Apr 4, 2012
Opening Race of the 2012 MFJ All Japan Road Race Championship Series: Racer Takumi Takahashi takes second on the MuSASHi RT HARC-Pro, supplied with Akebono brake system!
The MuSASHi RT Harc-Pro (rider: Takumi Takahashi, Honda CBR1000RR), to which Akebono supplies brake system, took second place in the JSB1000 class race in the first round of the 2012 MFJ All Japan Road Race Championship Series on April 1 (Sunday) at the Twin Ring Motegi race track in Tochigi Prefecture.
Rider Takahashi came out strong beginning with his test run and captured the pole position. On the downhill straight of the first lap, Takashi moved from second into first position and was able to stay ahead of the pack for a while. However, during the last half of the race, Takahashi slowed his pace and Katsuyuki Nakasuga closed in from behind, narrowed the gap, and then passed Takahashi on the 14th lap putting Takahashi in second. From there, Nakasuga continued to widen his lead and Takahashi finished in second place. Unfortunately, Takahashi failed to capture the victory, but he did gain a position on the winner's podium for the opening race.
At a press conference after the race, Takahashi commented, "Some true improvements have been made since the preliminary tests, and I felt like I could win this opening race, so it was frustrating to come in second. In the early stages of the race I was able to gain an almost 5 second lead, but then my time suddenly stopped improving. It was an unfortunate result, but I intend to utilize the lessons learned this time in order to win the next race."
Takahashi is expected to demonstrate even greater success in the next race, the 2012 MFJ All Japan Road Race Championship Series Round Two (Suzuka 2 & 4 Race: MFJ Superbike/Formula Nippon). The race will be held on April 14 (Saturday) and 15 (Sunday) at the Suzuka Circuit in Mie Prefecture.
Akebono participated in the JSB1000 class, the top category of the All Japan Road Race Championship Series, from 2004 through 2008. After a two year hiatus, the company resumed its efforts to provide brake systems beginning with the 2011 season. Akebono is also providing the brake system of the MuSASHi RT HARC-Pro for the 2012 season as well.