Paul Castillo's "TOP SECRET" Skyline
1999 R34 V Spec GT-R fully built by Top Secret. I am running a RB28 with a single TO4Z turbo, HKS V Cam, huge ARC
intercooler, oil cooler. For suspension, Aragosta and Ikeya Formula have that covered while 19 X 9.5 f/r Volk Racing
Progressive Split rims with 275/30 f/r rubber keep me planted on the ground. Top Secret (TS) CF hood, front bumper, CF front
and rear diffuser, Do-Luck wear wing. The exterior is sprayed in Midnight Purple III while the interior received a full Robson
Leather makeover with plenty of CF, as well.
To keep me informed of how slow I am going, a Defi HUD is used along with NISMO 320kmh white face gauges. Trust me,
there was pretty much nothing that was not touched while this car was built and tuned by TS, especially the HKS Fcon V pro.
What helps this car exhale, besides the external VTA waste gate is the one off hand built full titanium TS exhaust. At around
4,000 RPM’s is when things get interesting and loud, both inside and outside the car. Stopping this car is not an issue with the
Brembo F50 set up and neither is bite with an ATS twin plate.
Carbon8: First off, what’s your background and what drew you to Tokyo?
Paul: I’m an army man. I grew up in Del Rio, Tx, near the border of Mexico. The USAF is responsible for giving me the
assignment to Japan, not that it was a bad thing, just unexpected. As soon as I got here the quest was on for getting something
different for me. My first car here was a 1995 GTS-T Type M Skyline, then I bought a 95 white R33 GT-R, then a 96 LM V Spec
R33 GT-R and now I have what you see.
Carbon8 Staff Do you speak Japanese?
Hai, domo arigato Mr. Roboto. Well, I know enough to get around and get out of trouble, if that ever happens. It is very helpful
to know certain things in order to obtain beer, food and talk about cars, of course. Other than that, you can just point at
whatever you want to eat–as most menus have pictures anyways.
Carbon8: What are some of the common misconceptions Americans have of Japan and the Japanese people?
Paul: First of all, everyone thinks that stuff is way cheaper here than in the US. It is not always that way, but quite often it is.
Another thing is that Americans think that the Japanese should speak English. When in Rome….. I just hate going somewhere
where you see an American talking louder to have the Japanese understand them (in English), as if that is going to help; they
are not deaf you moron.
Carbon8: What’s the racing scene like over there?
Paul: It is so different, where do I begin? Well, there are some ricers (Editor’s note: We’d take out this term in order not
alienate part of our readership... if it wasn’t so damn funny...) here as well, but not to the extent as in the US. I think the big
difference is when we meet up and just hang out. People just want to chill and not talk all that smack, most of them are pretty
humble here and reserved. I think the racing scene, especially on the circuit is so much bigger here as well.
Carbon8: Really? I’ve always picture people riding bikes and driving in smart cars... Another stereotype?
Paul: It all depends where you live, but you got it. A lot of people ride their bikes to work, school, the grocery store, etc…
because it is probably quicker and parking is expensive. But, I see more people driving scooters/mopeds more than Smart cars
though. Just about every train station here has a huge parking lot dedicated just to bicycles. It is easier to take the train to work
because they are always on time versus the unpredictability of driving to work.
Carbon8: How does the scene differ from America?
Paul: I think it is cleaner and safer here than most parts of the US. Where else do you see people smoking with portable
ashtrays hanging from their necks? Even at certain places they do not have a lot of garbage cans around; so if you brought
something with you, chances are you taking it back with you. But one really cool thing here are the vending machines,
everywhere. They have some on the side of the road, in neighbourhoods, everywhere! If we had that in the US, people would
jack them and put them in their living rooms or just loot them. You can buy sodas, canned hot coffee, cigarettes, some food
and even porn–yes porn–at these vending machines. There are still quite a bit of them that sell beer–very cool.
Carbon8: How much does it cost to maintain a vehicle in Japan?
Paul: Well, it depends. On the average, you have an inspection done every 2 years called Shaken. This is the most frustrating
because your car has to be certain way. For example, the car has to have a minimum ground clearance from the lowest part of
the car of at least 9cm, no window tint on the driver/pass windows, tires cannot extend past the fenders (camber check) and if
you have an aftermarket shift knob, it must have the gear pattern on it. That is just to name a few points. So, if your car does
not meet specs, then you must fix it or get your tuner to do it for you–cha-ching! The inspection can cost about 80,000 –
130,000 yen. Then there is annual road tax, insurance and gas (killer prices right now) of about 160 yen per liter, or about 6
USD per gallon of high octane.
Carbon8: Describe a car junky’s average night on the town.
Paul: Meet up at a local hot spot and wait. You know every crew has that one person who is on their own time and is always
late. Then head off as a pack to another area to watch or participate in some drifting, drag or high speed battle (on an official
track of course). We usually stay out till about 2 or 3 a.m., depending how far out we are. It is hard to have an average night
because you never know where you may wind up afterwards but it is always good to have some sort of contingency plan in
case of local law enforcement appearance.
Carbon8: What are your favorite local hotspots and places you frequent when you need some added... stimulation?
Paul: My friends and I meet up at least once a month in Yokohama, a parking area called Daikoku Futo. It has nice scenery as it
is under the expressway that spirals around it, hard to explain really. There, depending on the night, you can have Lambo’s pull
up, VIP cars, vans with crazy ass loud systems and DJ equipment, low riders, bosuzoku motorcycles – like gangsters on bikes
but with really loud exhausts and plenty of sports cars ranging from GT-R, Supras, drifters, Copens, Cappucinos, etc…
But if I want to see what is new and have a few extra yen burning a hole in my pocket, then I head off to Super Autobacs or to
one of many tuners in the area, you never know what they have for sale. I once purchased a brand new (although covered in
dust from sitting on the shelf for ages)fully polished hard pipe kit for my R33 GT-R for less than 10 USD. These can go for 2-3
hundred dollars – now that is a deal.