Dajiban! Deep in the Hooniverse archives lies a post about a Japanese automotive fetish dedicated to building Dodge Ram Vans into track-ready condition. Despite the absurd premise, the end result comes out pretty bitchin’ (an adjective reserved specifically for Camaros and/or customized vans). The lowered stance plus Watanabe/Panasport-style wheels just works on these things. Daytona Magazine (a Japanese car culture mag) put together a documentary on the few weirdos who build these vans for their annual D-Van Grand Prix race. Click for subtitles and screeching tires.
D-Van Grand Prix: The Japanese Dodge Ram Van Racing Documentary You've Been Waiting For
By Tim Odell
Jul 16, 2015
Ross Ballot 
Jeff Glucker
Japanese oddness usually ends up with grown men taking life sized dolls on actual dates and attending concerts of bands whose members are goldfish. But this, I can understand, a little.
I mean…maybe they use the vans to take the dolls to the concerts…
North America needs a racing series like this, except with older vans and a rule that stipulates that each van must have a shag interior, and an airbrushed mural on the side.
Endurance format. 24 hour races, 400 gallon fuel tanks in the back and a bunk for the co-driver. No stopping, use pit row for cruise control enabled driver changes.
Genius!
And that bunk needs to be able to convert into couch, for pre-and post-race interviews!
Tim, I’m glad you posted this. I just watched this earlier today and thought how cool it would be if we had something like this here.
I still think Richard Hammond was onto something with the people carrier racing. I can see a vintage Caravan vs. Grand Voyager vs. Safari vs. Aerostar doing very well, indeed.
Somebody’s just going to show up with a 4WD Previa ringer and ruin it for everybody.
Supercharged!
…alas no SC + 4wd available.
Until the Caravan Turbo shows up! http://moparblog.com/best-sleeper-1989-1990-dodge-caravan-turbo/
Hey- This was my idea 30 years ago! NASCAR VANS! Imagine all the sponsorship space!!
As big as today’s minivans are, there’s no reason this can’t happen.