Go Japan! 2026 brought Time Attack, Racing Hondas, drifting and a huge celebration of Japanese automotive culture to the Brands Hatch Indy Circuit, turning the Kent venue into a busy mix of motorsport and Japanese car culture over the Bank Holiday Monday.
While the circuit provided a full day of competitive action, there was just as much happening away from the track. Japanese cars filled the display areas, ranging from familiar performance icons to heavily modified builds, while trade stands, food, cosplay and entertainment added to the festival atmosphere.
The crowds reflected the event’s popularity, with the main areas becoming particularly busy at points during the day as spectators moved between the circuit and the extensive car displays.
Go Japan! brought together Japanese car club displays representing manufacturers including Honda, Toyota, Nissan and Subaru, alongside the Obsession Car Show’s handpicked selection of standout builds. Itasha cars covered in artwork inspired by anime, manga and video games added another dimension to the displays, while a Japanese Legends section featured everything from unique one-off builds to iconic race cars.
On track, Time Attack provided the outright speed. Rather than racing for position, competitors were focused entirely on finding clear track and producing the fastest possible lap around the Indy Circuit.
Images by Jamie Nash
Following morning warm-ups, the Time Attack field progressed through Attack 1 and Attack 2 before the final Super Attack sessions provided the last opportunity to chase lap times.
Luke Sedzikowski topped the Pro runners in his Honda NSX with a 46.318-second lap. Andrew Gallacher was second in his Mitsubishi Evo on 47.350, with Josh Barrett completing the top three in a Caterham 620R with a 47.464.
There was plenty of pace throughout the other classes, with several competitors also breaking class records during the afternoon. Aleksandr Volkov took Club Pro with a 48.694, setting a new class lap record, while Ryan Barker’s K24-powered Renault Megane claimed Club 2WD with a 50.655 and another new record.
Dean Riley added a third class record with a 50.813 in the Vauxhall VX220 to top Classic & Retro. Clive Hopwell led Clubman with a 52.265, David Dyson topped Clubman+ with a 52.889, Gary Papworth took Pocket Rocket FI with a 52.893 and Luke Krassismenou headed Pocket Rocket NA with a 53.706.
While Time Attack concentrated on outright lap time, Racing Hondas provided the closer, more traditional wheel-to-wheel racing.
The championship contested two races during the afternoon, with the short Indy Circuit keeping the field tightly bunched and ensuring there was little room for error. The level of commitment was evident even before the races, with one Honda running across the grass during qualifying and throwing dirt into the air.
Bob Barron emerged victorious in the opening race, although Dave Buky kept the pressure on throughout. Barron eventually crossed the line just 1.579 seconds clear of Buky, with Fraser McNeill completing the podium.
Barron also recorded the fastest lap of the race with a 51.803, while Rob Boston took the Class B victory.
Race 2 produced a different winner as McNeill converted his pace into victory. Buky once again finished second, making it two podiums from two races, while James Alford completed the top three.
Barron remained one of the quickest drivers on track, setting the fastest lap with a 51.756, but his race ended after 11 laps. Boston completed his day with another Class B victory, setting a 53.017 fastest lap for the class.
Between the Time Attack runs and Racing Hondas races, the circuit was also treated to something considerably more sideways.
Drift Pro Allstars staged three demonstrations during the day, with sessions at lunchtime, during the afternoon and shortly before the final Racing Hondas race. The arrival of the drift cars immediately changed the character of the circuit, with tyre smoke filling the air as the drivers attacked the corners with huge angles.
The demonstrations provided a sharp contrast to the precision of Time Attack. Instead of chasing the perfect racing line and fastest lap, the drift drivers were deliberately putting their cars sideways, creating some of the most dramatic visual moments of the day.
The variety continued away from the circuit, where the Japanese car displays remained busy throughout the event. Visitors could move between restored classics, modern performance cars, heavily modified builds and the more unusual creations that have become such a major part of Japanese car culture.
The wider entertainment programme added to the sense that Go Japan! was more than simply a race meeting. Maids of England provided a dedicated cosplay presence, while manga workshops, Japanese food and drink and a variety of trade stands gave spectators plenty to explore between the on-track sessions.
The timetable itself ensured there was little opportunity for the venue to go quiet. The first Time Attack cars headed out for warm-up at 9am, with action continuing through the day before the final Racing Hondas race brought the scheduled circuit programme to a close. A Super Car Parade and public pit walk added further activity alongside the racing and demonstrations.
By the end of the Bank Holiday Monday, Go Japan! had delivered a combination that is rarely seen at Brands Hatch. Time Attack supplied the outright pace, Racing Hondas brought close competition, Drift Pro Allstars provided the smoke and spectacle, while the extensive car displays and entertainment celebrated the wider Japanese automotive scene.
For a venue more commonly associated with traditional race meetings, Go Japan! offered something distinctly different — a full day where lap records, close racing, tyre smoke and Japanese car culture shared the same paddock and circuit.
