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"JOY TAI" Top PageReports & Winners2008 "JOY TAI" 7-Hour Endurance Race Report

2008 "JOY TAI"
7-Hour Endurance Race Report

【The final day at Twin Ring Motegi was also hit by the intense heat. Starting with the grid walk, followed by a briefing on the course and the opening ceremony, the start of the race was finally underway. 90 cars lined up on the grid, divided into two groups and starting with a rolling start.】

2008 "JOY TAI" 7-Hour Endurance Race Report The first to take the lead was the #15 Blaze Sims BS Impreza, starting from pole position. Following behind was the #83 BP ADVAN NSX, starting from 4th on the grid, followed by the #54 FTJB Elf Impreza and the #44 TM Nakayama WM Integra. The #15 Blaze Sims BS Impreza, who took the lead on the opening lap, began to pull away from the rest of the pack, as expected. However, as lapped cars began to come into play, the #83 BP ADVAN NSX closed in on the #15 Blaze Sims BS Impreza. Then, on the 5th corner braking, the #83 BP ADVAN NSX took the lead and continued to lead the race.

However, speed alone cannot win in this "JOY TAI". At the 2-hour mark, the top position was held by [#74 Honda Cars Narashino Suzuban Civic]. After that, [#18 Bambino Civic], which had been running consistently in the 2 minute 30 second range despite pitting once, jumped into the lead. Then, after 3 hours and 37 minutes, during the second pit stop for refueling, [#29 Garage FKSP MDL Civic] rose to the top. [#62 DUNLOP Mecca EF9] was about 20 seconds behind, and [#4 Uetake DLIDI Wako's Levin] was about 48 seconds behind, chasing after them. [#18 Bambino Civic] finished refueling and returned to the course in 11th place, but during the third pit stop, they committed a penalty for exceeding the time limit in the refueling area, causing them to drop in the rankings.

After 4 hours, dark clouds spread in the sky and rain is expected. At this point, the top position was held by [#4 WETAKEDLIDI WAKO'S LEVIN], followed by [#82 Auto Shop KT Civic] with a gap of about 29 seconds. In third place was [#29 Garage FK SPMDL Civic], followed by [#88 WM-RUKINO Civic] one lap behind in fourth place.

At the remaining 1 hour mark, the top position is still held by [#4 Uetake DLIDI Wako's Levin], with [#82 Auto Shop KT Civic] following closely behind. However, at this point, rain starts to fall from the sky. The road becomes slippery and lap times start to decrease. Some cars go off course, but it becomes an easier situation in terms of fuel consumption.

And with 30 minutes left, the light on display was shown, and the 2008 "JOY TAI" also reached its climax. The gap between the top runner [#4 Uetake DLIDI Wako's Levin] and the second place [#82 Auto Shop KT Civic] is rapidly narrowing. The gap that was once over 30 seconds is quickly closing, and with 15 minutes remaining, [#82 Auto Shop KT Civic] marks the best time despite the rain, closing the gap to 7.772 seconds. The battle between the escaping [#4 Uetake DLIDI Wako's Levin] and the chasing [#82 Auto Shop KT Civic] ends unexpectedly. With only 12 minutes remaining, [#4 Uetake DLIDI Wako's Levin] slows down. They make it to the pit road entrance, but stop due to running out of gas. With this, [#82 Auto Shop KT Civic] takes the lead and crosses the finish line, winning the "JOY TAI" for the third time.
"We were also struggling with fuel efficiency, but it seems like other teams were also struggling due to the heat and rain. It truly became a blessing in disguise," said Katsu Tomizawa, who showed a great comeback at the end. "It's a victory that the drivers and crew worked together to achieve. It's a team victory," said Katsuo Hirayama. Out of the 8 times the "JOY TAI" has been held, they have won 3 times, marking a high winning rate. It was a race where the "JOY TAI" specialist team returned to the center of the podium.

Together, 【#62DUNLOP Mecca EF9】 which raised its position in the final stages of the race, took 2nd place, and 【#18 Bambino Civic】 took 3rd place and climbed onto the podium.

※Click on the photo to view the enlarged image.

2008 "JOY TAI" 7-Hour Endurance Race Report 2008 "JOY TAI" 7-Hour Endurance Race Report 2008 "JOY TAI" 7-Hour Endurance Race Report 2008 "JOY TAI" 7-Hour Endurance Race Report