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."
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