We are preparing for the Bol d’Or test on September 1st and 2nd. After returning from Japan, I went to Poland. The Polish team uses the same Honda France hospitality area as us at EWC races. That’s why I often talk with them. That connection is also why I chose Poland for this summer.

There, I met the owner of a wine bar and his wife. I have a habit of ordering something that matches the place or shop I’m visiting. At this bar, I said, “I’d like to drink something local,” and the owner’s wife said, “This is a wine I personally love. Would you like to try some?” and shared a little with me.
She explained that it was an orange wine from Georgia. And wow, it was so good!! It was exactly to my taste!! I immediately said, “I want to take two bottles home,” and ended up drinking some while buying them. (laughs) The photo was taken on my last day. When I walked into the bar, she was wearing a T-shirt with Japanese writing on it. They had even looked up my name and what I do for a living and learned about me. It was one of those moments when this job makes me feel glad to be Japanese. I promised them I would come back again next year. Dziękuję!