Left LA and it was just about 15hr trip to Sao Paolo, and I have made it safely to Brazil. It was a long trip but the weather is great and I am happy to be able to visit Brazil for first time of my life.

今日はサーキット内にあるホテルにチェックインして、サーキットの下見をしてきました。まだ作業中で土曜までに間に合うのかが心配・・・。それ以上にサーキットはメチャメチャバンピーでグリップもしなさそうなので、ドライバーにとってはかなりトリッキーなコースとなるでしょう。

After checking in to the hotel, we went to check out the track. They are still working on the grand stands and corners and am a bit worried if they would really get everything done before Saturday AM. The track looks real bumpy and slippery and looks to be handfuls to the drivers!

見て下さい！このコンクリートでカマボコ状態のフロントストレート！！

Look at the front straight with made out of concrete!

ちなみに、こちらはホテルのフロントに停めてあった、マリオ・モラエス号のスマート。

Here is Mario Moraes Smart car that was parked in front of the hotel.

夕飯はUS Racingのスタッフと、ヒデキと一緒に早速シュラスコを食べに行きました！美味かった〜！！毎日食べれますね。（笑）

Well, for dinner, I went out with the staff from US Racing and also Hideki Mutoh to a Chuhascarria Restaurant. The food was excellent and I am really looking forward to the weekend!

We are finally starting to kick off the 2010 racing season this week end. There is the Indy Car season opener from Brazil and also the F1 race in Bahrain.

僕は水曜日にブラジルに出発し、今回もUS Racingのレポートで行ってきます。今回はブラジル初めてですが、ちょっぴり楽しみです。コロンビアには２００５年に行ったのですが、南米はご飯も美味しいですし、本当に楽しみです。でも、仕事で忙しくなりそうだから、エンジョイしている暇もなさそう・・・。（泣）

I will be leaving to Brazil on Tuesday and will be reporting for US Racing again. It will be my first time going to Brazil and am really looking forward to it. I've been to Colombia in 2005 and food and people are so great in S.America that I can't wait to get there. Having said that, sounds like I'll be real busy all week end so there may not be a lot of time for me to enjoy the stay much.

Woke up at 6am. I'm wondering if it's jet-lag or is it me getting older...as I keep waking up earlier by the day.

さて、朝っぱらから“食”についての話ですが、皆さん大根の葉っぱはどうしてますか？アメリカではなかなか質の良い大根が買えないのに、去年だったか日本のニュースで大根が大量に収穫しすぎて捨てている、と言うニュースを見た時はおったまげました！

Well...I'm going to talk about food although it's still early in the morning. Today's theme is about Daikon which is a Japanese radish. It's very hard to find a good quality daikon here in US and I was very surprised when I saw a news in Japan last year, that said the farmers were throwing away tons of Daikon because they have harvested a lot more than needed...

こちらの日系スーパーで大根を買う時は、あえて葉っぱが沢山付いていて鮮度が良さそうなのを選びます。んで、その葉っぱをどうするかと言うと、フライパンで煎って水分を飛ばし、鰹節と胡麻油をいれて、最後に醤油をかけて、「大根の葉ふりかけ」を作っています。

When I but Daikon here at the Japanese Super Market here in LA, I look for not only a fresh quality daikon, I also make sure that there is a lots of leaves on it. The reason why I choose the ones with lots of daikon leaves is because I love making daikon furikake, which you can make by pan frying the leaves and adding bonito flakes and some sesame oil and soy sauce.

このふりかけでご飯３杯はいけちゃいますよ〜！（笑）ぜひ葉っぱは、捨てずに食べましょ〜！

You can eat at least 3bowls of rice with the Daikon Leaves furikake! It's hard to explain how it tastes but definitely worth a try!!

I can't believe it's already March. Whatever happened to February?? The time just flew when I was back in Japan...than to Alabama to watch the Indy Car test...and finally glad to be back home in LA.

アラバマではテストを見ながら、原稿を書いたり、仕事の合間を縫ってチームと交渉したりで大忙しでした。インディ５００まであと２ヶ月と考えると、急ピッチで色んな交渉を進めないといけません。

The test in Alabama was real busy. Although I was not driving...I had to do a lot of media work while I talked to several team owners to discuss about the possibilities for the 500 and Indy Japan race. Month of May is coming in a hurry so I better up my pace on negotiations with my sponsor and teams.

