Drift Tengoku — October 2013

The one everyone asks for by name

Take a look at the items professionals rely on

Adhesive tape edition

These are not unusual items, but when many brands offer them, some people insist on a particular manufacturer. For professionals, that choice is not just personal preference; performance matters too. “Shimei-gai” means…

Buying by name

“If we run out, I’ll go buy some even in the middle of the night or early morning!” says Ikeda, a V-OPT newcomer. There are many colors, and one roll costs about ¥400. You can buy it at a home center.

“Na…” (fragment unclear)

Cloth-backed adhesive tape

V-OPT staff stop work and go out to buy this if they run out! Teraoka cloth adhesive tape #1535

CCD cameras and wiring are secured with it; D1 GP teams have recently used Teraoka tape to attach DOSS antennas too. At Suzuka, one driver’s antenna came loose and caused a problem, but this time…

“Village” (OCR fragment unclear)

The ultimate choice for not missing the moment

Teraoka…

A CCD camera for in-car filming was attached with tape.

Teraoka refers to Teraoka Seisakusho, founded in 1923. It is a long-established adhesive-tape maker. The tape is not expensive and is sold at ordinary home centers, but a professional endorsement makes you take notice. I think I’ll choose Teraoka…

In D1, antennas are taped to the roof, and duct tape is useful in all sorts of situations. Sunpros staff, who produce V-OPT, insist “it has to be this one” and keep Teraoka tape on hand.

“Buying by name” means choosing a particular maker or brand when many companies sell similar products for the same purpose. The choice is not based on comparing prices or convenience; you have already decided…

…tape.

They forgot duct tape and bought some random kind at a convenience store…

…and have experienced important equipment falling off or being unable to shoot video.

…and so on.

They have even knocked on the shutters of small shops late at night or early in the morning…

So when attaching a race number or repairing a bumper…

For repairs too, try making a point of using Teraoka tape.

They have also searched around asking, “Do you have Teraoka duct tape?”

Body shops are delighted with the performance of the latest version! 3M…

Masking Tape 243 Plus

The 100-yen-shop versions are seriously risky.

It is made of washi paper, is 0.08 mm thick, and withstands 120°C for 60 minutes. The OCR shows adhesion 1.06, tensile strength “2,” and 7% elongation, but these figures are unclear; compare them with other products as a rough guide.

Nichiban is pretty good too, but I prefer 3M. “The 18 mm and 50 mm rolls are indispensable for my work,” says Awaji of New Type.

Masking tape is used not only for painting; it is also used often by street racers…

It is a frequently used tape for street racers. Because it leaves little residue, people use it for race numbers and taping lights, even though that is not its intended use (and we are not recommending it).

His go-to brand had changed its model a while ago…

The popular 243 was originally washi-based with moderate adhesion. The latest version tears less easily, is easier to apply around curves, has better heat resistance, and leaves less residue. It withstands one hour of drying at 120°C…

There are surprisingly many different kinds.

You can buy it at 100-yen shops, and home centers stock several varieties.

Cheap, unbranded tape can be so sticky that it leaves residue…

Body-shop professionals who know masking tape…

A popular choice is Scotch brand by 3M—the yellow one. “I’ve used 3M for over ten years. I like how it comes off cleanly after being left on window frames, and how it stretches. The green one is awful; I hardly ever use it.”

…or be weak against heat and turn gummy when removed. In the worst case, paint can seep underneath, so be careful!