I purchased GT-C:Tokyo-Geneva only, from Japan...and it is NTSC, not PAL. Not sure about the problem you are having. I have owned this game since it came out...and still have not chipped my PS2. I am in search for a PS2(Version 2 - model) mod chip...if anyone has any information..thank you.
But yea, they did make Tokyo-Geneva NTSC for Japan.