Japan doesn’t half-ass its hobbies. Whether it’s bosozoku bike mods or vintage denim hunting, when people go in, they go all the way. The car scene is no different. If anything, the obsession hits a different gear (pun intended).
Conceived in Tokyo but quickly going international since launching in 2022, Clutch Kickback has become a name to know in underground motorsport, blending grip and drift racing with fashion, music and street culture. They’ve become a fully formed network that stretches from Japan to Europe and North America, gathering all who find common ground in horsepower.
On September 9, they head to Tsukuba Circuit’s TC2000 course for one of their biggest events yet. Expect a full-day throwdown straight from the morning, with Time Attack sprints, drift sessions, joy rides, and show cars lined up and shining.
The Clutch Kickback team frequently teams up with other Tokyo-based groups like Car Service, select shop H4LO, as well as collaborations with musicians, DJs and brands that intersect speed and style. Together, they help make Clutch Kickback feel less like a car meet, and more like a movement.
There’s no late-night drop pin or warehouse guesswork here. From 8am, it will be screeching tires and basslines echoing across Ibaraki. Tsukuba Circuit isn’t the easiest spot to reach, but it’s worth the trek. From Shibuya or Shinjuku, expect a 2.5-hour journey by train. The closest station is Sodo on the Kanto Railway’s Kantetsu-Joso line, and from there it’s either a taxi ride or a one-hour walk to the venue. Not convenient, but you’ll be glad you made it. And if you do miss it this time, don’t stress: Clutch Kickback is always plotting their next drop, so keep tabs if you want in.