Marc Holstein may be German, however he’s an enormous fan of Japanese tradition—and a fair larger fan of Japan’s spellbinding bike scene. The ace photographer splits his time between Frankfurt and Tokyo, is an everyday face on the uber-popular Mooneyes present, and has been behind the workshop doorways of a few of Japan’s most enigmatic customized builders.

Marc’s newest journey took him two hours northeast of Tokyo, to the picture-perfect coastal city of Oarai for the annual Oarai Solar Seashore Sand Flat’s race weekend.

Now in its second 12 months, the Oarai Solar Seashore Sand Flat’s occasion is a throwback to the American seaside racing of the Nineteen Forties. A few hundred classic bikes and vehicles descend upon the sunny seaside city for the weekend, kicking up sand and flirting with the Pacific surf on a 1/Tenth-mile monitor, whereas scores of spectators cheer them on.

The emphasis is on fashion; capturing the environment of the heyday of seaside racing. However despite the fact that the automobiles and rivals appear like they simply stepped out of a time capsule, the classic vibe does little to boring their aggressive edge.

“Not like some occasions I’ve seen in Europe that are inclined to focus extra on the present, this one was all about severe racing and beating the competitors,” Marc tells us. “The extent of ability and velocity among the many members was really spectacular, and it was inspiring to see a major variety of feminine riders participating too.”

“Among the many standout personalities on the occasion was Kazuo Fukada from the family-owned Buddy Customs cycle store in Yokohama. Each he and his son Kosuke are famend for his or her velocity on the monitor and their experience in constructing Harley Davidson engines. Kazuo’s daughter Mizuki not solely races but additionally excels in artistic graphic design and did a implausible job because the flag lady.”

“One other exceptional rider who caught my consideration was Atsushi ‘Sushi’ Yasui, fearlessly rushing by numerous lessons and creating stiff competitors, significantly within the ’45’ class finals the place he was in the end bested by Kazuo. Sushi additionally heads the Freewheelers firm, recognized for his or her cutting-edge leather-based jackets and clothes.”

“General, it was a lovely occasion crammed with great individuals, and I used to be delighted to satisfy and work together with everybody there.”

Appropriately, Marc shot virtually all the things on the Oarai Solar Seashore Sand Flat’s weekend on Kodak Gold 200 movie (save for the high-speed panning pictures, which had been taken along with his digital rig). We’ve chosen 34 of his greatest pictures in your perusal—so prime up your glass, flip by the galleries on this web page, and begin planning your subsequent journey to Oarai.

Pictures by, and with particular due to, Marc Holstein.