* Tournament: 2016 Tsukuba Road Race Championship Round 3
* Date: Saturday July 16, 2016
* Place: Tsukuba Circuit (Ibaraki Prefecture)

 
The Tsukuba Road Race Championship Round 3 was held at Tsukuba Circuit under a cloudy sky, a mixture of skies of the rainy season and summer. Keito Abe participated in the S80 class from the Webike Team Norick!

 

 
He failed to get his rhythm and finished the 9th at the qualifier.
At the final race, Keito is steadily raising his position from the 9th start with his characteristic
guts.
Overtaking one after another, Keito succeeded in catching up with a group of the fight for the 5th place; but, he couldn’t raise his position further.
Keito ended up with the 7th. He fell short of the prize.
However, Keito broke his own record with the best lap time of 1’5.742 at the final race!

 

 
It was such a result as showed that he is growing every race.
We are looking forward to his getting a prize or finally reaching the podium in his next race!

 
◊ Rider/Race Result
S80 Class
Keito Abe
Final Race: 7th

 

 

Comments by Keito Abe

I couldn’t get a good time at the qualifier, so I was the 9th starter with a time of 1’6.771.
At the final race, I failed to make a good start and lost my position.
In the beginning of the race, I lost a time in order to avoid an overturned vehicle and got a distance to a motorcycle before me.
“I definitely catch up with him and shorten the distance!” Believing so, I dedicated all my strength to the race.
I made it reach the machine at the 3rd corner and overtook it.

 
I tried to raise my position further and caught up with another vehicle running before me.
I finally overtook the machine in a back straight using a slipstream.

 
My next target is a group of the fight for the 5th place.
There was some distance to the group, but I again devoted all my might to the race! with a mind “I definitely catch up with them!”
I made it reach the group.
But, I could not pass a machine afterward and finished the 7th place.

 
I could update my own record to a time of 1’5.742.
On the other hand, I feel sorry that I missed the opportunity for the prize which stood just before my nose.

 
I will do my best in the next race so that I can get a good time in a qualifier for a better starting grid, make a more competitive race, and reach the podium!

I hope for your continued support!
Lastly, I would like to express my gratitude to my team, the sponsors and everyone who supported me. I really thank all of you.

Keito Abe