The Motegi circuit, owned by Honda, was home for the day to two and four wheeled machines from Honda Racing's current range as well as their past. Passenger rides with the drivers, laps of the circuit in a tour bus while Honda NSX SuperGT race cars thundered around, F1 wheel change games and simulators, kart racing and a host of other racing related activities were on offer, although bad weather curtailed some of the on track demonstrations.

The rain didn't stop Jenson Button though, with the Brit demonstrating the RA108 to the crowds. "I look forward to coming to the Honda Racing Thanks Day every year because our Japanese fans are so passionate and supportive," explained Button. "They cheer me on as much as the British fans.

"This year I was able to demonstrate Honda’s Civic Type-R road car in addition to the RA108, and it’s always great to see so many Japanese fans at the autograph session and talk show. I would like to say a huge ‘thank you’ to all fans who cheered me on right up until the end of the event, in spite of the cold rain that they had to endure."

Honda motor sport stars joining Jenson at the event were MotoGP rider Dani Pedrosa, Trials World Championship rider Takahisa Fujinami, FIM Superbike World Championship riders Carlos Checa and Ryuichi Kiyonari, and IRL IndyCar Series driver Hideki Muto. 

We couldn't get confirmation as to just how much Jenson was thanking the team for the RA108 he had through 2008.