2024 MFJ All Japan Road Race Championship Series Round 6
Superbike Race in Kyushu
ALL JAPAN ROAD RACE CHAMPIONSHIP
Round 6 AUTOPOLIS
TONE RT SYNCEDGE 4413 BMW
Race Report
September 7, 2024 (Sat) Official Qualifying / Race 1 – Weather: Clear
September 8, 2024 (Sun) Race 2 – Weather: Clear
Venue: Autopolis International Racing Course, Oita Prefecture (1 lap = 4.674 km)
First and foremost, we would like to express our deepest condolences for the passing of Ryota Haga, a rider in the ST600 class race, due to an accident during this event.
Round 6 of the 2024 All Japan Road Race Championship was held at the Autopolis International Racing Course in Oita Prefecture, marking the first time in about three months since Round 3 at SUGO that all classes competed.
This time, the JSB1000 and ST1000 classes had races on both Saturday and Sunday (two qualifying sessions and four races over two days), which meant a lot of work for both mechanics and riders.
The pre-race test at Autopolis was canceled due to the approach of a typhoon, and rider Hoshino had to perform tasks such as testing and bike setup during Friday’s practice. Despite the circumstances, he approached qualifying with a good feeling.
JSB1000 Class Report
September 7 (Sat) Official Qualifying & Race 1 – Weather: Sunny – Course: Dry
● #21 Tomoya Hoshino
○ Race 1 Qualifying: 16th (1’50.978) → Race: 15th
The qualifying session, which took place in the relatively cool conditions of the morning, was shortened by 10 minutes to 30 minutes. Hoshino returned to the pits after three laps to change tires, and then went back out on track, achieving his best time of 1’50.978 on his second lap. While this time was just slightly slower than his personal best (1’50.957), it was nearly a second faster than his time from the previous day, allowing him to start from 16th place on the sixth row.
JSB1000 Class Race 1
● Weather: Sunny
● Course: Dry
● Race Format: 7 Laps (red-flag interruption) + 8 Laps
The start of the race on Saturday afternoon was delayed by about 15 minutes due to an interruption during the JP250 race. Hoshino made a good start, finishing the first lap in 15th place. He moved up to 13th by lap 5 due to the retirement of #6 Tsuda (overrun) and the pit stop penalty for #32 Nozane. The race was red-flagged on lap 7 due to a crash by #30 Nagashima.
The restarted race was set for 8 laps, beginning from the positions at the end of lap 7. Hoshino changed his tires, made a strong start, and crossed the control line in 11th place at the end of the first lap. As the battle for positions continued, he was overtaken by #14 Kodama, #31 Sano, and #17 Sugiyama, who were all slightly faster. In the final stages, he engaged in a close fight with #18 Yanagawa, ultimately finishing in 15th place and securing a valuable point.
September 8 (Sun) Race 2
● Weather: Sunny
● Course: Dry
● Race Format: 18 Laps
● #21 Tomoya Hoshino
○ Race 2 Qualifying: 17th (1’51.002) → Race: 14th
Hoshino started Race 2 from 17th position based on his second-best time in Saturday’s qualifying. The conditions were hotter than the previous day, with higher air and track temperatures. As usual, Hoshino gained positions at the start, passing the control line in 14th place on the first lap. He maintained a good race pace through the early and middle stages, battling with #7 Kiyonari and #17 Sugiyama. In the final stages, he fought for 13th place with Sugiyama but was overtaken on the last lap, finishing 14th. Hoshino’s persistent and calm riding earned him points in both races.
Comments from Tomoya Hoshino
“This has been a tough race for me at Autopolis in recent years, but I was looking forward to this event as the tires prepared by Dunlop seemed to match the Autopolis track well. I was able to improve my times steadily right from the start. In qualifying, I set a time close to my personal best, finishing 16th, and unlike in previous years, I was able to maintain my pace and secure points in both races! I look forward to the next round. Lastly, I offer my heartfelt condolences to Ryoto Haga, who lost his life in an accident during the ST600 class race.”
ST1000 Class Report
Rider Yoshida had opportunities to race continuously in the Suzuka 8 Hours and Motegi 2&4, but it had been a year since he last rode at Autopolis. During Friday’s practice, he couldn’t beat his best time from last year, but he seemed to be in good shape for the qualifying.
On the other hand, rider Zech had not ridden at Autopolis for four years, and he had not had a chance to ride since the Suzuka 8 Hours test in June, making the situation quite challenging. However, he gradually improved his times and entered the qualifying session.
September 7 (Sat) Official Qualifying & Race 1
● Weather: Sunny
● Course: Dry
● #28 Ainosuke Yoshida
○ Race 1 Qualifying: 16th (1’54.369) → Did Not Start
● #33 Zeck
○ Race 1 Qualifying: 23rd (1’56.791) → Race: 20th
Due to the shorter 20-minute qualifying session, both riders aggressively completed laps. Yoshida surpassed his best time from last year early on, recording a personal best of 1’54.349 on his third lap. However, aiming for an even better time, he went off course and crashed at the first corner on his eighth lap. Due to a concussion from hitting his head, he was forced to withdraw from the race by doctor’s orders.
