The Little-Known Japanese Race Series Hiding One of the Coolest Cars Ever Built
Hidden Thrillcraft - Racing culture is full of unexpected corners where fascinating machines quietly exist beyond mainstream attention, and Japan has always excelled at nurturing these niche worlds. Among them is a series that surfaced in the early 2010s with an unusually bold approach: instead of relying on familiar production cars, it introduced a purpose-built machine crafted solely for competition. That choice set the Inter Proto Race Series apart from the moment it arrived, even if most enthusiasts outside Japan never realized it existed.
The Inter Proto Kuruma. (Picture from: RoadAndTrack)
Established in 2013, the series invited both seasoned professionals and gentleman drivers to challenge each other on legendary Japanese circuits under truly equal conditions. Achieving that competitive balance required more than choosing a common platform—it required creating one. The organizers commissioned their own dedicated race car, ultimately known as the Inter Proto Kuruma, built not from any road-going template but entirely from scratch to deliver a pure and consistent driving experience.
The Inter Proto Kuruma. (Picture from: RoadAndTrack)
The engineering behind the Kurumareflects a commitment to straightforward performance. It features a carbon-fiber monocoque for rigidity and lightness, a naturally aspirated V6 producing 335 horsepower, and a sequential transmission designed for quick, purposeful shifts. Every element of the car exists for the track, from its tightly focused mechanical setup to the way its structure prioritizes responsiveness over comfort. Yet despite its racing intentions, the car visually reads as far more approachable than most dedicated competition machines.
The Inter Proto Kuruma. (Picture from: RoadAndTrack)
Unlike many modern race cars covered in wings, vents, and aggressively sculpted aerodynamics, the Kuruma carries a subtle exterior that almost echoes the proportions of a street car. Its smooth bodywork and minimal aero details make it look like something that might slip into traffic unnoticed—at least until the engine fires and the illusion is broken. A road-legal version was never produced, leaving fans to imagine what it might have been like to drive such a balanced, lightweight machine beyond track boundaries. | s_dIGTW_qWI |
When it debuted in 2012, Japan’s iconic automotive program Best Motoring offered a rare deep look at the Kuruma, walking through its design and capturing onboard footage that revealed just how lively and communicative it could be in motion. Today, the car stands as a snapshot of a time when the idea of building a bespoke one-make racer still felt daring and personal. Even as modern motorsport trends toward electrification and aerodynamic complexity, the Inter Proto Kuruma remains a reminder of how compelling a simple, focused machine can be—an obscure but captivating piece of Japan’s racing landscape. *** [EKA | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | ROADANDTRACK ]
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The Little-Known Japanese Race Series Hiding One of the Coolest Cars Ever Built
When it debuted in 2012, Japan’s iconic automotive program Best Motoring offered a rare deep look at the Kuruma, walking through its design and capturing onboard footage that revealed just how lively and communicative it could be in motion. Today, the car stands as a snapshot of a time when the idea of building a bespoke one-make racer still felt daring and personal. Even as modern motorsport trends toward electrification and aerodynamic complexity, the Inter Proto Kuruma remains a reminder of how compelling a simple, focused machine can be—an obscure but captivating piece of Japan’s racing landscape. *** [EKA | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | ROADANDTRACK ]
