![2015 "JOY TAI" July 19 (Sun) 7-Hour Endurance Race Report](img/photo_15report2_m.jpg)
Started in 2001, the 2015 Mote tai (Mote endurance) Enjoy TAI race marks the 15th event this year. The entry slots filled up quickly, showcasing its popularity with 90 teams. This achievement is made possible thanks to the support of all the entrants and stakeholders over the past 15 years.
On the day of the final, the blue sky spread out from the morning. That morning, the Japan Meteorological Agency announced that "the rainy season in the Kanto and Koshin regions is considered to have ended." A heat wave seemed to arrive just in time for the JOY TAI final. Teams that had completed refueling from the morning moved their machines to the grid, making final adjustments and taking team commemorative photos, each waiting for the moment to start in their own way.
Then, divided into two groups, 90 teams enter the formation lap led by the safety car. As the safety car enters the pit while maintaining a beautiful formation, the signal turns green, and the race starts as they pass the control line. The start time was exactly 10:00:00. First, the pole position starter, #9 Fukuda Solar NS Potenza WM, clears corners 1 and 2, while #51 Braille Battery Mars Civic moves ahead from the inside of #18 Asano Automobile Prelude. The opening lap is led by #9 Fukuda Solar NS Potenza WM, followed by #51 Braille Battery Mars Civic and #147 DRS 147 Stile, with a slight gap to #18 Asano Automobile Prelude, #14 Mason BRIDE elf EK9, #27 Chichi Roadster, and #864 Pulse REDU Ryusei A1DC5.
Right after the start, [#51 BRAIL BATTERY MAZDA CIVIC] was closing in on [#9 FUKUDA SOLAR NS POTENZA WM], but [#9 FUKUDA SOLAR NS POTENZA WM] increased its lap time and marked the fastest lap of 2 minutes 18.055 seconds on the 5th lap, leading the race in a solo effort. While considering fuel efficiency, [#9 FUKUDA SOLAR NS POTENZA WM] continued to lap at a high pace around 2 minutes 20 seconds. When it entered the pit for refueling, the fuel-efficient GK5 FIT3 [#62 G/MOTION WM FIT] took the lead, but [#9 FUKUDA SOLAR NS POTENZA WM] resumed its high pace and returned to the top position.
At the point when 2 hours have passed, the car that was in the lead, #9 Fukuda Solar NS Potenza WM, makes its second pit stop. #27 Chichi Roadster, #51 Braille Battery Mars Civic, and #44 Red Shark SSS continue on the same lap, and at this timing, #27 Chichi Roadster rises to the top. After that, when #27 Chichi Roadster also makes its second pit stop, #51 Braille Battery Mars Civic takes the lead, and the top position changes rapidly.
The turning point came when, after 3 hours and 5 minutes had passed, a vehicle stopped on the track just before the S-curve, prompting the safety car to enter. At this moment, the team #9 Fukuda Solar NS Potenza WM made a perfectly timed pit stop for refueling. After 3 hours and 45 minutes, they completed 81 laps and took the lead, and at 4 hours and 30 minutes, after completing 100 laps, they made their fourth pit stop. The team #999 versus.FUCHS.wm.GK then rose to the top, but after 5 hours, the #62 G/MOTION WM FIT and the FIT teams started to gain ground. However, with superior speed, #9 Fukuda Solar NS Potenza WM overtook #999 versus.FUCHS.wm.GK on the 133rd lap, just under an hour remaining, to reclaim the lead. At this point, the FIT teams were in a situation where they had to pit at least once more. This is due to the rule in JOY TAI that requires each class to make a minimum of 5 driver changes. At this point, the victory for #9 Fukuda Solar NS Potenza WM was almost certain, but in racing, anything can happen. After the race, #9 Fukuda Solar NS Potenza WM mentioned that fuel consumption was tough, and they slowed their pace to match the lap times of the FIT teams to ensure they were fully prepared.
After that, the battle for second place, which equates to the class victory in the Fit 1.5CC category, intensified. It was a scenario of car 999 versus FUCHS WM GK leading and car 62 G/MOTION WM FIT chasing. First, with 28 minutes remaining, car 62 G/MOTION WM FIT made their final driver change and returned to the track, with a gap of about 47 seconds between the two teams. Car 999 versus FUCHS WM GK made their last driver change with 15 minutes left and returned to the track still in second place, but they mentioned that their fuel consumption was tight and they were barely managing... Then, with just 1 minute remaining, car 999 versus FUCHS WM GK unfortunately slowed down. They stopped their car on the inside of Turn 2.
The leader, #9 Fukuda Solar NS Potenza WM, completed 154 laps and celebrated a delightful victory. "The key to our success was running without any mistakes and following the strategy. The timing of the safety car was also good. However, the fuel consumption was tough. Being able to slow down the pace at the end was significant as well. Everyone did a perfect job," said Fukuda.
"Mr. Fukuda and Mr. Nakajima won the championship two years ago. I really wanted to win, so I was allowed to join the team. Last year, I had trouble in the qualifiers and had to start from the back, so I am really happy to be able to win this year," commented player Goto with joy.
Winning from pole position is a first for JOY TAI. Everything, including fuel-efficient driving and the timing of pit stops, went well to achieve this victory.
In 2nd place overall, the #62 G/MOTION WM FIT finished on the same lap as the leader, securing victory in the Fit 1.5CC class. In 3rd place overall is the #1 DIJON Wako's ED Nils FIT3.
The machine that used biodiesel fuel processed from waste cooking oil used at the Calbee factory, which drew attention with entry [#810 Team Nadeshiko☆Kanto Institute of Technology Corolla] finished in 74th place. It received the special award of the 15th tournament, the 15 Checker Award (awarded to the vehicle that passed the control line 15th after the checkered flag was presented in the final).