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for The Fast and the Furious: Tokyo Drift( 2006) movie. Then, in 2008, an Australian friend invited him to Nagoya, where he lives today with his Japanese wife and son, Georgie, aged 3.
“ The highest level I’ ve competed in was in 2010, when I was offered— purely by chance— a drive in a new Lamborghini Gallardo GT4 while working at the Sepang Circuit in Malaysia”, he added.“ That was a thrill”.
“ The most exciting cars that I have driven are mainly Porsches. My all-time favourite is the 996 GT3 RS. This is the stripped out, bare bones 911.
“ Aside from Porsche, I am a big fan of Ferrari. However, on a realistic level, the Mitsubishi Evolution range of cars is simply amazing. [ Their ] valueperformance ratio cannot be beaten”.
Wolstenholme moved to Japan in 2008 and operates a business from his Nagoya home where he sources, purchases and exports classic cars for customers in the UK.
But his ultimate aim is to get behind the wheel of a racing car on a full-time basis in Japan.
“ My long-term goal is to drive in the Japanese Super GT Championship”, he said.
Drifting is when the driver intentionally oversteers, causing loss of traction in the rear wheels.
“ There are many ways to get into GT racing, and the main method— I’ m sad to say— depends on the size of your wallet.
“ My plan is to spend the next two years becoming known, and then pay a team to drive their car on a race-by-race system.
“ The budget for GT racing is about ¥ 4mn for one race. However, as it is televised in Japan as well as abroad and has a big following, the marketing potential is there. Some drivers are
supported by big brands such as Rolex and Coca-Cola”.
One thing Wolstenholme rules out is a return to Europe for a taste of Formula One.
“ Not a chance! At 190cm and the wrong side of 90kg, I doubt I would even fit in an F1 car. My sights are firmly set on International GT racing.
“ It’ s on a completely different level”, he added.
Welcome to Japan 3 ways of Living 7 lives in Tokyo
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