19th December 2025 – (Tokyo) A car rental firm operated by Hongkongers in Japan, which collaborates with the local sports‑car community, has disclosed a serious breach involving a Hong Kong couple who allegedly used a hired sports car to drift and drive at high speed inside a restricted area of Fuji Speedway. The company said the pair initially lodged a complaint citing mechanical failure, but a review of the vehicle’s telematics and in‑car audio revealed conduct in clear violation of the rental agreement. The firm subsequently billed the customers for repairs in accordance with the contract and placed them on a permanent blacklist.
According to the company, the customers had originally booked a Toyota 86. Owing to a system issue, the car was unavailable and was substituted with a Nissan Fairlady. On the third day of the hire, the couple reported abnormal noises from the rear wheels. For safety reasons, the firm instructed them to stop immediately and dispatched support teams from Tokyo and Narita to a mountainous location. The response included towing, a replacement vehicle, and on‑site refreshments—assistance the company stressed was above and beyond standard offerings in the sector.
After the car was towed back for inspection, a technician’s report concluded that the handbrake had suffered prolonged friction while the vehicle was in motion, leading to deformation and disintegration. The firm explained such damage occurs only when a vehicle is driven with the handbrake not fully released, indicating improper operation. The damage was not covered by insurance, and the company pursued repair costs and part of the support expenses under the rental terms.
The customers disputed the findings and confronted staff at the storefront. The owner then retrieved driving data and audio recordings, which allegedly showed the couple had earlier entered a closed section of Fuji Speedway and engaged in drifting and high‑speed driving, later concealing the activity. The in‑car audio reportedly captured remarks about “losing all grip”, the smell of burning tyres, and instructions “not to tell the rental operator”, followed by discussion about whether they were being recorded and a refusal to admit fault.
The company said the evidence indicated the issues were unrelated to mechanical defects and stemmed from deliberate misconduct. Emphasising that its business relies on trust, it described the incident as involving high‑risk driving, serious contractual breaches and intentional concealment, posing unacceptable risks to road users and local traffic safety. It therefore processed the charges under the agreement and permanently blacklisted the couple.
Reiterating its policy, the firm reminded customers that rental cars are not for racing. Drifting or high‑speed driving on closed roads or race tracks is prohibited and considered highly dangerous in Japan. Travellers planning to self‑drive were urged to obey traffic laws and comply fully with rental terms.
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