Maejima drives his Alfa Romeo to victory in Sugo

Shuji Maejima made up for the disappointment of yesterday’s TCR Japan’s Race 1 at Sugo by claiming a dominant victory in the second race.
The Go&Fun Alfa Romeo Giulietta had missed the opportunity to win the first race when Maejima spun after the start while he was leading the field into Turn 1. He then rejoined at the back and showed he was the fastest driver on the track.
In today’s race he luckily escaped a pile up at the start that also involved pole sitter Takuro Shinohara’s Audi and the Honda Civic cars of Matthew Howson, Yu Kanamaru and Resshu Shioya.
The collision was triggered by a contact between Howson and Maejima; Kanamaru and Shinohara crashed and Shioya went off in avoidance.
Both Shinohara and Kanamaru were forced to retire, while Howson pitted with a puctured tyre. As the safety car was deployed and circulated for three laps, he had the opportunity to rejoin at the back of the field.
When the race resumed, Maejima was able to pull away from Takeshi Matsumoto, while Race 1 winner Shogo Mitsuyama overtook ‘Hirobon’ for fourth and began chasing Yukinori Taniguchi. On lap 8, Taniguchi spun off onto the gravel and this prompted the safety car into action again.
Racing resumed for the last lap, Maejima was able to build a slender margin, while Matsumoto kept Mitsuyama at bay to secure second place. ‘Hirobon’ was classified fourth.
Howson recovered to ninth and this helped him to retain the leadership in the standings, although his margin has been reduced to only four points ahead of Mitsuyama, while Matsumoto lies third, a further ten points adrift.
The next event of TCR Japan will be held at Fuji Speedway on July 13/14.

Race 2
1. Shuji Maejima (Go&Fun Squadra Corse, Alfa Romeo Giulietta), 12 laps
2. Takeshi Matsumoto (Team Wakayama,Volkswagen Golf GTI), 1.016
3. Shogo Mitsuyama (Green Brave, Volkswagen Golf GTI), 1.231
4. ‘Hirobon’ (Birth Racing Project, Volkswagen Golf GTI), 3.561
2. ‘Yoshiki’ (N-Speed, Audi RS 3 LMS), 3.958

Championship points
1. Howson 73 pts; 2. Mitsuyama 69; 3. Matsumoto 59