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HOME I F3 JAPAN I 2005 I RESULTS I RACE 3 I ROUND 5/6
Race 3, Round 5
Date: 14 May 2005
Track: Sugo (3,704 km)
J.P de Oliveira / Sugo: Report
The All Japan F3 series was back in action last weekend at Sugo, northside of Japan. The weather was playing the game on the weekend as conditions were always changing.

JP, leader of the series, set the fastest times on both conditions in testing. On thursday when the track was dry and friday on the wet JP was fastest. On saturday morning the weather improved and the rain stopped, but the track was still wet and the first qualifing was a lottery. The fastest time went to Naoki Yokomizo, followed by Jonny Reid, from New Zealand. JP was 3rd fastest, but he got some laps disqualified due to yellow flags and had to start in 8th.

The following qualifing showed a similar result, with Naoki again going fastest and Jonny Reid in second. JP was 4th this time.




" This qualifing result is not what I had expected for this weekend. I don't know what went wrong, but we weren't quick enough and after my laptimes were disqualified. Anyway, we must work hard now in the car and try to bring results for the races."

On saturday the weather kept dry for race 1. Naoki Yokomizo, starting from pole, had a good start and kept the lead followed by Jonny Reid. On the back JP started working his way up by overtaking 3 cars in the first single lap. JP kept pushing hard after and closed the gap to the leaders. A long and hard battle with teammate Nakajima ended when JP went off near the end of the race. Driving hard and trying to pass JP made a mistake that cost him a few points. Naoki won the race, Jonny Reid was second and Hideki Mutou, who lies 2nd in the championship finished 3rd.

" I'm disappointed about myself. I worked so hard in the beginning and then I just pushed too hard I believe. Tomorrow is another day and I am starting from 4th, so I just have to forget today and focus on tomorrow."


On Sunday the weather was a challenge. The race started on a dry condition and after a few laps the rain started to come and go. That made the race exciting for who was watching, but very difficult for the drivers. Naoki starting from pole, was overtaken by Jonny Reid on the start and behind them Nakajima and JP were fighting each other. JP started to attack Nakajima in the first few laps and overtook him in the end of the straight with a great manouver inside turn 2. After that JP set fastest times and got closer to the leaders. The leaders Naoki and Reid battled for the 1st place and Reid spun off by himself in turn 1. At that point the rain started to fall and JP started getting closer to Naoki. The rain stopped again for a couple of laps and started again heavier later, making it very hard for the young drivers.. In the end, Naoki won his second race in the season and finished ahead of JP and teammate Nakajima.

" It was a tough race. I attacked in the beginning and I could pass my teammate. After that I could be really fast and set the fastest laptime, but the weather was so tricky. I didn't want to lose any more points, so I didn't risk passing Naoki. I'm satisfied about today's result, but not completely happy after a hard weekend."

 

 

 
Information of Japan F3 are from www.formula3.info / formula-3.net Japanese Branch: Takahiko Nakajima
E-Mail: takahiko@formula3.info
Japanese Formula 3 information site: www.formula3.jp
Official Site All Japan Formula-3-Championship: www.j-formula3.com

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