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F-Nippon / Super GT News
Matsuda and Hirate dominate in Suzuka
15/07/2008
Spectators at Suzuka on Sunday 13th July witnessed Formula Nippon history as the circuit played host to the inaugural two race, reverse grid system as currently used in the GP2 Series. Tsugio Matsuda of the Lawson Impul team dominated the first race, whilst Checker Impul’s Kohei Hirate won race two for his first Formula Nippon victory.
In the new two race system, each race is considered separately with the top eight drivers in race 1 and the top five drivers in race 2 receiving points. The standings of the first race, from first to eighth place, are then reversed and used as the starting grid for the second race.
Qualifying saw Matsuda claim his fifth consecutive pole position, whilst his team-mate, Benoit Treluyer, took second spot after rectifying previous set up problems. PIAA Nakajima Racings’ Takashi Kogure claimed the third grid position.
Temperatures soared to 33 degrees on race day, Matsuda stalled on the start line allowing Treluyer to take the lead. Treluyer didn’t hold the lead for long though as on lap two the wheel-nut of his left rear tyre became loose, preventing the Frenchman from keeping up the pace. Matsuda reclaimed the lead and went on to win.
At the start of race two a major accident involving four vehicles meant the first three laps were run under the safety car. Motoyama led the race with a 1.7 second lead over second place Hirate, until lap 14 when the TP Checker Impul made a pass and went on to claim the victory.
Tsugio Matsuda, Lawson Impul, said:
“I made a mistake at the start but I was able to take the lead when my team-mate had a problem. Temperatures were so high and the track was hot as well, so I managed my tyres effectively for the win. It was a hot and hard race.”
Kohei Hirate, TP Checker Impul, said:
"I followed the leader and I thought I had a chance to over take. It was 130R, I had the chance and I took it. I am so happy but the reverse grid system meant I was lucky to start from second position. I want to win race 1 next time.”
Yasuo Teranishi, Bridgestone senior technical adviser, said:
“We expected high temperature conditions at Suzuka but it was over 50 degrees in race 1. It was extremely hard for the tyres. Even in these conditions, our tyres showed good performance from start to finish. Congratulations to Mr. Matsuda for his fourth win and Mr. Hirate for his first win.”
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