今月は修羅場だな〜。って何時も修羅場ですが・・・。（笑）では、今月も全力で頑張っていきます！！

It's a tough time as always...but will be giving my best on trying to get secured as usual!!

My trip to Japan went by real fast and I am back in US now. Actually...I am in Alabama as we speaking watching the IRL Open Test at Barber Motorsports Park. I am going to work with US Racing through out the season attending all the races which helps me to be at the track in order to talk to the team owners to get all the recent information as well as negotiation for the future races.

アラバマ州は異常気象で、今朝の温度はマイナス４℃・・・。日本より寒いので驚きです。

It is freezing cold here in Alabama. The temp was about 27 this morning...that is colder than when it was snowing in Tokyo last week!?!

今回のテストでは琢磨選手が初の合同テストに参加。ヒデキは移籍先のニューマンハースでのテストが開始します。今日はテスト２日目でまだ数時間残っていますが、琢磨は３位。ヒデキは５位につけていて、両日本人選手が活躍しています！

The test is going real well for both Japanese drivers. It is the first big test for Takuma and for Hideki with Newman Haas team. Although there is some time left in the session, Takuma is currently placed 3rd and Hideki is 5th.

インディカーシリーズは今年は日本でも盛り上がりそうですね！自分も何とか５００とモテギには参戦できるように頑張ります！応援して下さいね！！

Looks like these two drivers will raise the awareness of Indy Car Series in Japan this year by performing well which also helps me obtain sponsors. Never the less...whatching car is painful and hope I can get something lined up for the 500 and Motegi realX2 soon!!

It was a pretty nice week end here in Japan. Definitely seems as if the Spring is approaching and I am relieved to see that since I don't like cold weather. Having said that, I am only here for another two days...and looking forward to heading home since it was a pretty lengthy stay.

先週は挨拶回りでかなり、ドタバタしていました。そして、金曜日に久しぶりに紅月に行ってきました。いや〜久しぶりに食べれてメチャ美味しかったです。しかも、裏メニューで頂いたサバの干物が絶品でした！

Last week was pretty busy visiting my sponsors. I finally had time on Friday to visit my favorite restaurant Kougetsu in Tokyo. The meal was astonishing especially the Dried Mackeral!!

土曜はお世話になっている富士見ラジエターへご挨拶。デイトナの報告と、今期のレース活動の予定をお伝えしに行ってきました。毎年１戦〜２戦しか参戦していないにも関わらず、僕をずっと支援し続けてくれているスポンサーの皆さんには、心から感謝です！もちろん、ファンの皆さんにも感謝しています！だからこそ、早く今年のインディ５００とインディジャパンの話も何とか決めたい所です。

On Saturday, I visited Fujimi Radiator, who is one of my personal sponsor to report what happened at Daytona and also to talk about my future plans. I have to thank all my supporters on being so kind to me even if I only race once or twice a year. I also appreciate the support from my fans as well!! Therefore, I better work really hard on getting a sponsorship deal lined up to race at the 500 or Indy Japan again this season!

明後日にロスに戻り、一泊だけして翌朝アラバマ州に飛んでバーバーで行われるテスとをレポートしに行きます！琢磨選手がどんな走りをするかが楽しみですね！

Well, I'm here for another two days, and back to LA for a day...and off to Alabama to watch the open test at Barber Motorsports Park. It will be interesting to see ho well Takuma Sato would do during the first test with all other drivers.

Wow...it's freezing out here in Tokyo. Being a Californian... It's hard to handle this cold temperature. I also have to get more winter clothing to keep me warm...lol

日本では連日大忙しです。着いてすぐに鈴鹿に行き、フェデラルタイヤのテストを行いました。初めて鈴鹿のフルコースを走ったのですが、めちゃめちゃ面白いですね。天気は残念ながら雨でしたが。今度はぜひドライで走ってみたいです。

I have been real busy during the stay here. During the first couple of days, I went to Suzuka to test some tires for Federal Tire Company. It was the first time I ever drove at the Suzuka Circuit and that track is wicked! Unfortunately it was raining so I wasn't able to run at full speed but would love to have another try in the future when it's dry.

