by: Chuck Lemaster
Tuesday, November 24, 2015 | 2:10 PM
Every year, GNCC Racing sends a pro racer to Japan to compete in the JNCC Series while JNCC sends a racer to us every year. We call it an “exchange program!” This year, we sent pro racer, Chris Bach along with his mechanic, Eric Siraton and GNCC Extraordinaire, Jared Bolton. GNCCRacing.com caught up with Chris and Jared to ask a few questions!
GNCCRacing.com: So we are going to ask some questions, “Two Tribes” style! I know you both got back from Japan and we would like your individual perspective. So here goes…
Ever been to Japan before?
Chris: First time for me
Jared: First time! Hopefully not the last time either. I’d love to go again.
Most interesting thing you saw?
Chris: Beer vending machines in the streets. Like, we have Coke machines, they have beer machines!
Jared: It’s between seeing zero trash on the streets of Tokyo or the fact the racers stay between the lines of track tape at all times.
Weirdest thing you ate?
Chris: I’m not much on sushi, but I tried a couple small variations of fish early in the trip only to confirm I definitely don’t like sushi!
Jared: I’m pretty open to trying food, so nothing struck me as too weird. But, there were a couple things that I still have no idea what they were!
Biggest difference between Japan and the USA?
Chris: The overwhelming use of public transportation. Not many people own or drive cars.
Jared: The Japanese are fairly quiet and don’t stare. I like that. Also, I really like the fact that Japanese racers stay between the lines of track tape no matter what!(Editor’s note: Jared has helped lay out GNCC tracks and will be taking a bigger role in the future. Look for more “lines of track tape” in 2016!)
Best movie you saw on the flight to/from Japan? (That’s 28+ hours of flying!)
Chris: I think I only watched one movie on the way over and one on the way back; Trainwreck with Amy Schumer and The Departed with Leonardo DiCaprio. I prefer to do a lot of reading when flying.
Jared: The new Jurassic World movie definitely exceeded my expectations. I also watched The Departed for about the 15th time and that one just never gets old. I was just disappointed that they didn't have Smokey and the Bandit.
Worst movie?
Chris: Neither were bad.
Jared: I didn’t dislike any of the ones I watched, but The Gambler with Mark Wahlberg didn’t really hold my attention very well.
Was Chris Bach the tallest man on the planet?
Chris: For sure. However, I did see TWO other guys who were way taller than average. I saw them, they saw me, we locked eyes… It got weird!
Jared: Undoubtedly. He looked like a giraffe.
Was Jared taller than anybody?
Chris: I’d say he was above average height by Japanese standards.
Jared: Surprisingly, while I’m not overly tall, turns out that hovering slightly under 6 foot in Japan is still pretty tall!
Best food/drink from a vending machine?
Chris: I only got a Coke from a vending machine the day before we left. But we did see beer machines all over!
Jared: I had some Wasabi chicken wing chips that were amazing!
Did you learn any Japanese words?
Chris: Arigato – “thanks.” I picked up a few, but this one was pretty key.
Jared: Ikimashou! “Let’s go!”
Get any sleep?
Chris: Getting sleep wasn’t a problem, but the time frame was tough. We were sleeping from 7pm and waking up at 4am every day.
Jared: I fell asleep around 8pm most nights we were there, so I definitely wasn’t lacking on sleep!
Are you craving Ramen Noodles right now?
Chris: I don’t eat Ramen! [laughs] I’m craving ShabuShabu in Tokyo!
Jared: You know, our Ramen here is pretty good but it just doesn’t compare. I had noodles with actual pieces of fried chicken in it and it was amazing!
See any wildlife?
Chris: I didn’t see anything crazy. Some of the other guys saw monkeys, though!
Jared: I got to see monkeys! That was pretty cool!
So overall, what did you think?
Chris: Submerging ourselves in a foreign culture surrounded by volcanic landscape that has a beauty unmatched in America, with an amazing group of individuals was an amazing experience I will always be grateful for and never forget.
Jared: Overall it was simply amazing. Japan is an incredibly beautiful country that I really hope I get to visit again one day. Everyone is very nice, polite and definitely make you feel like you’re welcome. Even roaming the streets of Tokyo at night with Chris and Eric, I never once felt like I was in any sort of danger. The race itself was fantastic as well. The course looked very fun and I hope I can go again with the opportunity to ride next time.
And finally, I know there are some “thank-you’s” you’d like to extend:
Chris: Racer Productions and the JNCC family for making the trip possible. Eric, Hide, JCR Honda and all our sponsors, HGA, Yoshi, Ayako, Jared, Josh, Cam, the Hawkins family. Everyone involved made this a very special trip.
Jared: Huge thanks to Racer Productions and specifically Carrie Russell for giving me the opportunity to go on this amazing trip. Big thanks to Masami Hoshino and the entire JNCC crew. Those guys do a fantastic job and I really felt welcome at the race. HUGE thanks to our Japanese tour guides Yoshi Kawana and Ayako Koikeda for being a huge help and taking the time to show us around. Plus big thanks to everyone else involved from the GNCC Racing Nation; of course Chris Bach, Eric Siraton, Josh Strang, Cameron Kluttz, plus Randy Hawkins and his whole family. I also owe a huge thanks to my girlfriend Kayla for putting up with me being gone for a whole week!
