This year marks the 16th edition of the 2016 Motegi Enjoy Endurance Race "JOY TAI". Since the morning, the sky was overcast typical of the rainy season, and it rained occasionally, but it did not pour down, and we welcomed the grid walk time in dry conditions.

In preparation for the final, 90 machines were lined up on the grid by hand. The opening ceremony began with an opening declaration by the Twin Ring Motegi Angel, followed by a greeting from Manager Hideki Saito, and the announcer introduced the teams lined up on the grid. Once that was finished, it was time for the formation lap.

Here, on this day, the first accident occurs. At the timing of the formation lap start, the engine of the pole position PUTO fails to start, and other machines pass by it. Eventually, the engine starts, and it joins the formation lap, but it ends up starting from a significantly lower position.

Divided into 2 groups, 90 machines entered the first corner simultaneously with a rolling start, aiming for the goal 7 hours ahead. The first to enter the first corner was the second grid's #18 Asano Automobile Prelude. Following this were #9 FSNS Potenza SPMWMFK, #57 Towa Intec Racing DC5, #27 Chichi Roadster, #1 Dijon Wako's ED Nils, and #84 SEV ADVAN Elise. After that, #57 Towa Intec Racing DC5 and #9 FSNS Potenza SPMWMFK swapped the lead and continued to lead the race.

The weather has turned hot and humid, resembling a subtropical region, with blue skies peeking through the clouds. While some machines encountered troubles, there were teams that were able to restart thanks to the quick actions of the officials. If a machine cannot move, it can be towed back from the service road to the paddock, and if the machine can be repaired, the race can continue, which is unique to "JOY TAI".

As time passes, each team's strategy becomes clear. It's not just about speed; teams with good fuel efficiency are gradually moving up the positions. Among them were #813 JWAVE Kanto Mazda RSBS and #6 Versus Racing WARE HOUSE FIT3, but #53 Garage FK☆SPM☆Vitz, showing outstanding fuel efficiency, took the lead with one hour remaining and maintained that position. They completed their pit work, which included refueling, early and pulled away significantly from the teams in second place and below. Then, with 36 minutes remaining, they made their final driver change and returned to the course still in the lead.

In the battle for 2nd place behind them, the competition was fierce. The #27 Chich Roadster was closing in at a high pace from behind the #813 JWAVE Kanto Mazda RSBS, which was running in 2nd place. The #813 JWAVE Kanto Mazda RSBS was desperately trying to escape while updating its best lap, but the #27 Chich Roadster was faster. With 13 minutes remaining, at the exit of the V corner on lap 149, the #27 Chich Roadster moved up to 2nd place. Perhaps the strain from this battle took its toll, as the #813 JWAVE Kanto Mazda RSBS came to a regrettable stop just moments later. It could not receive the checkered flag.

The car leading the pack, #53 Garage FK☆SPM☆Vitz, showed stable performance throughout and completed 155 laps to receive the checkered flag, achieving its first victory.
"The reason for our victory was that everything went according to plan. We improved fuel efficiency compared to last year, and none of the drivers made mistakes. Leaving the driver change for the end was also part of our plan. Thank you very much to everyone who supported us," said driver Takumi Kaneko.

In 2nd place, the #27 Chich Roadster finished 39.154 seconds behind the leader, while #6 Versus Racing WARE HOUSE FIT3 took 3rd place and #9 FSNS Potenza SPMWMFK marked 154 laps in 4th place.

The 2016 "JOY TAI" race had no safety car interventions at all. This may have been a factor that prevented the strategy of #53 Garage FK☆SPM☆Vitz from being disrupted. In its 12th year, "JOY TAI" achieved a remarkable overall victory.