With the Yatabe Arena on-road Grand Prix course featuring a new carpet surface, Yokomo GP Round-37 was the first event held on this track. Without changing the course layout, we ran the race in a non-standard clockwise direction, featuring a total of 7 classes: the 6 classes of YD-2 Scale / YD-2 TC / GT Scale / GT Open / Formula / 12 Stock, plus the SS48 class held on the adjacent sports course.
We also showcased the soon-to-be-released YRX-12 2019 spec and the new GT-500 vehicle at our booth, which many participants took the time to view throughout the day.
In addition, TN Racing set up a booth and provided prizes for our raffle.
TN Racing displayed their YD-2 TC carbon chassis (super limited edition), which also drew interest from many users throughout the day.
■ SS48 Class
This year, the SS48 class was held on the newly established sports course. With the size of the track matching the speeds, cornering technique seemed to have a major impact on lap times.
In the qualifiers, which were based on the best lap time, ☆-kun set the top time to claim pole position. In the finals, ☆-kun and J☆P!! (starting 2nd) pulled away from the pack, engaging in a fierce battle of back-and-forth overtaking until the final stages. A costly crash by ☆-kun with little time remaining allowed J☆P!! to pull away into a solo lead, securing a well-deserved first victory with a 3-second gap over 2nd place.
1st: J☆P!! - 23L 4:05.659
2nd: ☆-kun - 23L 4:08.885
3rd: Raijii~ - 22L 4:00.749
(TQ: ☆-kun)
(Finals Best lap: J☆P!! - 9.725 sec.)
■ YD-2 Scale Class
In the YD-2 Scale Class, which featured close competition due to the top 4 qualifying drivers carrying weight handicaps, kuro (who started in the top spot) gained a slight lead after a scramble among the pack right after the start. From there, each driver completed laps at a consistent pace in the high 17-second to low 18-second range. Later, 393 (starting 4th) moved up to 2nd with a clean pass, and Katsuraji No.1 also continued to run near the front, putting on a spectacular charge in the final stages and clocking an overall best lap of 17.136 seconds. However, kuro, who maintained stable driving throughout, clinched the win by a 2-second margin.
1st: kuro - 13L 4:04.010 (Next race total weight: 1500g)
2nd: Katsuraji No.1 - 13L 4:06.868 (Next race total weight: 1475g)
3rd: 393 - 13L 4:08.900 (Next race total weight: 1450g)
(TQ: kuro)
(Finals Best lap: 393 - 16.157 sec.)
■ YD-2 TC Class
393 set the top time in qualifying. The final started cleanly with no crashes, with 393 in the lead, followed by Kei Racing and Takejiro in their grid order for the first lap. Amidst the close battle in the lead group, 2nd-place starter Kei Racing fell back due to a high-side. While each driver was running lap times in the 16-17 second range, Takejiro, who started 3rd, took the lead and drove a stellar race, completing all laps in the 16-second range to take the victory.
1st: Takejiro - 14L 4:01.191 (Next race total weight: 1425g)
2nd: 393 - 14L 4:02.374 (Next race total weight: 1425g)
3rd: Kazu Racing - 14L 4:07.286 (Next race total weight: 1425g)
(TQ: 393)
(Finals Best lap: 393 - 16.157 sec.)
■ GT Stock Class
The 8-minute final race started cleanly for all cars, leading to a race full of intense battles throughout. The fight for 2nd place between Tabe and Yama-san was particularly exciting, featuring repeated fierce side-by-side racing for several laps.
In the GT Stock class, where drivers must navigate a wide course with limited power, subtle adjustments to the racing line and throttle have a significant impact on times. While many drivers saw variations in their lap times, Caro-san, who consistently turned mid-17 second laps for almost the entire 8 minutes, took the TQ & Win, while Tabe took 2nd place after winning the fierce battle.
1st: Caro-san - 27L 8:05.297 (Next race total weight: 1055g)
2nd: Makoto Tabe - 27L 8:10.075 (Next race total weight: 1005g)
3rd: Yama-san - 27L 8:10.728 (Next race total weight: 1055g)
(TQ: Caro-san)
(Finals Best lap: Takayuki Izumi - 17.000 sec.)
■ GT Open Class
Ueda, who placed 2nd in the previous Round-36, secured the TQ despite carrying the heaviest total equipment weight of 1055g. In the 8-minute final, it was a tense race with little time gap between the top three drivers early on, with 2nd-place starter Katsuraji No.1 engaging in a super-close battle, waiting for an opening from Ueda. However, Katsuraji No.1's attempt to overtake failed after a crash. Su-san, who moved up to 2nd in his place, then engaged in a fierce battle with Katsuraji No.1. In the meantime, Ueda gradually extended his lead and crossed the finish line in 1st place, marking his second win of the season.
1st: Haruyasu Ueda - 31L 8:13.482 (Next race total weight: 1105g)
2nd: Katsuraji No.1 - 31L 8:15.344 (Next race total weight: 1080g)
3rd: Su-san - 30L 8:00.572 (Next race total weight: 1030g)
(TQ: Haruyasu Ueda)
(Finals Best lap: Katsuraji No.1 - 15.125 sec.)
■ Formula Sport
Qualifying leader Mendy pulled ahead from the opening lap, clocking the best lap of the entire final. Yamashita, who started 5th, moved up to 4th on the first lap. Kame-kichi chased Mendy hard but suffered a costly crash on the final lap, falling far behind. Mendy broke away to a commanding lead over the rest of the field to take the TQ & Win.
1st: Mendy - 15L 4:13.513
2nd: Kame-kichi - 14L 4:04.289
3rd: Tashirotokin - 14L 4:11.736
(TQ: Mendy)
(Finals Best lap: Mendy - 15.191 sec.)
■ 12 Stock Class
Katsumi Yokoo set the top time in qualifying. In the 8-minute final, Makotchan (starting 2nd) crashed shortly after the start, allowing Caro (starting 3rd) to move up to 2nd and engage in a battle with Makotchan. With the top three drivers' best lap times in the final being within 0.1 seconds of each other, Yokoo entered a rhythm of his own while the battle for 2nd place unfolded. Ultimately, Yokoo completed 33 of his 35 laps in the mid-13 second range, achieving the TQ & Win with an 8-second lead over 2nd place.
1st: Katsumi Yokoo - 35L 8:02.397
2nd: Caro-san - 35L 8:10.259
3rd: Makotchan - 35L 8:11.856
(TQ: Katsumi Yokoo)
(Finals Best lap: Katsumi Yokoo - 13.168 sec.)
Concours d'Elegance
The next event, Round-38, will be held on Sunday, October 7th.
We look forward to seeing everyone there!