Zech used the full 20 minutes of the qualifying session to gradually improve his time, setting a personal best of 1’56.791 towards the end of the session. He started Race 1 from 23rd position, on the 8th row.
ST1000 Class Race 1
● Weather: Sunny
● Course: Dry
● Race Format: 12 Laps
Race 1 of the ST1000 class was delayed by about 30 minutes. Zech aimed for a better position, finishing the first lap in 22nd place and moving up to 21st after the retirement of #48 Nishimura on lap 3. However, he was unable to run as expected due to mechanical trouble. Nonetheless, Zech persevered and finished 20th.
September 8 (Sun) ST1000 Class Race 2
● Weather: Sunny
● Course: Dry
● Race Format: 14 Laps
● #28 Ainosuke Yoshida: Did Not Start
● #33 Zeck
○ Race 2 Qualifying: 21st (1’56.797) → Race: 16th
Starting grid for Race 2 was determined by second-best times. Zech was set to start from 23rd place with a time of 1’56.797, but with Yoshida and #48 Nishimura unable to start, he began from 21st. The mechanical issue from the previous day was resolved by the mechanics, and he had a good feeling during the morning’s free practice.
Zech made a good start, passing the control line in 20th place at the end of the first lap and overtaking #35 Sato on lap 3 to move into 19th. When #7 Toshima crashed on lap 6, he rose to 18th. He continued with a good race pace, overtaking #24 Kabeya on lap 7 to reach 17th and setting a new personal best time. After #32 Yae crashed on lap 12, he moved up to 16th but ended up in a close battle with #49 Arase, narrowly missing out on a points finish.
Although he didn’t score points as he did in Round 3 at SUGO, he showed clear signs of improvement and gave a performance that holds promise for future races. We also look forward to Yoshida’s comeback, who was forced to sit out due to a doctor’s orders.
Comments from Ainosuke Yoshida
“Thank you always for your support.
The test at Autopolis was canceled due to the typhoon, so we ended up starting our running from race week. I was told by Takamura-san that ‘pre-race imagery is necessary,’ so I focused on imagery training since the test was canceled. It paid off, and I think I was in good condition from the start of the week. However, I crashed and suffered a concussion when I overshot Turn 1 in qualifying, which led to canceling both Race 1 and Race 2. It’s very frustrating, but I will do my best for Okayama.
Lastly, I would like to express my heartfelt condolences to Ryota Haga, who passed away in the ST600 accident.”
Comments from Zeck
“Autopolis was the circuit that inspired me to start racing. Eleven years ago, while touring Kyushu, I happened to pass by Autopolis and saw a track day event happening there, which made me decide to race on a circuit. Four years ago, during my debut season in the All-Japan championship, I unfortunately had to retire due to a mechanical issue at Autopolis.
This race was a chance for me to seek revenge and to achieve a good result at this circuit that holds special meaning for me. Despite the typhoon causing the test to be canceled and limiting our practice time, I gradually found my pace, and the feel of the bike improved with each session, allowing me to steadily improve my lap times.
In Race 1, I had trouble with the electronics, and the electronic control of the shifter wasn’t working, but I managed to maintain my pace and finish the race. I believe this experience gave me confidence for Race 2. In Race 2, I improved my lap times by more than a second and overtook two riders to finish in 16th place. Although I was just a step away from earning points, it was a significant step for me. I am very grateful to the team members who fixed the bike.
However, I couldn’t celebrate wholeheartedly. We received the news of Ryota Haga’s passing, and it was a very difficult round for all participants. I extend my heartfelt condolences to the Haga family.”
Comments from Chief Mechanic Yoshihisa Takamura
“First of all, I would like to express my deepest condolences for Ryota Haga, who passed away during the ST600 race. This is a sport that involves inherent risks, but we are committed to doing everything we can to prevent such incidents in the future.
In the qualifying round, Yoshida crashed, hit his head hard, and suffered a concussion. Yoshida was in a very difficult condition immediately after the crash, so we decided to cancel further participation and withdraw. Despite the pre-race test being canceled due to a typhoon, reducing our time on the track, I think we had a good flow. The setup of the vehicle also moved in a positive direction, and Hoshino was able to earn points in both races. Zech was also just one step away from achieving his goal of earning points.
We aim to maintain this momentum at the Okayama race and prepare for a satisfactory performance. Thank you to everyone who supported us.”
Comments from Team Director Yu Yamashita
“Thank you for your continued support of our team’s activities. This time, it was a race where all three riders were together for the first time in a while.
Regarding Hoshino, he maintained his good form, and the setup of the machine and tires came together well. Along with his tenacious racing, he was able to earn points in both races. Yoshida’s performance showed that the preparation until the previous race was effective. Unfortunately, due to the concussion sustained during the crash in the qualifying, he was unable to participate in the races, but it was a much better event overall.
As for Zech, despite it being his first race in a long time, he improved with each run, gradually shortening his lap times, and ultimately managed to climb up to 16th place in Race 2, just short of earning points.
The next race will be the Okayama round, which will be our team’s first time there in three years. We will once again focus on safety and work together as a team to achieve a better race, so we kindly ask for your continued support.
Finally, I would like to express my heartfelt condolences for Ryota Haga, who passed away in an accident during this race.”
