JapShow Report 2010

Pro Class

With John Bradshaw arriving at the JapShow with his car newly-crowed as “The world’s fastest Skyline”, and Leon Green recently claiming incredible 7.5’s for his Supra, it was all to play for considering that Chris Impey was actually the one leading the championship!

Qualifying was a bit of a fraught affair, with only Leon Green making a full-strength pass. Chris Impey ran a decent 9.2, but it was somewhat below his best performance, and John Bradshaw struggled with an ECU problem that put him out of contention. 

Pro Class Semi Finals

With both John and Chris out with breakages, it was down to Leon to entertain the crowd and drive straight to the finals and ultimately the win. And he didn’t disappoint, starting his show with a 7.6….

Pro Class Final

…And returning for the finals with a 7.502! This is the quickest pass ever made in Jap Drag Series competition! So, although we were without a Pro-class race, we certainly got a great show.

Winner: Leon Green

Fac Mod Class

With qualifying cars slightly thinner on the ground than entries suggested, it was down to just four cars to duke it out for the Fac Mod crown. Gary Gooding was off to an excellent start in his RX7, topping the qualifying tables and making a triumphant return after his last unfortunate outing.

Mark Moseley was hot on Gary’s heels in his Skyline, running an impressive 9.73 and taking the second spot.

Stewart Taylor was still getting to grips with his new Impreza, and Keith Carr was also adding throttle gently to his newly reconstructed Supra after his last outing ended in a fireball.

Fac Mod Class Semi Finals

Keith Carr knew he had a tough gig on his hands against a great-performing Gary Gooding, and he was so anxious to get a good reaction that he red-lit his way out of the race! Gary went on to run a very strong 9.6.

In the other semi, Mark Moseley dithered on the line for a little too long, giving Stuart a half-second head start! But the huge terminal speed shows how he chased Stuart down and passed him just before the line. Mark cut it a bit fine, but was through to the final nonetheless.

Fac Mod Class Final

This was all set to be a great race, with both Gary and Mark running similar times all day. But Gary stuffed his chances on the line, giving Mark a half-second headstart and Gary had little chance of catching up once Mark was up to full steam.

Winner: Mark Moseley

Street Class

A decent entry in the street class was let down slightly by a few no-shows, but the cars who made it out onto track in qualifying set some good times, with similar ETs hinting at the close racing ahead.

Robert Shadwell topped the tables with his super-quick Skyline, and James Willday was about half a second behind him. Malcolm Thomas, Mark Salem and John Stocker were all very closely matched with low-11s, and Jeff Ludgate languished at the bottom of the table, still awaiting return of his RIPS R34 and having to make do with his spare car. 

Street Class Quarter Finals

In the first pairing of the quarter-finals, Jeff Ludgate was out of the traps quickly in his bit to out-react Robert Shadwell. However, despite his superiour reactions, he was no match for Robert’s outright power, and was easily chased down and passed for Robert to take the win.

A pair of bye-runs in the next semi meant that Robert would get a free-ride to the final.

James Willday had a real close race against John Stocker, with John fractionally slower off the line but carrying slightly more speed at the finish allowing him to pass James just as they crossed the line.

Malcolm Thomas and Mark Salem were also set for a close race, both drivers getting good reaction times to the lights but Mark running a below-par 12.8 second run to Malcolm’s strong 10.

Street Class Semi Finals

In the semis, Robert Shadwell breezed through on a bye-run, hard earned through good qualifying and winning in round 1.

John Stocker had another very close race on his hands as he narrowly beat Malcolm Thomas, who managed to run a second slower than his previous race, narrowly handing John the win.

Street Class Finals

Two relative newcomers were together in the finals for the first time, and John Stocker realised he was the underdog. The one advantage he had over Robert Shadwell was his reliability, which has never been in question.

As the lights dropped green, both drivers pulled a good reaction-time, and powered towards the finish-gantry. But whilst John had a clean and uneventful run, Robert Shadwell’s car faltered and lost some speed allowing John to creep ahead for his first ever Jap Drag Series victory.

Winner: John Stocker

FWD Class Qualifying

Guy Chamberlain attended the JapShow as the first FWD car to run a 9, and he topped the tables with a very strong 10.2 second run.

Adam Buckley was right behind him though, and his raucous Civic looked every bit the weapon that might ruin Guy’s weekend. However, Adam snapped a driveshaft on one of his qualifying runs and it meant he slewed sideways into the wall. Damage was light, but it was enough to put his chances of progressing in the eliminations into doubt.

Paul Cresswell held the middle of the table, and newbie Tony Reardon followed on. Karl Hart was running similar times but Robert Carnson was struggling.

Round 1 FWD

In the quarter finals, Guy Chamberlain brushed off Robert Carnson with ease, Robert still struggling with whatever it was that bugged him in qualifying.

A pair of bye runs meant Guy had a shortcut to the final in the next round.

Adam Buckley failed to show due to damage sustained earlier in the day. Karl Hart breezing through to the semis.

Paul Cresswell pulled out a great reaction time against Tony Reardon to move himself comfortably into the semis.

FWD Class Semi Finals

Guy had earned himself a bye run for the semis, so took it easy and ran a stout 13. Paul Cresswell had a tougher time on his hands, up against the similarly performing Karl Hart. Paul got a stunning 0.0 reaction to the lights and left Karl standing, and there was little Karl could do to catch up.

FWD Class Finals

A controversial final that left everyone a little confused! As Guy and Paul pulled into stage, the race was set, but before the starting lights were run, Paul crept forwards too far and rolled out of stage, technically creating a foul. However, something was still blocking the timing beams, and showing he was staged as the lights were run. Guy cut a huge cherry in the other lane before running a decent time, but the race director decided that Paul had fouled first and therefore Guy was the winner.

Winner: Guy Chamberlain

The round points and season standings table are on the main 2010 Points page.