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| BEST 8 [Hibino vs Inose] |
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Semi-Finals [Hibino vs Hagisako] |
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At the best 8 round, Hibino was matched up against Inose in the 1000 horsepower Toyota Aristo. Despite Inose's high horsepower, his vehicle moved sluggishly due to extra wheel spin. The fast and nimble Hibino followed his opponent very closely from the start, proving his worth. |
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Hagisako proceeded up to the semi finals to battle Hibino. Hibino takes the huge advantage in the first run where he simultaneously starts his slide and tailgates his opponent aggressively. Hagisako couldn't move in on Hibino on the second run and displayed a slight understeer. Hibino wins this round. |
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| Suenaga loses to Deura who has nothing to lose |
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Hagisako saved by Ueo's misfortune |
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Suenaga vs Deura was a part of the best 8 match. There, Deura followed his opponent very closely and aggressively like he had nothing to lose. Although Suenaga's run was good, Deura's performance proved to be much better. This match changed the whole course of the championship tournament. |
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The #2 ranked Hagisako was matched up against Ueo in the best 8 round. Ueo gains the advantage for the first run after following Hagisako very closely. However in the second run, Ueo suffers a blown engine, spinning out of control. After the best 8 matches have concluded, Su4naga's rank was determined, pushing Hagisako as the champion. |
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Hagisako, ranked 3rd overall in the series was Koguchiís opponent for the semi finals. On the first run, Hagisako swerves back straight after witnessing Koguchiís overwhelming speed. Koguchi receives the advantage at this point, and the win as well after keeping on his opponentís tail. |
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At the best 8, Koguchi faced Hibino, who achieved a perfect score on the individual run round. The heated battle continued to the sudden death round where Hibinoís drift swerves back straight while in lead. Koguchi ends up winning after displaying a more aggressive angle than Hibino at the end. |
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| A close battle with Suenaga taking victory |
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Daigo Saito self destructs after following too close |
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The 1st and 2nd place ranked contenders, Okamura and M.Suenaga dukes it out at the best 8 match. When Okamura was in leading position, the match ends up with a tie. However when Okamura is in chasing position, he failed to slide the final corner, handing the win to Suenaga. |
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Daigo Saito in his Tourer is put up against Kamada in the FD3S at the best 16. He receives the advantage after the 1st run but swerves straight on the 2nd run after following too closely. This resulted in a T-bone collision with Kamada. |
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Hagisako was matched up against Hibino in the semi finals. Hibino was doing very well this day in his new S15, however on the second run, mechanical problems concerning his engine leads to his loss. Hagisako advances to the finals. |
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Okamura battles GP Sportsís Komagata in the semi finals. Okamura followed very closely on the first run but had a few mistakes ending the run in a tie. Komagata jumped into the entry turn at great speed on the second run but ended up swerving straight. Okamura takes the win. |
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A heated battle between GP
Sportsís Komagata versus Masao Suenaga |
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Saito crushes the AE86
with his sophisticated style |
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Representing GP Sports, Komagata goes head to head with Masao Suenaga in the best 8 tournament. Both are tied after the first run, after a close tsuiso match. Suenaga makes contact with Komagata in the second run after following too closely. Komagata took the impact, but Suenaga ends up spinning instead. Komagata advances to the next round. |
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This season, Daigo Saito has been appearing in a great number of tsuiso matches whether in D1, or the Street Legals. By leaving a sufficient gap between the AE86, he didnít have to adjust to Hibinoís sluggish machine. This enabled him to perform his own drifts. |
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Fukuyama was paired up against Ken Maeda in the best 8. Although Maeken closed in on him on the first run, he had a single mistake, evening up the score. Maeken spun out on the second run to give the semi final advancement to Fukuyama. |
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His semi finalist opponent was Ueo. Ueo gains the advantage on the first run. Fukuyama managed to close in on Ueo who understeers. Fukuyama advances to the finals. |
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The young guns Saito vs. Matsui battle
in a slippery situation |
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Ueo barely avoids his spinning opponent |
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At the best 8 competition, the young guns Saito and Matsui battle it out. The first 2 runs, both parties end up spinning out and were given another opportunity. There, Saito spins out again, and the win was given to Matsui. |
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The best 8 was Komagata vs. Ueo. Komagata spins out on both runs. On the second spin, Komagata started spinning at a high rate of speed, with Ueo barely avoiding a deadly crash. |
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Inose was put up against Hagisako in the quarter finals round. During their first run, Inose gets left behind by Hagisakoís speed but achieves the advantage after Hagisako swerved back his drift. Inose secured his advancement after making no mistakes in their second run. |
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Yashio Factoryís Okachan was his semi final opponent. Although Inose messed up his entry while chasing, his speed and angle was much better than Okachan. |
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| Matsui Showed his Fighting Spirit |
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Saito with his Exuberant 4 Door Entry |
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One of the 4 best 8 match was Matsui vs. Honma. While in pursuit, Matsui pressured Honma by closely following his tail. Matsui made no mistakes when in lead. |
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Daigo Saito showed unbelievable entry speed considering his heavyweight 4 door sedan. His extreme and angle and speed pushed his advancement to the best 8. |
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Suenaga's opponent in the best 16 round was Hiyane. Hiyane claimed that he needed more practice time after understeering during battle. Suenaga excelled at chasing Hiyane the entire time. |
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At the quarter-final round, Suenaga was matched up against Hibino. Hibino could not keep up by chasing Suenaga's cornering speed on the first match. The second run Hibino exhibited his infamous 'Ebisu leap' but failed to win after swerving back during mid drift. |
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| The Master Tuner Oka-chan Steals the Win |
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Nomuken Understeers After Following Too Closely |
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Yashio Factory's Oka-chan was put up against GP Sport's Komagata who swerved back when chasing Oka-chan. Because of this, Oka-chan was declared the winner of this battle. |
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Following 3 consecutive 100 point solo runs, Nomuken understeers after following his opponent too closely at the quarter-finals. He could not proceed past the best 8. |
