Japan Off Road Winter Championship at the Yatabe Arena by Takashi Sugimoto |
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It was a very cold day. The race had 6 classes; 2WD, 4WD, Truck,Vintage, Mini, and stock. There were over 230 racers at the race. The controlled tire was adopted for the race which was Holeshot for both 2WD and 4WD class rear tires, and Holeshot for 4WD class front tire. It took over 3hours for one routine.
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PracticeThe practice run was permitted until 10 a.m., so I tried to decide rear tire compound (M3 or R3) and foams. The course condition was a little wet. I tried to R3 with bombone(gray), but this combination made very quick handling, and tail slide was too much. So, I changed to foam to 2 stages (proline). This combination was worked much better. I made the new tire with R3 and 2 stage foam, but this did not work at all. The very new tires did not work, so finally I decided the tire which was used R3 compound and 2 stage foam.
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The First Heat |
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| The course width was narrow, so I tried to drive that I did not hit or was not hitten by other cars. I could not drive fast what I imaged. The first heat result was 13 5.07.461. | |
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| I could start third this heat, so I tried to drive more aggresive. I could drive what I imaged and after 3 min. I took the first place and I kept at the last lap, but I missed randing of last jump. As a result, I finished at the 8th place over all with the time 14 5m01s739 | |
The Final |
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| The A main of 4WD class was the last race of the Winter Championship. The member of A main were the same as the All Japan, such as Masami Hirosaka(as you know), Shinya Kimura(Team Yokomo and 2005 2WD class Chamipon of All Japan), Takaeshi Shinomiya(2004 4WD class Champion of All Japan), Tatsuya Sanpei(Team Kyosho), Kuniaki Noguchi(Team Kyosho), and so on. I started from 8th place, so I could start the race very relax. My strategy was that I never missed drive until the front racers make mistake. I tried push and make pressure to the front cars as possible as I can. The two cars missed and I was up to 6 place and finished. I did not have time for practice after All Japan. But, I did not have any torbule with my X-5. I just changed the set up one things that I did not use rear stabilizer. I was nervous before the race becasue I could not practice. But, after I run my X-5, I coould enjoyed my race, because the X-5 potential helped me a lot and the X-5 pushed up me at the 6th place. | |
Thank you, Takashi Sugimoto |
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