JapShow Report 2009

Pro Class

A high rate of attrition amongst Pro class competitors meant that the likes of Leon Green and Geff Rance were irreparably damaged even before the first qualifier, as testing on Saturday took its toll. However, John Bradshaw and Chris Impey were running strongly, John struggling with settings, but eventually getting the tune right to run a good 8.0 with monster MPH.

Pro Class Final

With just two cars qualified, we jumped straight to the finals, where John was quicker off the line and quicker down the track to beat Chris into the runner-up slot. Chris was pleased to at last have a reliable performance under his belt, and John’s faithful Skyline was back in the points after a disappointing start to the season.

Winner: John Bradshaw

Fac Mod Class

Mark Moseley put in a string of strong and consistent runs in his Skyline to top the qualifying by almost a second. Gary Gooding put in a strong time but damaged his car, and Keith Carr built up to a respectable 10.9.

Fac Mod Class Semi Finals

Mark was awarded a bye run for the semis, and so took it easy for his passage to the finals. Gary Gooding failed to make the line, and Keith Carr was sent to the finals also.

Fac Mod Class Final

Mark Moseley outclassed Keith Carr with better reactions, ET and MPH to take the win by a comfortable margin. Mark’s strong performance earned him maximum points for the day.

Winner: Mark Mosely

Street Class

Johnny McKeon was unstoppable in qualifying, with a stunning 9.6 second run at almost 150mph. James Willday was also pleased with a brilliant 10.1 and David Greenhalgh was also well into the 10’s. Despite a good day on Saturday with strong wheels-up launches, Roy Ashby broke on the final qualifier and was packing up before to head home before eliminations had started.

Street Class Semi Finals

Johnny had a free ride to the final when Roy Ashyby failed to make the line, but decided to put on a show for the crowd anyway. James WIllday drove round David Greenhalgh, who got off the line quicker only to be passed by the flying RX7. Unfortunately for James, his car started to break down as it passed the line at over 100mph and chances of making the final were in doubt.

Street Class Finals

Johnny had the track to himself, as James failed to fix his car in time for time final. A real shame for James, but it would have been a tough ask to match Johnny’s unbeatable form.

Winner: Johnny McKeon

FWD Class Qualifying

In the FWD class put Guy Chamberlain miles ahead of his other competitors, but there were signs that his car had been damaged during his runs. Neil Knight, Paul Cresswell and Adam Buckley were all well matched, but Richard Batty was not running his best and Douggie Gemmell damaged his gearbox on the first run, leaving him without a full compliment of gears for eliminations.

Round 1

Guy Chamberlain failed to make it to the start line for round 1 of eliminations, citing head gasket failure in qualifying as the reason, giving the wounded Douggie Gemmel a clear ride to the final! This was going to really turn the class on its head! Neil Knight lost out to Richard Batty, whose excellent reaction times combined with an improving ET saw him through to the next round. Adam Buckley got the jump on Paul Cresswell in round one, awarding himself with the win through excellent reaction times, despite a slower ET. Great driving Adam!

FWD Class Semi Finals

Douggie took his bye run as an opportunity to test his reactions and ETs for the final, to see how fast he could push his damaged car, running on to a respectable 13 second ET. Adam took the holeshot for the second time in a row knocking Richard out with fractionally better reaction times and a worse ET. The cars crossing the finish line just centimetres apart.

FWD Class Finals

Douggie had it all against him, but his persistence against all odds had paid off so far, and he gave it one last valiant push – all or nothing for the finals… and crunch… his gearbox packed in permanently, leaving Adam on a flying run to an excellent 11.8 run and a well earned victory.

Winner: Adam Buckley

The round points and season standings table are on the main 2009 Points page.