September 1 (Sat) - 2 (Sunday) 2018 All-Japan Road Race Championship Series Round 7
Koyama is on its 2nd win of the season! Kunimine got the 3rd place and 2 riders went to podium.
The 7th race of the All Japan Road Race Championship series held in Otita Prefecture Autopolis went crazy due to unstable weather and institutional blackouts from the previous week's preliminary tests and even rain week fog with strong fog and heavy rain.
The first one on Friday, which became the first day, was halfway condition, so we stopped the 3 riders for confirmation. In the second rainy condition, I ride in a full set and advanced the machine set.
The fog is intense from morning on Saturday as well and it was impossible to ride in the morning because of poor visibility.
Race 1 was cancelled, and the afternoon's official qualifying will be held for each class.
It took 30 minutes per session.
The rain stopped but the road was full wet.
They choose a tire suitable for rainy weather, and made sure to check the status of the course.
Marking the machine set marks the best time on the final lap.
Last year, Koumine Makuma, who controlled the autopolis round by self-runniding, became the second fastest, Tomoyoshi Koyama got 3rd, and the two started to be a front row start.
Kamei Hayao ended the qualifying with 27th place suffering from Autopolis' strategy.
On Sunday the bird weather changed from the bad weather until then and the blue sky spread to Autopolis.
A race with spectacular performance in each class was held, and on this day, we will have the final race of ST 600 class in all Japan.
Koyama first went out to the siting lap, returned to the pit once, and changed the machine set.
We will make the ;ast machine set and start the race when eaching the grid by checking the braking points where you are competing along with the confirmation of the machine when heading to the grid.
Koyama got the best start, 2nd placed, Kunimine got the 3rd place in the first cornering, Koyama stands at the top of the turn from second cornering to the 3 cornering.
However, it was replaced by Kamei and got the 2nd place in the first hair pin that followed, in the opening lap, Koyama got the 2nd place, Kunimine got the 4th place.
For the top groups, 5 riders are formed, and in the 3rd revolution, they got the top place in the first cornering of 5 relolution when Kunimine peaked in front of Koyama.
Koyama also landed on the 2nd place and Japan Post HONDA Dream had built 1-2 organization.
Koyama who competes for the title is getting closer from behind.
And at the end of the race, the top battle will be narrowed to 3 riders (Koyama, Kinimine and Okamoto).
They join on the last part when Koyama stands at the top by dodging Kunimine in the first cornering of 12 revolution.
Okamoto also landed up to the 2nd place, and also passed in the first cornering of 14 revolution.
And, it rushed in Okamoto, Koyama and Kunimine's order in the final lap.
Koyama in 1-corner braking will arranged to Okamoto but it is impossible to dodge it.
Howver, the real race point was the 2 hair pin.
KOYAMA emerged as the top placer when joining OKAMOTO's Inn by braking!
He received the checkered flag as it was and raised his second victory this season.
KUNIMINE landed on the 3rd place and 2 riders from Japan Post HONDA Dream went up to the podium.
KOYAMA will be the provisional top tie in this victory and aim for the title capturing in the remaining two races.
Comments from the Riders
KOYAMA TOMOYOSHI Comments
Thank you very much for your continue support, and to Japan Post's cheering team as well.
I have less riding duration, and it was a race wherein everyone's set was not determined.
I set up and started just before the race considering the setting from Plan A to Plan C dicussion with the team.
The suspension set was well decided and it began to bend well since the tire began to slide.
It is a victory that I grabbed with the team's overall strength.
I think that I would like to face the race week by firmly capturing the course that runs for 5 years since there is a preliminary test in Okayama soon.
After that, I brush my skills at the harshest Asian championships and want to go to Suzuka of the final race aiming to capture the all-Japanese title for the past 18 years since 2000.
TAKUMA KUNIMINE Comments
I think that I need to win this race because I will retire in SUGO round.
The injury was already cured, so I can not make it as an excuse, I think, there are still differences between the two who did not win by playing a battle with Oyama and Okamoto.
I would like to try to stand in the middle of the podium this time and step up to the next race so that the difference can be reduced.
YUUDI KAMEI Comments
I tried my my very best since I have short riding time but it seems that the part where I tried my best was wrong and I was not able to get on time easily.
Even this time, Koyama started playing back the team but unfortunately, torubles came out in the final part.
I think I need to stop the bad flow and face Okayama's round on the next race.
YUSUKE TESHIMA Comments
Thank you very much for your cooperation, to JAPAN PORTS and HONDA people this time around again.
Japan Post's 260 supporters came to Japan 's cheering team, and I am glad that as a team representative, I was able to show the race to win in front of them.
Based of Koyama's cool judgement, this time, I think I made a good race in the first part of this season's first race.
This time, I will be competing with the remaining 2 races with the team.
We are looking forward to your continue support.
