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It is back!

Quite faster than fast!

Champions for the second consecutive year: the VW Polo R WRC and duo of Ogier/Ingrassia re-writes rally history again this 2014.

A rookie in 2013, the Polo R WRC team made a great mark on its maiden foray into the world rally scene. That first attempt is a first for the WRC record, in which a new tandem of driver/co pilot had bagged the championship on a debuting constructors winning rally car! And for the Polo R, the very first WRC car to win its maiden championship in its debut season; its feat forever enshrined in rally history.

The civilian VW Polo is close to my gear-head’s heart: It is a first of firsts. It will go down in my personal car ownership history, as my very first Volkswagen car. It was not an obvious choice for a lot of my countrymen (used to Japanese cars), but somehow I had to own one brand-new, back then. I had great fun with that green 6N model, and as it aged, taught me a great deal about car stuff. With it, I made my maiden attempt in learning basic maintenance and car care. European car parts are quite expensive in this part of the world, so I learned to be smart on repairs. Now, it is not with me anymore. That Polo had been passed on to someone, who has the same passion as I, in taking care of it years back.

Seeing the latest VW Polo in its current winning form, from the WRC, GTI and the other variants, I wonder if there is a second wind of Polo ownership, waiting for me. Weeks back, a VW contact informed me that locally, the 2014-15 VW Polo Hatchback might be launched this upcoming New Year. Will this be the year of ‘back to Polo’ ownership for yours truly? Hmmm….. :)

Meanwhile… a good friend sent me this Norev model of the 2013 VW Polo R WRC champ!

Gearhead’s View of Autumn in Japan

We’re back in the land of the rising sun, this time for the autumn season.

Wonderful colors of foliage are a delight to see!

Definitely Japan’s autumn offering is second only to the cherry blossoms spectacle in March.

As a gearhead and enthusiast, travelling also gives me another visual treat – that of cars, diecasts and bicycles.

I’m delighted to be reunited with this VW Golf MK5, the car of our generous host in Otsu. This hot hatch now sporting Audi alloy rims!

The VW Golf is a popular car in Japan. Truth be told, it is a consistent ‘Car of the Year’ winner, and this MK7 (shot in Nagoya) is the current title holder.

Love to see this VW Polo GTi again in Kyoto, same car I photograph last year. Still, ever hot looking after a year of open air, lifted parking!

Wonderful retro scene, the old district of Japan and the Neu-Beetle (photographed in Kyoto).

Now, for the vintage Volkswagen fans, this pristine panel van is uber cool. Spotted near Biwa Lake (the biggest lake in Japan), this VW T2 rolls on polished Porsche Fuchs alloy wheels.

I’m happy to find this mint in box, 1976 vintage F-series Tomica Porsche 911 in Kusatsu! A worthwhile diecast hunt, and a very fortunate discovery. As the shop attendant relayed, that a single person earlier bought a dozen of these vintage Tomicas. Good thing, this 911 isn't his preference – lucky me!

Kyosho released a limited edition 1-64 scale of the Lamborghini Veneno bundled with a pocket book behind the special boxed packaging. Have to get one (Circle K in Otsu), and another for our gearhead host!

Of course I love bicycles and these two caught my fancy. A Volkswagen folding bike (behind is a Pinarello road bike) …

…and an ultra fat tire commuter bike, both in the city of Kyoto.

The other two wheeled varieties, both spotted in Nagoya, are wonderful curiosities!

This autumn travel is a truly satisfying gearhead experience and also the trips to historic temples, the city-scapes…but I wouldn't want to bore my fellow gearheads :) …. should I?