2004 CIK FIA ASIA PACIFIC - FORMULA A CHAMPIONSHIP

HUMEGAKI ON THE PODIUM

THE BIREL PACIFIC DRIVER CONQUERS THE POLE POSITION AND MISSES OUT ON VICTORY BY A HAIR’S BREADTH.

Hiroshi Umegaki and Ronnie Quintarelli defended Birel colours in the prestigious Suzuka race, which actually closed the 2004 sport season. The two drivers entered the arena with the Birel Pacific Team. This organisation has been successfully managing the Lissone company's activities in the Far East for many years. Hiroshi Umegaki was the great protagonist of the event, earning the pole position during qualifiers and starting in the first row in the Final after finishing 2nd in the Pre-Final. He led the race at length, and lost out to Plowman and Molina in the last lap. Three bends from the finishing line, the Japanese driver was in the lead, but Plowman forcefully attacked, also favouring Molina who moved into 2nd place. Humegaki then closed the race in 3rd place, conquering a prestigious podium. However, in light of what he achieved during the entire weekend, this placing probably did not satisfy him completely. Quintarelli was even less satisfied, since having won the F3 title in Japan, he would have liked to finish off 2004 with another important victory. However, his Dunlop tyres did not prove trustworthy, forcing him back into reserve positions until he was hit and definitely excluded during the final race.