Wheeling yourself around on the humble swivel chair sounds like just another day at the office, but in Japan, an annual office chair "grand prix" is no laughing matter. In its sixth year now, the "Isu-1 Grand Prix" (Isu is Japanese for chair) was held over the weekend at Kyotanabe city in Kyoto, Japan. Image: TREVOR WILLIAMS/GETTY IMAGESImage: TREVOR WILLIAMS/GETTY IMAGESThe two-hour endurance event sees competitors zipping round and round a course of roughly 180 metres, clad in helmets and elbow guards and pushing their chairs to the limit over the grueling race. SEE ALSO: Barstool ski racing is the greatest sporting event you've never heard of As the Asahi Shimbun details, wearing protective gear is necessary because chairs often break during the race, sending competitors tumbling onto the concrete. The office chairs are ridden to breaking point.Image: trevor williams/Getty ImagesImage: Trevor Williams/Getty Images A competitor suffers a toe injury.
Image: TREVOR WILLIAMS/GETTY IMAGESTeams are made up of three riders, and the objective is to complete as many laps as possible within the two hours. This year's winning team, Kiyotaki, won 90 kg in bags of rice. The competition, which was started as a marketing stunt for a sleepy shopping arcade in Kyotanabe, has become so popular that it's since been held in 12 other parts of Japan, including an upcoming April race in southern Taiwan's Tainan city. The winning team, Kiyotaki, collect their prize of 90 kg of rice.Image: TREVOR WILLIAMS/GETTY IMAGES Image: trevor williams/getty images Business attire is appropriate, of course.Image: TREVOR WILLIAMS/GETTY IMAGESHave something to add to this story? Share it in the comments. Had an old racing seat that needed a new purpose besides taking up space on top of my rusting GTO. And I didn't have a mobile chair in my garage -- just a couple of metal folding chairs. So it seemed like a good idea to mate the racing seat to an office chair mechanism.
Of course, in my brilliance, I forgot that I didn't have an office chair that I could cannibalize. So first I had to find one. I went to a local used business furniture store and asked if they had any damaged chairs. The best ones have a square base to attach to the bottom cushion. The one I wound up getting was fairly close to that ideal. While I was there, I bought another chair cheap and got a free loveseat to boot. A huge coup for someone who otherwise has trouble talking to people. Admittedly, it helps to live in a large metro area where lots of businesses need and unload furniture. But you may be able to use a castoff from friends or family whose cushions have flattened out or become otherwise unusable. You might just now think to yourself, "Dude, with all that junque in your garage, why do you NEED a rolling chair?" But as an instructabilista, you already know the answer...which may go something like, "If I only worried about what I need, I'd live in a cardboard box with an inflatable doll (from American Yakuza, an under-appreciated film with Viggo Mortensen.)"
Step 1: The Mating Ritual -- Choose Your Material« PreviousNext »View All Steps DownloadFeatured Categories Stacking Chairs High-Back Chairs Folding Chairs Guest & Reception Chairs Mid-Back Chairs Children's Chairs Task Chairs Licensed Chairs Ergonomic Office Chair Drafting Chair & Office Stools Big & Tall Chairs Table & Chair Carts Office Chair Accessories Stacking Chairs See all High-Back Chairs See all Folding Chairs See all More Categories in Office Chairs Stacking Chairs High-Back Chairs Folding Chairs Guest & Reception Chairs Mid-Back Chairs Children's Chairs Task Chairs Licensed Chairs Ergonomic Office Chair Drafting Chair & Office Stools Big & Tall Chairs Table & Chair Carts Office Chair Accessories USD - US Dollar () Playseat® Office Chair - Black What our customers think of Playseat® Office Chair - Black: This seat is truly amazing. Not only do I get to enjoy the comfort of a Playseat chai...read more Worldwide delivery within 48 hours
Whether you've got a fast job or you just like to relax at your desk, Playseat® has the perfect chair for you. This Playseat® office chair has the look and feel of a real racing seat but with the comfort that you need when sitting multiple hours at your desk. Furthermore it is obviously created with the super high Playseat® standards. A high quality gas cylinder lift system makes sure the driver is positioned optimally for the perfect racing experience. Furthermore, the chair is upholstered with the highest quality real leather look black vinyl. The patented foldable chair with adjustable backrest provides ultimate flexibility. This is a great looking chair that can be used for work and racing! All Playseat® Office Chairs are compatible with the ButtKicker Gamer2 Simulation Kit for racing and flight simulation. Compatible with all steering wheels & pedals No tools needed / set up in 10 minutes Compatible with all consoles What our customers think of :
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