東京に戻ってきてからは、スポンサーへのご挨拶や、今年のインディジャパンと５００の営業活動でドタバタしています。今が修羅場ですからね！

Since when I got back from Tokyo, I have been busy visiting the sponsors as well as trying to put things together for the Indy 500 and Indy Japan race this year. This is the most crucial time because we are approaching the decision time for most companies who may be interested.

さて、昨日インディカーシリーズにとっては、ビッグなニュースがありましたね。なんと琢磨選手がKVレーシングからフル参戦する事になりました！どんな走りをするか、楽しみですね。

You all probably know already but there was a huge news yesterday here in Japan for the motorsports enthusiasts. Takuma Sato has announced that he will be driving for KV racing. It will be interesting to see how well he is going to run. I'm sure he will be strong on road coarses.

ちなみに、僕も全戦レースに行く事になりました（フル参戦？！？）。残念ながらドライバーとしてではなく、メディアとしての立場ですが・・・。しかしながら、引き続きインディ５００とインディジャパン参戦へ向けての活動は続けておりますので、応援宜しくお願い致します！

BTW. I will be attending all the Indy Car races this year. Unfortunately not as a driver...but will be there as a media. At the same time, I'm still trying to get things worked out for the Indy Japan and Indy 500 so that will be a wicked busy week end for me, talking, writing, and racing!lol... But as I said, it's good to be busy!!

Getting ready to fly back to Japan this afternoon. Apparently it is freezing out there so I am not looking forward to that. I am going back there to thank the guys for all the support for the Daytona 24hr race as well as work on some prospects deal to run more Indy Car races this year.

着いたら翌日は、鈴鹿にメディアの仕事で行ってきます。冬場の日本行きのフライトは向かい風だから長いんですよね〜・・・。ん〜面白い映画がやってるといいけど。では、行ってきます！

When I land, I will need to head to Suzuka to do some media work for couple of days...it will probably be another busy trip. Well, the flights are long during the winter since we are going against the jet stream so I'll be able to watch quite a few movies. Hopefully something good is on to see!

Just got back from Daytona. I'm sure most of you are aware of the results from the Daytona 24hr race but my race never even started. I was very upset about not being able to make the race since I was really looking forward to it.

今回フェラーリ４３０チャレンジでレースに参戦する事になったのですが、フェラーリのマシンがデイトナ２４時間のGTクラスに参戦するには、ルール上に適合する為に色々と改造をしなくてはいけません。どちらかと言うと、クルマをダウングレードする感じです。

We were due to race the Ferrari 430 Challenge car and to comply with the Grand Am GT rules, the team had to make several modification to the car in order to be eligible. More or less, it was about downgrading the car to level the playing field for all the manufactures that are involved in that series.

が、もはやそれが原因で今回は色んな改造パーツにトラブルに見舞われてしまいました。チームとしては、一生懸命頑張っていましたが、実際に走行テストをした上でレースに挑まないと危ないと、チームは判断したので今回はレースを棄権する事になってしまいました。

However, those modification that the team needed to do have created a huge complication and issue on the car when we hit the track. Unfortunately we needed to withdraw from the race since there was not a immediate solution to fix the car in time for the race.I would say it was the right decision from the team to keep the safety of the drivers and vehicle.

本当に泣きたくなるくらい、残念でした・・・。ま〜人生は経験ですね〜。今回の経験は来年のデイトナに活かせるように、またリベンジしにくるぞっ！！

Having said that, I was real gutted when I learnt that we we were not going to race. I suppose you live and learn but this was one of the toughest decision that the team had to make and hopefully we will come back much stronger for next year's race.

チームに支援をしてくれたスポンサーや、結果を楽しみにしていたファンの皆様には決勝に参戦できなくて本当に申し訳ないと思っています。今は次のレースに向けて、また色々と交渉活動を再開しています！ネバーギブアップ精神で今後も頑張りますので引き続き応援して下さい！！

I felt real bad for the team's sponsor and all my fans who were looking forward to the race results since we let all of you down. Nevertheless, I am already working on possibility to participate in the future race, whether in Indy Car or Sports Cars and hope to have something put together real soon. I'm not going to give up! That's for sure!!

I am real happy to report you that I will be racing at the Daytona 24hr race coming up this week end. I will be driving the Sigal Sport Ferrari F-430 entry. The primary sponsor will be Interush who was also on my car during the 2008 Indy Japan race.

