funny car just warming up static. Is it a noise thing? Full on Pro drag racing has a noise, an excessive noise for some. I would guess its lack of desire, that influence hasn't crossed over but its still an interesting question given the love of fast cars and making them go faster.

[@bobbysauer7826]

@3:35 @sammit casually touching poison ivy 😊

[@SammyRavage]

That's not poison ivy

[@heydigighost]

kudzu xD for anyone wondering

[@SammyRavage]

@@heydigighost lol that stuff is all over the place here.

[@bobbysauer7826]

@@heydigighost lol i dont go anywhere near a vine with a 3 leaves shaped like that, nope ive learned the hard way

[@bobbysauer7826]

@@heydigighost damn even on google allot of people get them confused it seems

[@HarlemNeeson-Welch]

The American car from the start of the video looks like a DeSoto

[@redman4527]

Sam you should look the owner up to ask for a tour or if he is willing to sell you or your your fans some of that stuff.

[@kenkeneki1411]

it's the way of life. look at all the abandon NASCAR trackes we have in the US SAMMIT. yes it sad but it is what it is. if the cost to running it or like you said fix it out ways the revnue it make's they let it go. it a shame but that's life.

[@cody2038]

Really sad to see this.

[@SifuMing]

You missed the white Karman Ghia next to the bug super rare

[@thatoneguywon4527]

You should find the owner of the facility and work out a deal for the car stuff.

[@matesgamingchannelv2279]

When I was probably 8 it had it's last witch is sad especially that I'm a huge fan of drag racing

[@michaellambie8427]

It looks like a Studebaker '50s

[@davidbyrd7521]

Could be a mercury cugar they looked kinda like mustangs

[@Genx420]

I think that one car you found you didn't know what it was as a Ford Anglia

[@Revaluating]

actual time capsule

[@ArunKumar-pj6cr]

It's like the Cars movie

[@PPsoolong]

didnt even know japan knew what drag racing was

[@XURXZZ]

damnit sammit 😢

[@travdripdrip382]

Can you imagine if the US put its citizens first like Japan does. I guess when you have a president that can't think what do you expect

[@ogremgtow990]

Looks like a 56 Merc

[@oatmeal66666]

at least its not a neighborhood lol

[@AmirPomen]

Is this the famous Sendai HighLand track? Noooooooo... This track was featured in famous Jackie Chan movie named Thunderbolt... Alongside the equivalent legendary track in Malaysia 🇲🇾 called Batu 3 Speedway Circuit (BTSC) Shah Alam... Both track featured in the movie... Sad fact..now both track destroyed in the name of future development... The Batu 3 Speedway was demolished in mid 2000 for luxury housing development 😔😔😔 So tragically both circuit only lives forever in that Thunderbolt Movie 😔

[@SasukeGarage55]

Is Graffiti new to japan or bing dare for a long time look like dare more