They're turning Japanese.. but only on the straight! (From Tewkesbury Admag)

They're turning Japanese.. but only on the straight!

MAXED, modded and outrageous are three of the terms used in describing the growing sector of the Japanese import performance market.

There isn't a month goes by without the specialist-modified Press uncovering another seriously quick Skyline, Evo or GTR from the Japanese.

Years ago rumours turned into reality when 1,000 bhp Nissan GTRs started to populate the UK cruising scene. But how quick are they in a straight linestanding start quarter mile drag?

Now is the chance to find out as the first ever Jap Racer Days series is about to hit the strip running at Stratford's Shakespeare County Raceway on Sunday.

Import drag racing began in the United States in the 70s. Slowly the import movement began to gather momentum before being thrust in front of the public's eye in the late 1990s where organisations began running the first national series dedicated to imports.

The cars are not typical race cars but streetsleepers in disguise. Chosen engines are now considered to be the most technologically advanced in the world, producing more power on eco-friendly petrol than any other engines in the world.

The Jap Racer Days series is designed to find the quickest and fastest street-legal Japanese vehicle in the country.

Points will be awarded for elapsed time and top speed with an extra bonus points haul for attending all three events. With a prize fund of £1,850 on offer by season's end, this weekend's Jap Racer Day promises to be exciting, loud, and fast.

Saturday, as well as Sunday, is the second in the track's spring Public Track Days where you can run your own road car or bike. Saturday also plays host to the American Car World Street Racer Series.

Entry to the track will be £10 on Saturday and £12 on Sunday or £20 for the weekend.

The track's website at www.shakespearecountyraceway.com.