A special exhibition titled "Racing & Railway History," showcasing the pinnacle of automobile racing, Formula 1 cars, alongside Shinkansen and other railcars, has opened at the Kyoto Railway Museum in Kyoto City's Shimogyo Ward. Visitors can enjoy comparing the technology of vehicles that emerged in the same era and continue to hone their speed.
Honda became the first Japanese automaker to compete in F1 in 1964, the same year the Tokaido Shinkansen opened. The two sports, each pursuing speed with the latest technology of their respective eras, share many similarities, leading to a full-scale collaboration between the Kyoto Railway Museum, JR West, and Honda Racing (HRC, Asaka City, Saitama Prefecture), Honda's racing division.
The exhibition will run in two parts: the first half (until November 16th) and the second half (until December 21st). During the first half, Honda's first F1 car, the RA271, will be displayed next to the 0-series Shinkansen, which was launched in 1964. Also on display are the Lotus Honda 99T (1987) and the 500 Series Shinkansen (1997), both of which are equipped with active suspension, which electronically controls posture while in motion.
In the later part of the exhibition, vehicles that are committed to being made in Japan will be exhibited alongside the 230 Series steam locomotive, which was Japan's first mass-produced locomotive, introduced in 1903, and the RA107, which competed in the 2007 Formula One race and whose body, engine, and tires are all made in Japan.
Also on display as "vehicles that were ahead of their time" are the 100 Series Shinkansen (1989), which features double-decker cars to improve comfort and service, and the McLaren Honda MP4/4, which was driven by the late Ayrton Senna and others and won the 1988 championship with an overwhelming record of 15 wins out of 16 races.
HRC President Koji Watanabe will visit the museum on October 23, the first day of the exhibition. The group spent about an hour touring the exhibits, including the special exhibition and preserved railway vehicles, while receiving explanations from Kyoto Railway Museum staff. President Koji Watanabe commented, "Both railways and F1 are at the cutting edge of mobility, and they share many commonalities. I hope visitors will discover the fascinating aspects of each."
The exhibit's organizer, Takahiro Kitano (46 years old), a huge F1 fan himself, said, "I hope that many people, regardless of whether they're train or car fans, will enjoy the exhibit, and that some of the children who visit will become future engineers."
During the exhibition, talk shows featuring former F1 drivers and current racers will also be held. On November 15th and 16th, Satoru Nakajima, the first Japanese to compete full-time in F1 in 1987, and Tomoki Nojiri and Ayumu Iwasa, who compete in Japan's top Super Formula series, will appear. There will also be opportunities to experience riding in the cockpit of cars such as the McLaren-Honda MP4/5, which competed in the 1989 F1 race, and the NSX-GT, which competed in the domestic Super GT race.
On December 20th and 21st, guests will include Kakunoshin Ota (from Kyoto City's Shimogyo Ward), who competes in Super Formula and US championships, Super Formula driver Tadasuke Makino, and Aguri Suzuki, the first Japanese to achieve a third-place podium finish at the 1990 F1 Japanese Grand Prix. There will also be a demonstration of the V12 engine starting up of the McLaren-Honda MP4/6, which won the F1 championship in 1991.
Special exhibitions and events are free, but an admission fee is required. Closed on Wednesdays.
