Naoto Matsukura takes 2014 Japanese TC title

The JMRCA Japanese Touring Car nationals were held this weekend at the small and tight Beetops track near Nishiwaki close to Osaka. Qualifying in the Super Expert class would be a two way battle between Yokomo team mates Naoto Matsukura and newly crowned European Champion Ronald Volker with the pair sharing the top spot in the first 5 of 6 qualifiers, with the deciding 6th and last qualifying run going to another Yokomo driver Hayato Matsuzaki. After 6 runs it would be reigning champion Matsukura on the top spot just ahead of Volker in 2nd and Matsuzaki in 3rd with Tamiya star Akio Sobue completing the top 4. In the finals it was a dominant show by Naoto who would win all 3 A-main finals, albeit by very close margin in all 3 races, to take his third TC title in succession ahead of Volker in 2nd, with Hayato taking 3rd followed by Oyaizu Masayuki in 4th for a clean sweep by the Yokomo team.

Image: Kenji Hosada