チームメートには、オーナーのジーン・シーガル、ラスティ・ウェストとフレッド・ポーダッドの４名で戦う事が決まっています。実はこの話はだいぶ前から交渉をしていたのですが、話が決まるまでは山あり谷ありで、レース直前にようやく纏まったので今はほっとしています。

My team mates will be the team owner Gene Sigal, Rusty West who owns the car, and Fred Poordad. I have been talking about this deal for a while, and it really was up and down until everything was sealed but I am happy now that we are all on the way and ready to race!

気がついたらレースはもう今週末なので、今は荷造りをしています。久しぶりのレースなので、忘れ物をしないように気をつけないと・・・。長いレースになると思いますが、ぜひ応援して下さいね！

Well, since the race is already this week end, I better pack my stuff since I am leaving tomorrow night on a red eye! Since I haven't done this for a while, I need to triple check everything in order not to forget any important items. It should be a fun race and I am really looking forward to racing again!

I made it in to the Hollywood Film scenes!?!

先週とつぜんフェラーリチャレンジのチームから連絡があり、明日からダウンタウンでCSI NYと言う人気テレビドラマの撮影があるから、仕事を手伝ってくれないかと依頼があり、今は忙しいけどOKしました。

I got a call from my Ferrrari Challenge team and they have asked to work for them this past week to help them film the CSI NY episode here in downtown parking lot. Although I was going to be busy, I decided to take up the work since it was not to far from my place.

状況が良くわからなく撮影現場にいくと、ダウンタウンの駐車場がNYのストリートコースとなっていて、そこでレース中に起きた事件を捜査すると言うエピソードだそうです。

I had no idea what we were going to do, but when I got to the film location, I was amazed with the set. They have turned one of the parking lot into a street course in NY and the CSI episode was going to be featured around a race.

そこで登場するのはダニカなのです。最初はトランスポーターやレーシングカーのセットアップを手伝ってくれと言う事だったのですが、現場についたらいきなり、スタントのリザーブドライバーになっちゃったり、ダニカのクルーとしてエキストラ出演したりで・・・、脇役ですがハリウッドデビューしました。（笑）

Danica was one of the cast in the episode and I ended up being her team member!?!lol Initially, I was only supposed to help them set up the transporter and cars, but I ended up being their reserve stunt driver as well as extra cast on the set! Danica was obviously really surprised to see me but it was great working with her.

ま〜脇役ですが、今回は収録に３日間以上いたので、ハリウッドでキャスティングの仕事をする時に必要なSAGカードと言う、組合のカードをゲットする事ができます。このカードはブラッド・ピット等ほとんどの役者も持っているカードで、逆にこのカードがないとハリウッドで仕事を貰う事はできないのです。

I was on the set for more than 3days and now I qualify to apply for a SAG card. I think I will apply for the card so I can perhaps get more work for something like Car TV commercials and etc. Perhaps, I can also brag about having something common with Brad Pitt!?!lol

脇役での出演は微妙でしたが、SAGカードをゲットできるのでまっいいか！？！しかし、撮影隊の人達はタフですね〜・・・。やっぱレーシングドライバーでいるのが一番です！！

Well, being on the set as Extra was weird...but it might have been worth it because I now qualify for a SAG card. Overall, I will say that I rather be a race car driver though...

I can't believe that it's been a week already since we welcomed 2010. Everybody is back in the office working now with a fresh start to this season.

去年の末から話があがっていた、レース活動内容がようやく前進してきたので、近日中に皆さんに良いお知らせができると思います。

I've been negotiating on this deal for couple of weeks now for one of my racing plans for this season and hope to have some good news to deliver in the next few days.

にしても、なんとなくこの２〜３週間は山あり、谷ありの日々だったな。でも、年が明けてから今の所は色々と順調です。まだ始まったばかりだけど、今年は良い年にしないとなっ！頑張ります！！

It really was a roller coaster this couple of weeks to get this worked out but I'm happy that it is finally headed to the right direction. You never know what can happen until you are actually in the car driving...but so far 2010 has treated me well and I need to make it a fantastic year for me and my family and all my sponsors and fans who has been supporting me through out my career!

Happy New Year's to all my friends, family, and fans!

皆さんは年末年始どう過ごされましたか？

Hope you are all enjoying the Holiday Season.

