JAF ALL JAPAN KART CHAMPIONSHIP EAST & WEST UNITED FINAL

BIREL'S COLOURS CONQUER 4 OUT OF 6 TITLES

Sasaki conquers the title in the top category (100 FA), Kawabata wins the title in the FP-Junior, whereas Ishikawa and Ohtsu win in the FS125 ROTAX and the FS125 Iame respectively.

Suzuka - The Final of the Japanese championship was characterised by great performances from Birel and Winforce (a brand created by the Lissone firm for Yamaha) drivers. Following a fantastic season during which Ohtsu had already become champion in the category FS 125 Rotax, Sazaki (FA), Kawabata (FP-Junior) and Ishikawa (FS 125 -Iame) won on the prestigious and technically challenging track at Suzuka, a further proof of the firm's technical capacities which allow it to be successful in different categories, both in terms of engines and tyres. The most prestigious title was conquered by Sasaki (Birel -R 31) in the top category, the 100cc Formula A. The new champion was helped during the decisive race by his team mate Ishii who, starting in pole position, gave him the go-ahead towards victory covering him from his opponents Nakayama (Intrepid) and Suzuki (Kosmic). Sasaki crossed the finishing line and conquered the title in the best possible way, that is by also winning the decisive race. Behind him came his team-mate Hiraki (Birel R 31), whereas Nakayama only managed 3rd place. After starting in pole position, Ishii finished the race in 6th place behind Suzuki and Nakayama (who was racing for Winforce). In the hard-fought 100 Ica, once again victory went to a Birel chassis, thanks to Fukada who preceded Nakakoji (Kosmic) at the finishing line, followed by two other Birel drivers: Maehara and Nakamura. The title however went to the driver from Kosmic. In the lively FP Junior category with Yamaha engines on the other hand, the title went to the driver of the Winforce team, Kawabata, who followed a very good racing strategy and managed to lead till the last lap, but then settled for 3rd place in order to avoid the risky final sprint. Victory went to Yukawa (Tony kart) who preceded the other driver from Winforce, Katsuta. Finally Ishikawa managed to win both the race and the championship of the category FS 125 Rotax. Before the race the Birel driver was 3 points behind Sawabe (Tony kart), but throughout the weekend he managed to keep the lead and win, whereas his direct opponent could only manage a 4th place behind Doi and Miura, both on Maranello. The success of the Birel and Winforce's drivers generated much interest in the activities managed by Birel Pacific which, on 18th November, will already be on the track with some new drivers to test the Birel chassis R 31 -SE (2008). For further information, please visit the website birel.jp