Kato crowned double Japanese 1:10 Offroad Champion

Team Associated driver Kouki Kato is the new double JMRCA 1:10 Offroad Japanese National Champion.  17-year-old Kato went into the event at the indoor RC Park Gojo as the reigning 4WD Champion taking the TQ for his title defence ahead of 2WD Champion Yui Kaino.  Team Yokomo driver Kaino would also start his title defence from pole position but in the opening A-Main encounter it was Kato fro P2 who took the win.  Able to convert the TQ to the win in A2 as Kato finished third, the 2WD title went to A3 for a thrilling finish that saw Kato snatch the win and title on the last lap by just 0.005 of a second.  Mugen’s Yusuke Sugiura would complete the podium.  In 4WD, Kato carried his qualifying form through to the A-Main winning the opening two encounter to retain his National title.  Winning A3, Kaino would finished runner-up with the overall Top 3 completed by the Xray of Nana Kaiho.

Image: Kouki Kato [Facebook]