Ronald Volker wins Japanese National title

The annual Japanese Touring car national race took place this year at the Kawaba RC Plaza in the centre of Japan to the North west of Tokyo in a city called Gunma. This outdoor track has played was a real challenge for the competitors and luckily the weather stayed dry for the weekend, unlike last weekends 1/8th buggy Nats. Making an appearance in the Super Expert class, coming all the way from Germany, was World Vice Champion Ronald Volker racing for his Japanese sponsors Yokomo. In qualifying it was Yokomo driver Takehiro Yamauchi that stuck it on pole ahead of Volker in 2nd with Hayato Matsuzaki making it three Yokomos at the front. In the 3 leg finals Ronald was able to make a clean pass on Yamauchi in both the first and 2nd final to take 2 wins and sew up the title with 1 leg spare. Takehiro would claim the runner spot, and highest place Japanese driver, with Matsuzaki taking 3rd. Ronald becomes the 2nd German to win the Japanese National title after World Champion Marc Rheinard took the win back in 2007.

Image: Xenon [xenon.ne.jp]