November 3-4, Suzuka Circuit (Mie prefecture)
Rounds 10 through 12 of Formula Challenge Japan (FCJ) were held at Suzuka Circuit, with Nissan Driver Development Program (NDDP) driver Mitsunori Takaboshi (#12) taking his 2nd victory of the season in Round 12.
A total of three races were held over 2 days at the final event of the FCJ season. The starting grid for Round 10 was determined by a 30-minute qualifying session while the starting grids for the remaining 2 races would be decided based on the best lap times set in their respective preceding races. In the qualifying session conducted on the 3rd (Sat), Takaboshi finished in 5th position while the #13 machine of Kiyoto Fujinami managed to better Takaboshi's time on the final lap and take 4th, his best qualifying result of the season. However, due to a penalty handed out during the session, he dropped to 7th from 3rd while Takaboshi started from 4th place, on the 2nd row.
Racing action began with Round 10, starting at 11:50 on Saturday morning. Although the cars behind him closed up temporarily, Takaboshi managed to cling on to his position and finish 4th. His best lap was also the 4th fastest, so he started from 4th on the grid for Round 11. Although Fujinami dropped back at the start, he managed to overtake and regain his position during the race, reaching the checkered flag in 8th place. Setting the 6th-fastest best lap in the race, he started from 6th on the grid for the afternoon's race, Round 11.
Round 11 for underway at 15:05 on Saturday, the 3rd. Takaboshi got off to a good start from his position in the second row of the grid, and then climbed up a position when the top machine went off track, lifting him to second place on the opening lap. In the final stages, he closed the gap to the first place car to less than a second, but crossed the finish line in second place. However, he recorded the fastest lap in the race, earning pole position for the final round. Fujinami was aiming for the winners' podium after setting a personal best starting grid slot of sixth place, but spun out at a chicane on the opening lap, and finished 17th.
Round 12 started at 8:40 on the 4th. Takaboshi, in pole position, had a favorable start much like he had had in the previous race, cruising in first place. In the opening stages, he opened up a gap over the second place car, and seemed likely to set the fastest lap. In the end, it was another machine that beat him to the fastest recorded lap, but he expanded his lead to four seconds, crossing the finish line first for his second personal victory. Takaboshi, who collected 21 points over the weekend, rose to third place in the series' rankings. Fujinami, who had qualified eighth, set a strong pace and rose to fifth, but went off track on lap 8 and was forced to withdraw.
Mitsunori Takaboshi (Round 10: 4th, Round 11: 2nd, Round 12: 1st)
" In Saturday's race, the main issue was poor pace in the first half of the race, so in Round 12, I was pleased that I was able to put some distance between myself and the second place driver early on.
In the middle of the season I wasn't able to produce the results I had expected, and had a run of difficult races. Even in the final round, I didn't have a good feel for things in the beginning, but I was able to recover little by little and win the season's final race. I am grateful for all the encouragement I've received from the people at Nissan and NISMO who have supported me over the last three years. Thank you."
Pos | No | Machine | Drivers | Time / Behind |
---|---|---|---|---|
1 | 4 | FTRS Clarion FCJ | Ryo Hirakawa | 20'23.313 |
2 | 10 | HFDP/SRS-F/ARTA/Kochira R | Nobuharu Matsushita | 3.404 |
3 | 3 | FTRS | Hiroki Shinotani | 6.284 |
4 | 12 | NDDP DAISHIN FCJ | Mitsunori Takaboshi | 6.699 |
8 | 13 | NDDP FCJ | Kiyoto Fujinami | 16.014 |
Pos | No | Machine | Drivers | Time / Behind |
---|---|---|---|---|
1 | 10 | HFDP/SRS-F/ARTA/Kochira R | Nobuharu Matsushita | 24.28.534 |
2 | 12 | NDDP DAISHIN FCJ | Mitsunori Takaboshi | 2.381 |
3 | 1 | FTRS Scholarship FCJ | Shintaro Kawabata | 6.375 |
17 | 13 | NDDP FCJ | Kiyoto Fujinami | 30.147 |
Pos | No | Machine | Drivers | Time / Behind |
---|---|---|---|---|
1 | 12 | NDDP DAISHIN FCJ | Mitsunori Takaboshi | 35'07.046 |
2 | 10 | HFDP/SRS-F/ARTA/Kochira R | Nobuharu Matsushita | 4.831 |
3 | 1 | FTRS Scholarship FCJ | Shintaro Kawabata | 6.031 |
- | 13 | NDDP FCJ | Kiyoto Fujinami | 10Laps |
Formula Challenge Japan (FCJ)
Formula Challenge Japan (FCJ) is a race series established in 2006 through the cooperation of automakers Nissan, Toyota and Honda, using new junior formula cars. As the focus of FCJ is on improving driving skills, the competing vehicles are all identical, and modifications are prohibited. The chasses are produced by Italian manufacturer Tatuus, and use engines produced by Renault.
In 2012, Nissan is supporting the participation of NDDP FCJ Scholarship drivers Mitsunori Takaboshi and Kiyoto Fujinami.
<Related Link>
NISSAN MOTORSPORTS Web Site
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