Eddie's Tokyo Tour Album

Atlas F1

Eddie's Tokyo Tour Album


Three weeks ago, when Irvine arrived at Japan for the final race of 1998, he yet again made a stop in Tokyo. Here are some of his memoirs

To many foreign visitors, Tokyo can be a strange and alienating place on first sight. But for Ferrari driver Eddie Irvine, it’s a home away from home.

Eddie raced in the Japanese F3000 series from 1991 to 1993, before graduating to F1. During that time he fell in love with Tokyo to such an extent that he was almost reluctant to make the career move which changed his life - because he thought he might miss his favourite city too much! However, he still manages to renew his acquaintance with Tokyo twice a year.

He likes to stop off there for a few days on the way from Europe to the Australian GP each March, and then in October he makes sure that he heads East a week before the Japanese GP, so he can fit in a few days of end-of-season relaxation.

"I’ve always enjoyed Tokyo," says Irvine. "I feel very comfortable there, and the Japanese GP is like a home race. The people are also very friendly and enthusiastic. I just like seeing old friends, and maybe making new ones." Home for Irvine in Tokyo is the President Hotel, which over 10 years ago became established as an unofficial base for nearly all the foreign drivers who raced in Japan.

Many F1 drivers have stayed there at one time or another, and while there are bigger hotels in the city, Irvine loves the friendly, personal service provided by the President staff, who all recognise him. Every time Eddie arrives he knows he’ll find the things he stores at the hotel between visits - including the portable stereo for his room...

He also has the most important tool for any Tokyo visit - his bicycle. He says he likes nothing better than getting on his bike and riding around the city, visiting favourite shops and restaurants and just soaking up Tokyo’s unique, colourful atmosphere. "Getting off the plane, catching the train into the city and checking into the hotel and then getting straight on the bike and heading off for a ride around," he says. "The best way to see everything is by bike."

A favourite daytime stop for any visitor is the bustling Harajuku district, where on Sundays a tree-lined avenue is closed off and becomes a focal point for pedestrians and street entertainers. Eddie also likes to browse in CD shops, and he always checks out his favourite F1 fan’s Aladdin’s Cave, which sells an amazing selection of books, magazines and model cars. He’s always recognised there, and oblige surprised fellow shoppers by signing autographs.

In the evenings the Roppongi area is usually Eddie’s focus of attention. In the shadow of Tokyo Tower, Roppongi is a popular destination for any foreigner, famed for its restaurants, bars and nightspots. Eddie’s favourite stop is the Hard Rock Cafe, where he enjoys the musical atmosphere, but he also loves trying more traditional fare in quieter Japanese restaurants. Later he might join some friends on the dancefloor at his favourite disco. "It’s a rare chance for a busy driver to let his hair down," as he puts it.

By Thursday morning, it was time for Eddie to head off to the serious business of the Japanese GP. That means catching a cab to Tokyo station, and boarding a bullet train for the first leg of the trip to Suzuka. That’s when the working part of his trip began, and that's where it ended, on the second step of the podium - yet another strong performance by Suzuka's homeboy.

Click on the images to enlarge
 
click to enlarge
 
click to enlarge
 
click to enlarge
 
click to enlarge
 
click to enlarge
 
click to enlargeclick to enlargeclick to enlarge


Atlas F1© 1998 Atlas Formula One Journal.
Send comments to: comments@atlasf1.com Terms & Conditions