Mitsutyama scores Volkswagen’s first win in TCR Japan

Shogo Mitsuyama of Green Brave Racing claimed his and Volkswagen’s maiden win in TCR Japan at Sugo Sportsland.
Mitsuyama benefited from the mistakes of his rivals to take command at the start and then led for the whole race, controlling the return of Takuro Shinohara’s Audi.
Shinohara sat on pole position, but made a poor start, dropping to fourth behind Shuji Maejima’s Alfa Romeo Giulietta, Mitsuyama’s Golf and Matthew Howson’s Honda Civic. From second on the grid Maejima was leading into Turn 1, but he spun off and rejoined at the back of the field.
On lap 2, Shinohara moved into second overtaking Howson and began to close the gap from Mitsuyama. For the rest of the race the Audi followed the Golf, but never find a gap to pass.
Behind the two leaders, Yu Kanamaru’s Team Goh Honda overtook the KCMG Civic of Yukinori Taniguchi for fourth and then attacked Howson’s third position. During the penultimate lap, Kanamaru made an attempt to pass on the outside line, but lost control and spun off.
Takeshi Matsumoto stole fourth place from Taniguchi who won the Gentleman Drivers class. As for Maejima, after spinning a second time in the early stages, he was the fastest driver in the second part of the race and completed a great recovery by finishing seventh.
In the championship standings, Howson retained the lead, while Mitsuyama climbed to second, 14 points behind.
Race 2 takes place on Sunday at 16:35 local time (09:35 CET); live streaming at www.tcr-series.com and www.tcr-serie.tv.

Race 1
1. Shogo Mitsuyama (Green Brave, Volkswagen Golf GTI), 17 laps
2. Takuro Shinohara (Hitotsuyama Racing, Audi RS 3 LMS), 0.717
3. Matthew Howson (KCMG, Honda Civic FK8), 11.846
4. Takeshi Matsumoto (Team Wakayama,Volkswagen Golf GTI), 15.431
6. Yukinori Taniguchi (KCMG, Honda Civic FK8), 17.342

Championship points
1. Howson 68 pts; 2. Mitsuyama 54; 3. Shinohara 50