TCR World and life

16 JAPAN MatthewHowson isTCRJapan’sfirstchampion TAKESHI MATSUMOTO CLINCHES THE TITLE IN THE SUNDAY SERIES A pair of thrilling races on the Suzuka Grand Prix Circuit ended TCR Japan’s inaugural season that crowned Matthew Howson as both the overall champion and the winner of the Saturday Series. His main competitor Takuro Shinohara, who was leading the standings before Suzuka, could not defend his position as the Hitotsuyama Racing team diverted his car to a guest participation in the WTCR. As for the Sunday Series, it was decided by an incident that involved Yu Kanamaru and Shuji Maejima in the second race. They both were in a position to clinch the title, but Kanamaru rejoined at the back of the field and Maejima was dropped by a penalty. And so it was Takeshi Matsumoto who eventually was crowned the Sunday champion. RACE 1 – KANAMARU AND HOWSON MAKE IT A HONDA 1-2 At the start, pole sitter Kanamaru kept Howson at bay into Turn 1, then Maejima passed Matsumoto for P3; however during the first lap the Alfa driver lost two places to Matsumoto and Shogo Mitsuyama. At the end of lap 4 Masayuki Ueda’s Audi went off before the chicane and the safety car was deployed. When racing resumed with five minutes to go, Kanamaru kept on leading from Howson, Matsumoto, Mitsuyama, Maejima and ‘Hirobon’. Those positions didn’t change until lap 9, when the top four had a close fight that ended with the two Volkswagen Golf cars of Matsumoto and Mitsuyama making contact. They both retired, while ‘Hirobon’ benefited from the situation and overtook Maejima for P3. However the latter was able to retake the position and finished third behind Kanamau and Howson.