KC Motorgroup Ltd. (KCMG) rounded off Super Formula’s culminating event with Yuichi Nakayama demonstrating strong form despite trying circumstances in the championship’s season finale at Suzuka Circuit over the weekend. Considered as one of the Japanese Formula series’ most challenging rounds, Nakayama was determined to conclude the two-race affair with strong results.
In dry conditions, the 2013 Japanese Formula 3 champion set competitive lap times on Suzuka’s 5.807 km Formula 1 track during Saturday morning’s free practice session despite an issue with his Toyota motor which cost him some valuable running. Nakayama went on to tackle qualifying that afternoon and secured nineteenth position on the starting grid for the championship’s final two races.
In contrast to the circuit’s dry state the previous day, Sunday’s races were held in wet conditions. Nakayama’s performance in the first 19-lap sprint race saw him move up the field from nineteenth to sixteenth position. Unfortunately, the Japanese driver’s efforts ended early after his car spun off track on Lap 9 due to a gearbox downshift glitch.
Repairs were completed in time for Super Formula’s final race and Nakayama went on to finish the 28-lap endurance challenge in eighteenth place later that afternoon. As the 2014 season drew to a close, Nakayama states that his first year competing in Japan’s top Formula series has granted him with valuable learning experience and has helped him develop his skills as a race car driver in the most competitive level.
Yuichi Nakayama: “The final event didn’t end the way we wanted to, but the crew did an outstanding job and made sure that the car was performing well. It was an amazing year filled with new learning experiences. I would like to thank KCMG and Ryuji Doi for giving me this chance to compete in Japan’s top Formula series and also, thank you to all our sponsors who supported us this year.”
Ryuji Doi, KCMG Japan General Manager: “On behalf of the entire team, we would like to extend our gratitude to everyone who supported us in our 2014 campaign. It was a pleasure to have worked with Yuichi as we made impressive headway this year. He demonstrated so much potential in his first year competing in the series and we look forward to working with him again in the future. The team is now looking forward to the 2015 season with an aim to deliver strong results. ”
To find out more about Super Formula, visit www.superformula.net
For more information about KCMG, visit www.kcmg.com.hk. To keep track of latest updates, please like KCMG’s Facebook page or follow @KCMotorgroup on Twitter and Instagram.
