Shopping Guide
GSR Gear is Good Smile Company’s cycling related product line and now the company is set to launch the 5th GSR CUP CYCLE RACE on Sept. 3, 2016 in which participants can enjoy cycling with their favorite characters. For this fifth edition, Rika Mayama - a member of the idol group Shiritsu Ebisu Chugaku is set to make a guest appearance. Late entries for the endurance race category, for which Rika Mayama will be participating in the opening ceremony parade, will be accepted between Aug. 18-24.
GSR CUP CYCLE RACE
The GSR CUP CYCLE RACE is a bicycle racing event in which character cyclewear and cosplay are requirements for entry so participants can enjoy cycling alongside their favourite characters. Over 2000 riders wearing character jerseys and spectators enjoyed the 4th cycle race which was held in April 2016. The harmonious mood continued throughout until the curtain finally came down on the packed out event.
5th GSR CUP CYCLE RACE Full Details
**Event Name:** 5th GSR CUP CYCLE RACE
**Dates & Times:** Sept. 3, 2016 6am to 6pm
**Venue:** Sodegaura Forest Raceway, Japan, 〒299-0202 Chiba Prefecture, Sodegaura Forest 348−1
**Sponsor:** Good Smile Company
**Late Entry Application Period:** Aug. 18-24, 2016 at 23:59
- Race goes ahead rain or shine
- Schedule subject to change
- Applications may end if set capacity for category is reached
- No same day applications accepted for any category
- Entry fee for the cycle race does not include entry fee to the venue. Entry tickets for the venue are sold separately, special advance tickets and same day tickets are available.
Entry Tickets to the Circuit Area
**Advance Tickets:** 1500 yen (tax included). Additional handling fee required for online sales
**Same Day Tickets:** 2000 yen (tax included)
**Elementary School Children and Below:** free
With the various cycle races at its center including team/individual endurance races (1hr, 2hrs, 3hrs, and 5hrs), there will also be a number of side attractions on offer. Those not wanting to participate can purchase an entry ticket for the circuit area (advance tickets 1500 yen, 2000 yen on the day) to view the racing and there will also be an anisong DJ and free food on offer so there’s plenty to enjoy even for visitors who’ve come without a bicycle.
For the full details about the races and surrounding events, please see the official 5th GSR CUP CYCLE RACE website.
Guest Appearance by Shiritsu Ebisu Chugaku’s Rika Mayama
Rika Mayama, a member of the eight person idol group Shiritsu Ebisu Chugaku, will be making a guest appearance at the event.
Performance Schedule
**8:30 am**: opening ceremony for the morning endurance race where Rika Mayama will feature in the parade
**11 am:** stage event
**1 pm:** commemorative photography. Spectators can also take part. Photographs will also be posted on the internet.
**2 pm:** Afternoon endurance race opening ceremony where Rika Mayama will feature in the parade
- Rika Mayama is not expected to sing during the event.
- No Shiritsu Ebisu Chugaku or Rika Mayama related merchandise will be on sale at the event.
Rika Mayama Profile
19 year old Rika Mayama is an active member of the eight person idol group Shiritsu Ebisu Chugaku. In 2014 she achieved her dream of becoming a voice actress playing the role of Shizukana Kisaragi in Nanana's Buried Treasure. In November of the same year she also provided the second opening theme for Akame ga Kill!, Liar Mask, as her solo debut and in 2015 participated in the main theme for Rejet’s Midnight Kyonshi, E. Al-Sadistic. Rika Mayama is also expected to perform in the main theme for the sequel to Midnight Kyonshi, Shen-Shen Passion Night, in 2016. She is also active between the 2D and 3D worlds through her work on audio drama adaptation of rerulili’s Kuriya Byo Gekihatsu Boy among others.
Entry & Race Categories
5hr/3hr/2hr/1hr endurance races
The race proceeds along a predetermined circular course. Once the time has elapsed, lap numbers and time of arrival at the goal will be used to determine the participants’ ranking.
The 5hr endurance race is a combination of the 2hr and 3hr races so there will be a brief pause in-between.
Criteria
- The race is conducted on the predetermined circular course.
- Participants ride around the set route until the reaching goal at the end of the allotted time.
Awards
There is a prize for coming first, second, or third in each of the categories as well as additional prize presentations. All teams will receive a certificate after completing the race.
Side Attractions
Free Food Corner
Opening time: 10am
- Carbohydrate Loading (rice, mini anpan)
- Sodium loading (miso soup)
- Protein loading: frankfurters (hot dog sausages)
A ticket exchange system for race participants will be in operation until 12pm for the rice, anpan, and frankfurter sausages.
Each race participant will be given a ticket entitling them to two onigiri, two anpan rolls, and one frankfurter sausage. Spectators first come first served. Food offered free after 12 pm.
Anisong DJ
Anisong DJ Re:animation will be whipping up the venue with some great tunes.
Re:animation Profile
Re:animation is active in two very different fields moving from anime to the club scene and is set to provide a urban-style outdoor DJ party. Set lists generally include not just anime music but also dance tracks including trance and house.
The first event was held in Shinjuku’s Kabukicho in 2010 where 1000 people came to see it live and viewer numbers for the Ustream live feed broke a world record. After the fifth show the set moved to Nagano and attracted around 3000 viewers for the 8th show in November 2016. Re:animation is also well known for making use of crowdfunding to put on free rave-style outdoor concerts.
Yacchaba Fes
Yacchaba Fes is a bicycle and food themed new product launch and exhibition event which will be running a revamped free market.
- Those wishing to exhibit should check with the official site and make an application before the event.
SUPER GT GT300 class team GOODSMILE RACING & TeamUKYO
Other than an exhibition of the vehicles used by the SUPER GT GT300 class team GOODSMILE RACING & TeamUKYO from 2015 and 2016, team manager and former F1 driver Ukyo Katayama will also be making a guest appearance as a rider in the race! Racing Miku Supporters 2016 are also expected appear at the event.
■ About Good Smile Company
Good Smile Company is among Japan’s top designers, producers, manufacturers, and selling agencies of figures and toys. Its most popular series, the chibi figure Nendoroid line, has 600 entries as of 2016. Good Smile is extending the influence of figures and anime content both within Japan and around the world. The company also carries out collaborations with artists overseas and works to share Japanese culture all over the world.
Good Smile Company Official Website
GSR CUP CYCLE RACE Official Website
GOODSMILE RACING Official Supporters Site
Source: @Press
