April 2, 2017　Rd. 3 Okayama

Takaboshi eases to a second victory from pole
F3-N: DRAGON holds off Shimono’s challenge

Mitsunori Takaboshi（B-MAX NDDP F3）

Start of Japanese Formula 3 Round 3

The sun was beginning to set when the formation lap of Rd 3 started at 15:10 pm to complete 18 laps, following Rd 2 race that finished just after 11:00.
The starting grid was determined according to the finishing order of the opening race, and Rd 1 race winner Mitsunori Takaboshi (in B-MAX NDDP F3) consequently started from pole, with another front row position held by Sho Tsuboi (Corolla Chukyo Kuo TOM’S F317) and the second row by Ritomo Miyata (Corolla Chukyo Kuo TOM’S F317) and Alex Palou (THREEBOND).
Takaboshi pulled away best – as in the previous two races – from Palou and Miyata, while Tsuboi got a late start, dropping himself down the order to fifth behind Hiroki Otsu (HFDP RACING F312).
The race would see a 3-way battle fought as a leading pack of three with Takaboshi in front soon began to build up a large gap over the cars behind, keeping about a second gap of each other.
Behind them another furious battle for fourth spot would unfold between Otsu and Tsuboi – the two also contended over third spot in Rd 2.

Mitsunori Takaboshi（B-MAX NDDP F3）

A little further back Sena Sakaguchi (HFDP RACING F316) would engage in a scrap with Hongli Ye (KRC with B-Max F315).
As the temperature dropped the field began to have some cars left a lap down, and Takaboshi avoided these with a composed drive while gradually extending his margin over Palou and Miyata, which he would retain to the chequered flag. Indeed he wrapped up this race with perfect results of scoring a point for fastest lap as well, heading into the next round at top in the point standings.
Miyata picked up three consecutive final podiums as he finished in third behind Palou. Otsu secured fourth place after beating his team-mate Tsuboi, with Ye in sixth.

● F3-N: DRAGON makes it two wins from three

DRAGON and his advisor Daiki Sasaki.

DRAGON (B-Max Racing F306) took advantage of his pole position of F3-N to take a lead from Masayuki Ueda (Rn Yamashita Seisakusho F308) ahead of Shigetomo Shimono (CMS AVANTECH F306).
After passing Ueda on lap three Shimono would set about challenging DRAGON to carry out the words he delivered after Rd 2. The CMS had got within a second of DRAGON before the race entered the final stages, but the leader never allowed him an overtaking chance.
“I always checked Shimono’s times, and whenever he improved his pace I also improved my pacel,” said DRAGON, who made it two wins from three. Ueda placed in third behind Shimono.
The second event of 2017 Japanese F3 championship will take place 21st - 23rd April at Suzuka Circuit in Mie.

Result & Entry List PDF