On Sunday, February 12th, we held the first Yokomo Grand Prix of the year at Yatabe Arena.
For this event, we changed the course layout on the control tower side, resulting in a more technical track with more tight corners than usual.
As a highlight of this tournament, we unveiled an RWD touring car based on Yokomo's 'YD-2' drift kit, a new category we plan to introduce in future Yokomo Grand Prix events. The name of the new category will be the 'YD-2TC Class.' This class will be a one-make series using the 'YD-2TC (Touring)' kit, which Yokomo will release at the end of March. The differences between the 'YD-2 (Drift)' and the 'YD-2TC (Touring)' are the front steering knuckles, steering bellcrank (center link), damper springs, body, and tires. The body and tires included with the kit are also made by Yokomo, and the kit is priced at ¥29,800 (excluding tax).
During the lunch break, we held a demo run and test drive session for the YD-2TC, and it was very well received by many people who tried it out. Customers who usually enjoy the drift course also gave it a try, and they commented that it was 'easy to drive' and 'fun' due to its manageable speed—not too fast—and its stability, which prevented it from spinning even during full braking despite being rear-wheel drive. The power source will be the Yokomo ZERO or ZERO2 brushless 21.5T motor, with a tire RPM limit (5400 rpm or less) applied.
The YD-2TC class will begin at the next Yokomo Grand Prix Round-32 (to be held on May 7th). It is positioned as an 'easy way to enjoy touring cars,' so we hope you will feel free to participate. Furthermore, in the future, we also plan to hold a 'YD-2TC Scale Car Class' where users can compete by mounting drift bodies on the YD-2.
Concours d'Elegance
■ Super Scale SS48 Class Final Results
Immediately after the start, mogyy (starting in top position) and ☆kun (starting 2nd) pulled away from the pack. However, ☆kun crashed into a lap marker and fell back, allowing mogyy to escape and take the win.
1st: mogyy
2nd: ☆kun
3rd: Akky
(TQ: mogyy)
■ GT Stock Class Final Results
The race started cleanly in the order of the bib numbers, with kuro, Caro-san, Katsu-Radi No.1, and Autoliv proceeding at approximately 0.3-second intervals. kuro pulled ahead, while Caro-san and Katsu-Radi No.1 engaged in an extremely close battle that led to a collision between the two; they returned to the battle in the spirit of fair play. Behind them, Autoliv and YAM3 also fought a tight battle. Meanwhile, kuro pulled away to take the top finish.
1st: kuro
2nd: Caro-san
3rd: Katsu-Radi No.1
(TQ: kuro)
■ GT Open Class Final Results
During the first lap, positions 1 through 6 drove in a clean formation. Su-san and Mook, as well as YAM3 and Caro-san, drove tail-to-nose for several laps. Midway through the race, whether due to Su-san's pace dropping or Mook's increasing, the two cars closed the gap rapidly; Su-san spun out alone, allowing Mook to take the lead and cross the finish line.
1st: Mook
2nd: Su-san
3rd: Takejirou
(TQ: Su-san)
■ Touring Class Final Results
Kattobi Momotaro (starting 2nd) hit a fence on the first lap and performed a 360-degree spin, but managed to keep running while maintaining 2nd place. Ganbare Rilakkuma (starting in the top position) maintained a consistent lead from start to finish, clocking his best lap on the final circuit to secure a comfortable top finish.
1st: Ganbare Rilakkuma
2nd: Kattobi Momotaro
3rd: Tokyo Patent Permission Bureau Chief
(TQ: Ganbare Rilakkuma)
■ Formula Sports Class Final Results
In the final with 11 cars, Kame-kichi (starting in top position) crashed shortly after the start, allowing Rosagiwaku (starting 5th) to move up to 4th. Nozomu Iizuka and Mendy led the race in that order, followed by Boku Raikkonen. While Kame-kichi set the best lap and engaged in a battle for 2nd place with Mendy, Iizuka pulled away to secure the top finish.
1st: Nozomu Iizuka
2nd: Mendy
3rd: Kame-kichi
(TQ: Kame-kichi)
■ 12th Stock Class Final Results
Immediately after the start, Baba (starting 3rd) crashed and fell to 5th, while Yokoo (starting 2nd) and Mook (starting 4th) collided, allowing Baba to move up to 2nd. Shiohara (starting top) took advantage of the chaos to pull away into a solo lead. Mook set the best lap and cleanly passed Baba to move into 2nd, but Shiohara, having widened his lead in the meantime, took the win.
1st: Kazuyuki Shiohara
2nd: Mook
3rd: Goro Baba
(TQ: Kazuyuki Shiohara)
The next event will be held on Sunday, May 7th, the final day of Golden Week! Since a new class will be starting, we look forward to many participants!