2019 MFJ All Japan Road Race Championship Series Round 1
TWIN RING MOTEGI SUPERBIKE RACE
April 2019
Official Qualifying: April 6 (Saturday) Weather: Sunny Course: Dry
Final: April 7 (Sunday) Weather: Sunny Course: Dry
ST600
#230 Koyama Tomoyoshi
Qualifying: 4th (1'54"352)
Final: 4th place
# 55 Kunimine Takuma
Qualifying: 6th place (1'54"792)
Final: 5th place
# 420 Kamei Shun
Qualifying: 37th place (1'57"762)
Final: 33rd place
2019 MFJ All Japan Road Race Championship Series Round 1
Mr. Tomoyoshi Koyama overcome the trouble and he got the 4th place top in HONDA Group,
Mr. Kunimine Takuma also finished 5th place!
2019 All Japan Road Race Championships was held in Tochigi Prefecture, Twin Ring Motegi, and the 2nd year season started as Japan's Post HONDA Dream TP. This season, Tomoyoshi Koyama, Takuma Kunimine, and Kamei Shun will race as the representatives for the Japan Post HONDA Dream TP.
Last year, the enthusiasm for this season was considerable, as it was only one step away to winning the title. In order to relieve that regret, the team well-maintained the motorcycle in the off-season and went to a public test which took place a week before the opening. Both Koyama and Kunimine were fully-fledged riders since it was their first time to ride this season but, both are top riders, and they set their motorcycle steadily. On the other hand, Kamei decided to increase the scope of maintenance on its own for the purpose of a better understanding of the motorcycle. But at this point, he was not able to get on track well and could not ride the first day of the test, and he was riding only on the 2nd day.
The opening race of the race week began from the special sports riding on Thursday. It was a start scene, but Koyama had trouble with the motorcycle and was unable to ride at the 1st session. At the 2nd session, the mechanic fixed the machine but again a problem occurred, and it was only 4 laps on the 1st day which is almost impossible to race. He had minor trouble on Friday, and can't even ride for 2 days. On the other hand, Kunimine proceeded the machine set smoothly and got 7th place in both sessions on Friday.
This season, the ST600 class tires are new. Its evolution is well received. Time has generally been up totally and in qualifying, it assumed that the course records would be repainted. Of course, both Koyama and Kunimine thought that they can beat the track record.
The qualifying session held on Saturday noon. Koyama went out on the course. Believing in the machine that the mechanics had maintained until late Friday night. When Kunimine shrunk to 1 minute 54 seconds 792 in the early session, Koyama marked 1 minute 54 seconds 352 in the late session attack. He passed the record time but is 4th. Kunimine was unable to update the time because the late-session attack was unsuccessful but still in the 6th place. Both of them started from the second row.
The final of the ST600 class contested in 18 laps. Koyama made a good start and went into the first corner at 3rd place. Kunimine also raised his position in 5th place. At the 5 corners of the opening lap, Koyama is replaced by Minamimoto and he is down in 4th position.
In the opening lap, Koyama comes in 4th, and Kunimine comes back 5th in the home straight. After that, the top 2 flee, and Minamimoto and Koyama compete for 3rd place. Kunimine wanted to follow Koyama but suddenly, Kunimine will compete with Ebara and Okuda for 5th place.
Koyama had a chance to get behind Minamimoto, but there was a risk. Still, he will risk life and limb in the breaking of the 90-degree corner of the final lap.
However, he did not see the flag cause of west sun and it would be a violation if it is a yellow flag, he contacts lightly with another racer when he reduces speed.
He will go out of course but there is no fall, and he returns to the course immediately. Received a checkered flag in 4th place. Kunimine won the battle at the end of the race and finish the race in 5th place. The Honda group left the top 2 results.
130 people participated in the supporting tour with Japan Post. Many customers visited the Japan Post Booth on the Grand Stand, and it was a great success.
Going forward, we will focus not only on racing activities but also on activities where the all-Japan road races are exciting.
Comments from the racer
Tomoyoshi Koyama Comment
It was a tough week, but together in qualifying. I think that the result that did 100% of things that can be done at present is the 4th place this time. I was riding a public test fortunately so I made some adjustments from the data, and then I adjusted by myself. The final could be followed, but there was a risk to pass. I challenge at the end but it was difficult this time. I didn't make it to the podium, but I think it was a fair result when considering the season.
Takuma Kunimine Comment
I am honored to be able to race Japan Post Honda Dream TP this year.
On the first day, I started well with the top of the 1st race and the second race of the 2nd place, but on the 2nd day I had some troubles, but since I made a step on my own judgment mistakes, I want to try not to go after the next race. The start of the race was not good and I wanted to go about Koyama, At the moment there were risks so I switch my mind, I did my best to do what I could do. I will aim more on in the next round.
Kamei Shun Comment
We would like to thank all the sponsors and supporters of the team for being able to compete in the All Japan ST600 class this season. From this year on, I have increased myself to do my own motorcycle, I had a race with a lack of preparation. After the opening race, I firmly felt that I could not change the way I approach the race by making up for the missing part. I want to improve it by the next race.
Yusuke Teshima Comment
Thanks to the support of Japan Post, Honda, Webike and many others, Thank you so much for your support and we were able to reach the starting line this season. Last year was a disappointing 2nd place, and we have been preparing this year, but the trouble came out on the 1st day of the race week. The flow got worse from there, but the riders stepped on. The trouble was the result of attacking, and I would like to make this lesson a positive one. The event with Japan Post was also a success, and I would like to continue this activity.
