The 2012 season of Japanese Formula 3 wrapped up last weekend in Round 7 at the world-class Fuji Speedway with Gary Thompson and Japanese Formula 3 returnee, Naoya Gamou sealing a double podium for the team.
Friday practice went well for both drivers with Thompson emerging 5th fastest in both practices while Gamou came in 4th during the first practice session. The Japanese driver picked up pace and rose to 2nd position during the afternoon practice. Results garnered during Saturday’s qualifying sessions improved for the Irish racer as he took 4th position for Race 1 and secured 3rd place on the grid for Race 2. Meanwhile, Gamou, who was adjusting well to the Dallara F308, qualified 5th place in both races.
Thompson was off to a good start in the opening lap for Race 1. However, efforts to challenge for 2nd position were held off due to a C Class car blocking all attempts by the Irish driver to overtake Takamoto Katsuta. Nevertheless, Thompson maintained 3rd position until the end of the race gaining SGC by KCMG another podium. At the same time, Gamou finished 5th in his first Formula 3 race after being inactive in the series for a year.
As Race 2 ensued in dry conditions, Gamou’s performance progressed with every lap. The Japanese driver started 5th on the grid and was catching up on Kazuki Hiramine in a harrowing battle for 2nd position. Back in his element, Gamou finished 3rd in the Sunday morning race and secured another podium for the team. Thompson, on the other hand, experienced some difficulties with the Dallara F307’s pace and finished 4th in Race 2.
Thompson was not so pleased with the results that he delivered in the final two races at Fuji Speedway. Finishing 4th in the overall standings for the National Class, the Irish driver ruminates over his last Formula 3 event for 2012. “This weekend, I pretty much had as perfect a 2 qualifying sessions as possible! Between the way traffic was on the track, everything just went pretty much perfect in qualifying. Unfortunately, we still qualified 4th for Race 1 and 3rd for Race 2. This was the absolute maximum we could achieve in qualifying. I got a good start in Race 1 and was able to maintain my position in 4th before getting into 3rd later on in a crazy first lap. I know we could’ve done better if only we were not held up by a C Class car since the car felt good and we had decent pace. I was not pleased with how Race 2 went down. But all in all, this was a good season and I would like to thank everybody at KCMG for all their help and support during this year!”
Gamou made an immense improvement over the weekend and also pitched in to the development of the Dallara F308. As per KCMG Japan General Manager Ryuji Doi, there was much progress on the F308 last weekend that its performance can now be likened to the F307. Gamou is also happy to have been able to compete in the championship’s final event with SGC by KCMG. Gamou shares his latest F3 experience and relays his gratitude. He states, “Free Practice was good and I was able to advance the test smoothly. I tested an aero part and I think that good data was obtained. Although I didn’t drive an F3 machine for a long time, I was able to run it satisfactorily last weekend. I was not able to respond to the change of track condition during qualifying and had difficulties since over steer was very strong- especially during Lap 6 in Race 1, where I was not able to raise a pace. The team decided to do a damper exchange after and happily, I raised 4 positions at the start of Race 2 and rose to 2nd position. Also after that, the mechanical balance was stable. Therefore, I was able to run in good state. I’m truly glad to have obtained a chance to represent SGC by KCMG in Japanese Formula 3. Thank you to everyone in the team!”
Ryuji Doi reflected on the team’s 2012 Japanese Formula 3 campaign and deems that the season had been a progressively good one. “I am very happy to have worked with a great team and drivers this year. We have come a long way in terms of development in both cars. There is still room for advancement and we hope to continue to develop the cars for next year. It was a pleasure working with Gary Thompson, Matt Howson and Naoya Gamou, all three who have contributed podiums and Gary producing a superb victory. The boys have worked hard and have been very dedicated. Thank you very much to all the sponsors and to everyone who have been part of our 2012 campaign. We look forward to seeing you all again next season!”
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