#1 Okamoto, the defending champion, was challenged by others and finished the qualifying session in third place. As for the actual race, Okamoto was battling with #230 Tomoyoshi Koyama until the last second of the race which led to video verification, but Okamoto ended up finishing in second place. “I just want to say that I’m disappointed at the results. I want to be much faster and stronger,” he commented.
Takahiro Sohwa, the team manager, said “As for Okamoto, this time Koyama’s experience defined the race results, but I don’t want Okamoto just to win races. But rather, want him to broaden his margins by two or three seconds from the runner up. I want him to be faster. Furthermore, I want to compliment Sekino. He is getting faster than last year and I believe that he will do more for sure. And Suzuki followed our advice and shortened 1.1 sec. We were able to witness progress from his results. I think these sort of experiences will make him faster to aim for higher positions.”
<Results>
51 GARAGE NITRO RACING
5.25～26 THE 3RD ROUND SPORTS LAND SUGO
#1 YUKI OKAMOTO Qualfying 3rd Race 2nd
#51 KAITO SEKINO Qualfying 28th Race 19th
#51 TAKASHI SUZUKI Qualfying 36th Race 34th
