Choi and Kato share TCR Japan race wins at Motegi
KMSA Motorsport drivers Choi Jeong Weon and Masanobu Kato have no opposition in TCR Japan and once again they share race wins at the wheel of their Hyundai Elantra cars in the series’ third event at Twin Ring Motegi.
Choi keeps on leading the standings, 21 points clear of Kato.
Race 1 – The four-car field was reduced to three as Kim Sun Yung’s Hyundai i30 N was sidelined by a technical issue. Kato had set the pole, beating Choi by 0.366 seconds and he took the lead at the start ahead of his teammate, while the Audi of series newcomer Takuya Shiga followed, but soon lost contact. For the whole race the two Hyundai cars ran in close formation, with Choi continuously putting the pressure on Kato until he found a way through and passed him in lap 8. One lap later, Shiga went off at T1 and crashed into the tyre wall, which prompted the safety car into action. Racing resumed in lap 12, with Choi controlling Kato and beating him under the flag by less than eight tenths.
Race 2 – Choi was on pole having outpaced Kato by 1.7 seconds in the second qualifying. The two Hyundai cars got away well at the start and ran away, while Kim from P4 passed Shiga who quickly retook the third position during the first lap. After a couple of laps, Kato took the lead from Choi, who remained close behind his teammate. In lap 7, Kim spun off and after his car was recovered from the gravel, he was able to rejoin. Eventually, Kato cruised to victory, 1.6 seconds ahead of Choi, while Shiga was able to finish a distant third.
The championship will return to Motegi for the season finale, on December 7/8.
Championship points
- Choi Jeong Weon, 170 pts; 2. M. Kato, 149; 3. Kim Sun Yung, 73
Picture: TCR Japan
