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What's AFOS? - Another rival Meckel Ali(IND), who looks like a famous Japanese celebrity, is currently a top driver of point ranking in this year. This is his second year of AFOS. Everybody had been realizing his skill but the ranking was fourth last year. Since he won two races in a row in Johor, he came in second at Sepang circuit too. His current points are 74.5 and we can say he is currently leaving all the other drivers far behind. Dennis, who is the second ranking, has 55 points. The third is Tohru, 54 points. Can Meckel keep on top of the ranking? Once you win a race, you can get 20 points. The battle of the top three is being watched with interest. 20 Aug. 2002 |
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Race Report Rd.5 & Rd.6 - 20th & 21st of Jul, Sepang Rd.5 and Rd6 have been held for 2 months at Sepang circuit, which is well known as an F1 circuit. One round of the circuit is 5.5Km. There are well-balanced high-speed corners and low speed corners. The circuit is wide enough and it is easy to see from a cockpit. It looks like there are many useful lines on the road. However because the straight behind narrow exit, low road surface etc we'd better say the useful lines are quite few. It is necessary to be patient in order to over take in the race. AF2000 - Rd.5 This time's hot topic was the participation of Fabian Coulthard (NZL) who is a cousin of David Coulthard, the F1 driver. At qualifying, Mike Potenciano (PHI) came to the pole position, Dennis Lian (SIN) finished in second in this rainy race. Keiko Ihara (JPN) finished in sixth, Tohru Jitsukawa (JPN) was eighth due to a spin on the way. It became a difficult race for Japanese drivers. At main race, Mike Potenciano, who got the pole position, was getting to lose his position due to engine trouble. Finally Coulthard won the race with the fastest lap. Meckel Ali (IND) completed second, Dennis Lian finished third and Tohru's dash couldn't reach them and finished forth. AF2000 - Rd.6 At qualifying, Coulthard got the pole position as we expected. Ihara followed him by 0.04 sec. At main race, the top two finished as the same position. Potenciano, who started from the third position, had engine trouble again and stepped back. Lian came in third, Ali finished forth and Jitsukawa was fifth. ATCS - Rd.5 Division1 - Toni Ruokonen pole to won. Div2 - Lam Ka Sung won. Div3 - Lo Ka Fai came to the pole position with holding upper div 2 class and won. Kamami Takeda finished in fourth in this rainy race. ATCS - Rd.6 The weather finally changed to dry. Div1 - Toni Ruokonen pole to won again. Div2 - Ao Chi Hung won. Div3 - Lo Ka Fai won again. Takeda came in third under quite difficult conditions. This race looked special for her. Her team helped her to do her best and she was so over joyed that she couldn't repress her tears at the interview. 20 Aug. 2002 |
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What's AFOS? - Drivers I'd like to talk about Denis Lian (SIN) who is one of AF2000 racing drivers. He was third in the 2001 AF2000 championship. This year, unfortunately he couldn't finish the race Rd.3 and 4 in Johor Bahru but he achieved to win opening two races in a row. When he was 16 years old, he started his racing career from go-kart in Asian countries. In 1997, he won a championship at Melbourne Asian Car Race in Australia. After that, he challenged rally, formula car, touring car and always came in the top 3 in any category. His goal for this year is of course, the AF2000 champion. 3 Jun. 2002 |
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The Man of the month Shinichi Takahashi - M.A.L Japanese Representative Mr. Takahashi is a Japanese Representative of MAL, which is AFOS organizer. His first encounter with motor sports was with Team Lotus in the early 90s when F1 was booming in Japan. F1 was supported by a lot of Japanese companies. Team Lotus was also supported by these companies whose sponsorships were collected by Mr. Takahashi. After he became involved with F1, Cart and personal management of drivers, he got his current position. His cheerful character makes everybody happy. He is a popular man in padoc too. 3 Jun. 2002 |
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Race Report Rd.3 & 4 -18 and 19 May, Johor | |
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The second venue was Johor Bahru, Malaysia which is very close to the border of Singapore and Malaysia.
This city is rather famous for Japanese tourists and business men.
First we flew to Singapore Airport and then we took a taxi to the border.
We transferred to another taxi there and passed thorough immigrations while we were in the taxi. AF2000 - Rd.3 At this time, news about the Malaysian racing team participating in the race for the first time was in the local newspapaer and the participation of Keiko Ihara (JPN) who was a F3 driver became the talk of the circuite. Keiko Ihara came in second for both qualifying. Denis Lian got pole position but he had to retire during the race due to gear box problem. Meckel Ali (IND) won, Keiko Ihara completed the second and Thoru Jitsukawa came in third. Two Japanese mounted the podium. AF2000 - Rd.4 Meckel Ali pole to won. Keiko Ihara was second and Nick Thomas (AUS) came in third. ATCS (Division 1) - Rd.3 & 4 Toni Ruokenen (FIN) pole to won again, he has won four races in a row since the opening race. ATCS (Division 2) - Rd.3 & 4 Koji Matsuda (JPN) pole to won for both races. 3 Jun. 2002 |
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The Man of the month Richard Smith - Chief mechanic He is mainly in charge of the cars which are provided for "Arrive'n Drive" drivers. "Make drivers happy" - this is his motto. That's right, he always understands what drivers want and do his best for drivers. His positive thinking motivates drivers to work full of energy. Of course, the other mechanics and staff rely on him very much. 25 April 2002 |
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Race report Rd.1 & Rd.2 |
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The Asian Festival of Speed (AFOS) season just began on 13th April. The first venue of this season was Subic International Raceway in the Philippines. Here in Philippines, everybody expected the Hottest races. AFOS is one of the biggest Asian Motorsport Events. It has Asian Touring Car Series (ATCS) and Asian Formula 2000 (AF200). The biggest events of AFOS was filled with large numbers of audiences. ATCS Round 1 - Toni Ruokenen (FIN) who was previous BTCC Champion and Kanami Takeda (JPN) who was the only lady driver in ATCS were attracted a great deal of attention. Div 1, Toni Ruokenen finished pole to win. Div 2, Danny Stacy Chaw (CHA) won, Kanami Takeda (JPN) came in second. ATCS Round 2 - Div 1, Toni Ruokenen won again. Div 2, LO Hung Pul won and Danny Stacy Chaw (CHA) was second. AF2000 Round 1 - Denis Lian (SIN) who was second in qualifying, won. Mike Potenciano (PHI) came in second, Tohru Jitsukawa (JPN) completed the third. Another Japanese Hirotake Machida finished in sixth. AF2000 Round 2 - The race was stopped at the halfway due to an accident. Half point was added to the top 6. Denis Lian (SIN) won again, Meckel Ali (IDN) came in second. Tohru Jitsukawa completed the fifth. Championship Positions; 1. Denis Lian 30pts, 2. Mike Potenciano 21pts, 3. Tohru Jitsukawa16pts. 15 April 2002 |
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The Opening race is 13th and 14th Apr '02 at Subic |
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First of all, I would like to give special thanks to my sponsors, Human Interactive Technology, Ginger, and each Governmental National Tourist bureau that give me continuous support. In this year, the first race will be held on 13th and 14th Apr. at Subic, the Philippines. Next, we will move to Malaysia, Thailand, Korea, China and Macau. The race report will be updated at this site continuously. I appreciate your supports. Tohru Jitsukawa 8 April 2002 |
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