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Marc Holstein would possibly be German, however he’s a large fan of Japanese tradition—and an excellent greater fan of Japan’s spellbinding bike scene. The ace photographer splits his time between Frankfurt and Tokyo, is an everyday face on the uber-popular Mooneyes present, and has been behind the workshop doorways of a few of Japan’s most enigmatic customized builders.
Marc’s newest journey took him two hours northeast of Tokyo, to the picture-perfect coastal city of Oarai for the annual Oarai Solar Seaside Sand Flat’s race weekend.
Now in its second yr, the Oarai Solar Seaside Sand Flat’s occasion is a throwback to the American seaside racing of the Forties. A few hundred classic bikes and automobiles descend upon the sunny seaside city for the weekend, kicking up sand and flirting with the Pacific surf on a 1/Tenth-mile monitor, whereas scores of spectators cheer them on.
The emphasis is on fashion; capturing the environment of the heyday of seaside racing. However although the automobiles and opponents seem like they simply stepped out of a time capsule, the classic vibe does little to uninteresting their aggressive edge.
“Not like some occasions I’ve seen in Europe that are inclined to focus extra on the present, this one was all about critical racing and beating the competitors,” Marc tells us. “The extent of ability and pace among the many contributors was actually spectacular, and it was inspiring to see a major variety of feminine riders participating too.”
“Among the many standout personalities on the occasion was Kazuo Fukada from the family-owned Buddy Customs cycle store in Yokohama. Each he and his son Kosuke are famend for his or her pace on the monitor and their experience in constructing Harley Davidson engines. Kazuo’s daughter Mizuki not solely races but additionally excels in artistic graphic design and did a implausible job because the flag woman.”
“One other exceptional rider who caught my consideration was Atsushi ‘Sushi’ Yasui, fearlessly dashing by numerous lessons and creating stiff competitors, significantly within the ’45’ class finals the place he was in the end bested by Kazuo. Sushi additionally heads the Freewheelers firm, recognized for his or her cutting-edge leather-based jackets and clothes.”
“Total, it was a lovely occasion crammed with great folks, and I used to be delighted to fulfill and work together with everybody there.”
Appropriately, Marc shot virtually all the pieces on the Oarai Solar Seaside Sand Flat’s weekend on Kodak Gold 200 movie (save for the high-speed panning photographs, which had been taken together with his digital rig). We’ve chosen 34 of his finest pictures on your perusal—so prime up your glass, flip by the galleries on this web page, and begin planning your subsequent journey to Oarai.
Pictures by, and with particular because of, Marc Holstein.
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