The two Japanese teams that joined the race from this season
TRICK STAR, a team that had declared its full participation in the FIM Endurance World Championship Series, made its entry in the opening race of the 2016-17 season, the Bol d’Or 24-Hour Endurance World Championship. The team was composed of Ryuji Tsuruta, the team manager, and the three riders: Osamu Deguchi, Hitoyasu Izutsu, and Erwan Nigon. The team started from the seventh place after the qualifying session, and won the third place at the end.
TSR/TECHNICAL SPORTS RACING, a team that had showed off its feat at the 24 Hours of Le Mans last year (the third prize winner) even though it was their first try, also had declared its full participation this year. They started from the 4th place at the final and resulted in the 5th place. So close!
The fact that one of the two Japanese teams, that had just begun its full participation in the severe endurance race in which the total ability of both the team and the riders are tested, had won the podium, and the other team had become the high ranking winner, proved their high ability level. We may expect that a first prize winner or even a world champion may come out from these two teams in the near future.
Comments of TRICK STAR Racing
Osamu Deguchi
“We haven’t been expecting to stand on the podium at this Bol d’Or 24-Hour, because it was our first challenge. I’m really grateful for Hitoyasu, Erwan, Ryuji, the team manager, and all of the team staffs. Since we could win the third prize at this opening race, we would like to try to become the world champion at the final race, Suzuka 8-Hour.”
Hitoyasu Izutsu
“TRICK STAR has announced its full participation in the EWC, and came to race at this Bol d’Or 24-Hour. We had been setting a goal to reach the podium, but to tell you the truth, I hadn’t been thinking that we could actually make it. Thanks to Erwan, because he had been making sufficient preparations to take in our team. We owe him a lot!”
Erwan Nigon
“I think many of you are so surprised to see a Japanese team standing on the podium of the Bol d’Or 24-Hour. I mean it’s just amazing! The members of the TRICK STAR had welcomed me at the Suzuka 8-Hour. So this time I made sure to be ready to host them, because France is my homeland. I’m really glad that I could be on the podium with my team.”
Ryuji Tsuruta, Team Manager
“We had ended in the 9th place in the 24 Hours Le Mans three years ago, and I had this frustrating feeling ever since. After that Le Mans, we’ve been participating in Asian races, and I’m truly happy to be able to prove that we’ve actually grown up by gaining overseas experiences. I’m grateful for the riders, team staffs, and all other people who have been supporting us. Thank you very much.
→ Read the full article (Japanese).
Original Source [ SUPERBIKE.JP ] (* Japanese)