OCTOBER 25, 2005

Motoyama is Formula Nippon champion (again

Satoshi Motoyama last weekend tied up his fourth Formula Nippon title with a victory at Motegi. Starting from pole position the Arting Team Impul driver was chased in the early stages by Andre Lotterer (PIAA Nakajima Racing) and Sakon Yamamoto (Team Kondo). The order remained the same until Lotterer spun because of brake problems, leaving Yamamoto to lead the chase. The championship was assured when Yuji Ide (Mobilecast Team Impul), his series rival, collided with Richard Lyons while fighting for fifth place. Ide continued to chase, despite a damaged front wing while Lyons had to pit. Ide chased after third-placed Takeshi Tsuchiya (Team LeMans) but did not do enough to keep the title open. In the closing laps Yamamoto closed up a nine second gap to Motoyama but the old crusader held off the youngster to win the race and the title. Motoyama now has 46 points to Ide's 35 with just one round remaining and a maximum of 10 points available at the finale at Suzuka on November 27.