僕はクリスマスが終わってからは、家の大掃除で大変でした。窓ふきやらブラインドのそうじやらで、１週間かけてなんとか大晦日の日にフィニッシュ。インディ５００に参戦する指輪も奇麗にして、ちゃっかり６個目のスペースも空けておきました。（笑）なので今年は絶対に５００に参戦するぞっ！！

I've been so busy after Christmas to clean my house. It's a full time job just to get the windows, windows blind dusted off, and cleaned. I've also cleaned all my Indy 500 rings and made some rooms for the 6th in my cabinet. Therefore, I definitely have to give it another go this year at it!

で大晦日の晩は友人の家で、皆でカウントダウンしました。本業は美容師さんなんですが、毎年NewYear'sパーティーではダウンタウンの市場から新鮮な魚を買って捌き、刺身＆寿司パーティーをやっています。手が器用なだけに、魚を切るのも板前並みです。

For the New Year's Eve, I was invited to my friends place for the Count Down Party. He is a hair stylist but has excellent skills on not only cutting hairs, but also some fish to make Sashimi and Sushi. The fish was all fresh as he purchased them from Fish Market directly where all the sushi restaurant goes to get their stuff.

０８年の年越しは体調がわるくて、年が明ける前に寝てしまいましたが、今年はしっかりカウントダウンもできて順調な滑り出しです。

During the 08 countdown, I wasn't feeling so well and went to sleep before the new year but this year, I was able to enjoy the night and count down with friends which is already a good start to 2010!

元旦の日は、お昼前にリトル東京にあるお寺で初詣。ここ数年は２日か３日に初詣に行っていたので、今年は元旦にいけてしっかり心も引き締まっている感じです！

On New Year's Day, I went to the temple with my family to pray for good health, and of course some luck in racing. I usually go to the temple on 2nd or 3rd day after the New Year so I am ahead of the game already in 2010!

で、おみくじもしっかり引いてきました。が、その時に息子にちょっとした事を改めて教えてもらいました。おみくじを引く時に、自分は躊躇しながら選び抜いた物をピックアップ。息子は一番上にあるくじを迷わず手に取りました。

At the temple, we decided to do the [Omikuji] to see our fortune for this season. When picking up the fortune paper from the draw box, I ended up learning something from my son. All the adults including my self will dip their hands deep into the box trying to find the best fortune, while my son without any hesitation went and picked up the top fortune roll.

その瞬間、“あっ、もしかした良いくじが欲しいと思う、大人の悪い欲がこういう所にでるのかも・・・”って思って、案の定お寺の外に行ってくじを開くと、僕は“吉”で息子は“大吉”！

We went out side and unrolled the paper to see our fortune, and with out any surprise, I've got "blessing" and my son's pick was "Great Blessing" for this year's fortune. It just showed that the fortune will come to you, if you don't become greedy and also not to hesitate,

と言う事で新年早々、初心に戻ると言うライフレッスンを３歳の息子から受けた感じでした。（笑）

A lesson from a 3yr old, but sometimes you have to go back to the beginner's mind in order to succeed!

Merry Christmas! Hope you all are having a great holiday season. I assume people in Japan are still working since it's not an national holiday out there...

こちらはすっかり冬休みモードに入っています。まだ、クリスマスプレゼントを買っていないので、今朝ダッシュで買いに行かないとな・・・。子供にばれないようにタイミングを見計らって買うのは難しいですね〜。（笑）

In US, everyone is already in holiday spirit and I haven't even started my Christmas shopping. I better hit the store early this morning...It's so hard to get the presents for the kids without getting caught on what you intend to buy.

ではでは、これから急いでショッピング行ってきます。混んでないといいけど・・・。

Well...I hope people have already finished there Christmas shopping and the store is not so crowded...

Today's my daughter's 1st B-Day. I can't believe she is already one years old. That means, I am not even going to think about what can happen in 20years... When she was born, since it was during middle of the night, I was at home with my son waiting for the phone call, but unfortunately we missed the delivery since she came out so fast.

そんな娘はしっかりでかくなり、今は一生懸命お兄ちゃんと張り合っています。神経の図太さからしたら、もしかしたらレーサー向き？！？（笑）今日は親父が日本から来ているので、家族でお祝い誕生会です！

She is real healthy and big for her age! Therefore, she is almost as strong as her big brother...she probably fits more in to the racing driver category from the characteristics stand point.lol Well, my dad is in town for her B-Day party today and will be celebrating her important day!!