TCR World and life

Round 7 – Saturday 28 September, Okayama International Circuit 1. T. Shinohara (Hitotsuyama Racing, Audi RS 3 LMS); 2. T. Matsumoto (RT Team Wakayama, Volkswagen Golf GTI); 3. ‘Hirobon’ (Birth Racing Project, Volkswagen Golf GTI) Round 8 – Sunday 29 September, Okayama International Circuit 1. T. Shinohara (Hitotsuyama Racing, Audi RS 3 LMS); 2. S. Maejima (Go&Fun Squadra Corse, Alfa Romeo Giulietta); 3. S. Mitsuyama (Green Brave, Volkswagen Golf GTI) RACE 2 – SHINOHARA RECOVERS FROM A BAD START Shinohara made a poor start from pole position and dropped to fourth, while Maejima took the lead after he nearly collided with Mitsuyama at the end of the pit straight. Kanamaru moved into third place, but was passed by Shinohara during the first lap. On the following lap, Shinohara passed Mitsuyama for P2 and then began closing the gap to Maejima and overtook him during lap 3 to take the lead. On the same lap the points leader Matsumoto passed Howson for P5, while ‘Hirobon’, who was running in seventh position, 22 JAPAN served a drive through for a jump-start. On lap 6, Matsumoto moved into P4 after passing Kanamaru and then began threatening Mitsuyama’s third position. On lap 9, Yukinori Taniguchi overtook ‘Yoshiki’ for P7 and this was the last change in the positions. During the final laps, Shinohara controlled the race while Maejima followed four seconds behind; Mitsuyama managed to keep Matsumoto at bay to finish third, while Kanamaru beat Howson for fifth. Masayuki Ueda and ‘Mototino’ delivered a thrilling fight for ninth position that was won by Ueda with a slim 0.175 seconds margin.