JDM CLASSICS 8
It had been a good while since I’d been in Mondello Park. The last time was early in the year, and I’ll admit, I didn’t mind the break. There’s a certain kind of fatigue that comes from seeing the same paddock and the same corners too often. But time away brings perspective — and as soon as I pulled in for JDM Classics 8, driving Liv’s C33 Laurel no less, the energy hit different. The air felt fresher, the vibe calmer, but you could still sense the buzz that always comes with a JDM Classics day.
This event has a way of pulling the right crowd. Proper enthusiasts, familiar faces, and that easy atmosphere where everyone’s there for the same reason — to enjoy cars the way they’re meant to be enjoyed. The sound of old Toyotas and Nissans filled the background, a steady rhythm that carried through the morning. Nothing too wild early on, just drivers finding grip, feeling out the track, shaking off the cobwebs.
I’d forgotten how good it feels to just wander through the pits — camera in hand, chatting nonsense about setups and tyre choices, getting lost in the small details of builds that have clearly been laboured over for months or even years. Every car has a story, and Mondello always seems to collect the right ones in the same space.
The day started slow, but by midday the tempo picked up. The grip sessions got sharper, and the drifting started to find its flow. You could feel everyones confidence building with every session. It’s that gradual lift you only notice when you’ve been standing trackside for a few hours — suddenly, everyone’s pushing harder, chasing that perfect lap.
Dave brought his Ooni pizza oven, which might have been the best addition to the paddock all day. There’s something about homemade pizza in the middle of a cold Irish track day that just lifts the soul. Between the smell of fresh dough and the faint haze of tyre smoke drifting through the air, it was the perfect mix of comfort and chaos. We ate, we laughed, and before we knew it, the afternoon sessions were firing up again.
The weather stayed surprisingly kind — dry, bright, with that fresh November chill that keeps everyone awake. No real red flags to speak of either, which always makes for a smoother day. It was one of those rare Irish track days where you can actually focus on the driving, the atmosphere, and the small moments that make it worthwhile.
My highlight of the day was seeing all the XLi Corollas out on track during the grip sessions. There’s just something about them — simple, mechanical, and alive. Watching them dart around the corners reminded me why I love these cars so much. They’re not about outright speed or flash — it’s the way they move, the way they sound, the way they look when driven properly. It made me want to take mine out next year and I think I just might.
Leaving Mondello later that evening, I felt that quiet satisfaction that comes from a day well spent. No huge expectations, no big agenda — just good cars, good people, and a reminder of why we keep showing up. JDM Classics 8 wasn’t about chasing perfection; it was about presence, the shared passion that keeps this community ticking. And for a November day in Ireland, that’s more than enough.
