No.1 au TOM’S GR Supra Sho Tsuboi:“I felt frustrated after the qualifying (finishing 2nd) so I came into today’s race determined to win. Considering the condition of the tires, I felt that it would be a good chance (for us). It turned out that we were able to take the lead, and because I thought that there would be other cars trying a no-tire-change strategy, I wanted to give Yamashita-san a good margin of lead, and I think I was able to do that. Yamashita always had rivals chasing him, and I am grateful that he was able to keep the lead in those tough conditions. I am really glad that we were able to come out of the last race (of the season) with a win.”
Kenta Yamashita:“The last race of the season is always an exhausting experience (wry laugh). But Tsuboi-san was able to take the lead in the first lap and continue to expand his lead, and with the team’s fast pit work, I think this was a perfect race. Now that Tsuboi and the team have won this third consecutive championship, I think it may be a record that maybe will never be repeated again in the future (as well as Yamashita’s third straight title). This also means that we have a chance for a fourth consecutive title (laughs). But I think we owe it all to the team.”
No.5 MACHSYAKEN AIR BUSTER MC86 MACH GO Yusuke Shiotsu:“Watching until the goal was finally reached felt like the longest time I could ever experience (smiles). But it’s because it has taken the team 22 years to get this win. I was able to join the team from last year, so I am really glad to see the work of the team until now finally being shown with the result in this final round. I really want to express my gratitude to the team… this is truly great!”
Iori Kimura:“I want to express my gratitude to the TEAM MACH owner, Mr. Tamanaka, for giving me the chance to enter this year’s competition, and to everyone on the team for enabling us to run with no serious trouble. I think this is a race that we won thanks to the support of our sponsors and the fans. And since the (car’s) package has come together from the middle of this season I am really relieved that we were able to win.”
