[D1 GRAND PRIX SERIES 2007 ROUND7 in FUJI SPEEDWAY] Report
Fuji Speedway is one of most famous international circuits in Japan. The track is home to such events as the Formula1 Grand Prix and now, the D1GP. The circuit boasts a wide course where drivers utilize high entry speeds much like D1GP Autopolis. This also includes a slow 2nd corner hairpin where drivers found; there were only a few lines of approach. Therefore, the driving machines needed to have a well balanced setup in order to run the best line.
Team T&E: Takahiro UENO [VERTEX RIDGE TE3006 Soarer] and Tomokazu HIROTA [VERTEX VEROSSA] competed during Friday’s practice session. On this day, Ueno has some bad luck as he ran off course! However it was determined the Soarer was still in great condition, thus allowing him to return to the track. Ueno also prepared for the rain (as it was forecasted) on Saturday. It was great day for him and we were ecstatic that the final round of the D1GP would bring success to Mr. Ueno.
Unfortunately for Hirota, it was discovered the Vertex Verossa suffered a steering and diff problem during the Friday practice. Therefore, Team T&E mechanics took the car back to our factory, SUI:VAX to find/fix the problem.
On Saturday, the rain stopped, it was a beautiful day and things were looking better for Team T&E. As Mt. Fuji majestically shined the land, T&E mechanics and Hirota returned with the Vertex Verossa ready to run! Hirota was more motivated than ever and wanted to repay the mechanics for their hard work with a good result. However there wasn’t enough time to track tune/practice, as qualifying session already started. He approached 1st corner (174km/h) but his speed was average and the approach line wasn’t good enough to mark higher points. Although Hirota had done his best run, (score: 99.75!) it wasn’t enough to pass the qualifying session. Sadly, his 2007 D1GP year ended at qualifying session.
On the other hand, Ueno was ready for the session. He showed 2 fantastic runs with the fastest entry speed of the session: 184km/h! He passed qualifying session with a score of 99.80, winning 3rd place! He was already concentrating for Sunday’s session after the session, in order to get more points to determine his 10th championship ranking.
On Sunday, many participants and staffs came to the track for support Ueno’s last race in 2007. Ueno was very relaxed and ready for the final session. It was a high level for the final round.
Many other drivers marked full mark. Ueno had a nice run during the 1st lap however, it wasn’t good enough to get a full mark. At the 2nd lap, he appeared with perfect angle, smoke, sound and approach to the hairpin corner. The Vertex Ridge TE3006 Soarer fantastically passed the corner! The audience and commentary was screamed out and he got full marks with the run. His approach speed marked 187km/h which was once again, the fastest in the session! As result he was awarded 1st place in qualifying session and advanced to tournament session!!
During the opening tournament session, Ueno competed against Mr. Masao SUENAGA with Trust Amamiya FD3S RX-7. This match proved to be a battle of strength as Mr. Suenaga won 2nd place during D1GP round 2 in Fuji Speedway and as he has proved to be comfortable with the Fuji track in past years. Ueno on the otherhand, got a win from Suenaga during the previous round in Autopolis.
As the 1st run was began, Ueno was preceded. He showed a fantastic lap and got the advantage. (6:4) Mr. Suenaga showed nice run as well as Ueno and took advantage. (4:6) The judges called for ONE MORE TIME and wanted to watch their run once again.
Ueno was preceded in 2nd run, Mr. Suenaga came inside of Ueno and he took advantage. (4:6) Mr. Suenaga was preceded in 2nd run, then showed a fantastic run but Ueno was much better and wild with his driving style. Ueno took advantage. (6:4) The judges still couldn’t decide winner! Therefore Mr. Ueno and Mr. Suenaga competed for another ONE MORE TIME.
Ueno was preceded in 3rd run, he still showed crazy drifting but Mr. Suenaga came inside of Vertex Ridge TE3006 Soarer and took advantage. (4:6) Mr. Suenaga was preceded in 3rd run, Ueno came perfectly just before hairpin corner but he couldn’t come enough inside of Mr. Suenaga. Mr. Suenaga took advantage just 0.5 points more than Ueno. (4.5:5.5) Ueno’s 2007 season finished with the so close game.
As a result, Mr. Ueno finished 9th place at D1GP round 7 Fuji Speedway. Team T&E is very disappointed with this result. Especially Ueno was in good condition from middle of season also the team was well organized for 2007 last round.
However Ueno placed 10th on 2007 series ranking and he will be registered as seeded driver in 2008 season!
We would like to appreciate our sponsors, supporters, fans and all of the participants.
Team T&E will be in Irwindale Speedway in Los Angeles on 23rd -25th of November. We hope Ueno and the team will be able deliver fantastic times for the great fans! See you at Irwindale….
