June 7, 2015
Rd 9 Fuji Speedway

◎ Cassidy turns his pole position into victory after holding
　 off Takaboshi
　 Ogawa eases to sixth consecutive F3-N class win

It was Nick Cassidy who took pole position in the Rd 9 qualifying on Saturday at Fuji Speedway. The PETRONAS TEAM TOM'S driver settled for fifth on the grid in the previous race as he struggled with clear laps, so he now went out on the track and then immediately returned to the pits to ensure enough distances. "In terms of balance the car was better in the previous qualifying (but it did not lead to a successful outcome). This time I was able to avoid the heavy traffic. I'm glad I took pole position," said Cassidy, who had set 1m34.726, ahead of Mitsunori Takaboshi of B-Max Racing team with NDDP and Kenta Yamashita of PETRONAS TEAM TOM'S, setting 1m34.876 and 1m34.889 respectively. The pole-sitter in the previous race, Nirei Fukuzumi of HFDP RACING would start fourth on the grid.
Setting 1m37.301 Ryo Ogawa of TOM'S was the quickest in F3-N class ahead of Ai Miura of EXEDY RACING TEAM. "I missed the free practice on Friday due to a mechanical failure so I couldn't really bring the car to its highest point in the previous qualifying," said Ogawa, "but I think I did it today even though there are still a lot to improve. I hope I can show you an even better drive for the race."

● Takaboshi and Fukuzumi get ahead of Cassidy
　 at the start of the race

15 machines lined up in dry and warmer conditions than the previous day under a sky with streaks of white clouds when the start grid presentation for Rd 9 started at 10:20 a.m. on Sunday to cover a total of 21 laps, 6 more than the Rd 8. With all eyes focused on the grid Cassidy got a good start from pole position while Takaboshi and Fukuzumi got better starts, the B-Max driver leaping into the first corner at the top of the field, and the HFDP driver taking the inside line as the pole-sitter went off the track into a ditch to drop to third position. Before the end of the opening lap Tsubasa Takahashi of HFDP RACING made two places to place fifth behind Yamashita, who had also dropped to fourth, having got a late start.
Takaboshi came back to front of the grandstand in the lead by 1.2 seconds from Fukuzumi with Cassidy right behind, the Kiwi slipstreaming to replace Fukuzumi at the first corner. Takaboshi was trying to extend his lead, but from lap 3 on Cassidy was beginning to close in with better pace to catch up with the race leader on lap 6. The battle for the third also intensified when Fukuzumi was caught by Yamashita on the straight on lap 5, but the order was not changed this time as Fukuzumi outbraked himself at the first corner.
It was the battle for the third position that saw order change first; just after being overtaken by Yamashita at the first corner on lap 12 Fukuzumi ran out of the track at turn 2, dropping himself down the order.

● Cassidy reclaims the lead from Takaboshi with 5 laps to go

The top spot was also changed on lap 16 when Cassidy reclaimed the lead at the first corner. Takaboshi, however, was not significantly left behind, keeping up with Cassidy waiting for overtaking chance for several laps but Cassidy's defense was extremely tight. Pulling away in the last 2 laps Cassidy scored his fourth win of the season and maintained his lead in the point standings.
"The start was not bad but I was pushed out of the leading pack at the first corner and left down the order," said Cassidy, "and yet, the car had been set up so nicely that I was able to keep up and snatch back the lead. Now I have won at all the circuits that I have raced at. I am very looking forward to driving Okayama Circuit again for the next round."
Once moving up to third place Yamashita was alone and set the fastest lap on lap 13, but all he could do was reduce the gap to Takaboshi. Having overtaken Takahashi to place fifth on lap 4 Daiki Sasaki of B-Max Racing team with NDDP was closely behind Fukuzumi in closing laps but fell short of overtaking to finish behind Fukuzumi.

● Despite traffic jam on the opening lap Ogawa
　 clinches consecutive wins

In the meanwhile Ogawa nailed the start to dive into the first corner in front of F3-N class, but Ai Miura got past him through the Panasonic Corner as he was blocked by some championship class cars. However, she soon slowed down as she was taking an unnatural line before Ogawa breezed past her on the straight. Coming back to front of the grandstand with 1.1 seconds advantage the TOM'S driver went on to a strong lead lapping at 1m37 level from lap 3 on before sweeping to victory by over 18 seconds.
"The car has been even better since its setup was changed yesterday. So I was able to drive as if I were doing attacks in qualifying," said Ogawa. "However, there are still a lot of issues to be addressed including management of tyres and driving. I know I need to improve my performance for my career growth," he mentioned his resolution.
DRAGON scored his eighth podium finish. Despite having saved new tyres for this race the B-Max Racing team driver fell short of putting pressure on Ai Miura.