INTERNATIONAL WRAP: WEC JAPAN & AUSSIES OVERSEAS

Toyota win interrupted WEC race at Fuji, Japan – Photo: LAT

WORLD ENDURANCE CHAMPIONSHIP – JAPAN

Toyota have taken 1-2 victory during a dramatic weather interrupted 6 Hour race at Fuji Speedway.

The No.8 Toyota of Sebastien Buemi, Kazuki Nakajima and Anthony Davidson took advantage of the challenging wet and foggy conditions to claim victory ahead of their teammates in a race that featured six Safety Car periods, one Full Course Yellow and two red flag stoppages.

The race got underway initially under the control of the Safety Car due to the wet conditions with the Championship leading No. 2 Porsche of Brendon Hartley, Earl Bamber and Timo Bernhard leading the way. However, issues after their first pitstop saw them drop the order, losing a lap on the leaders to finish in fourth.

They weren’t ones with issues, with the No. 1 Porsche and No. 7 Toyota making contact with each other at the start of the race, sending the second Porsche to the rear of the field. They fought their way back through the field to take the final spot on the podium.

The race was initially stopped for 30 minutes just over an hour into the race due to due to visibility concerns. Four and a half hours into the race it was stopped for a second time, and would not resumed, handing the win to the Toyota.

The No. 31 Vaillante Rebellion of Bruno Senna, Julien Canal and Nicolas Prost took out the LMP2 Class.

LMGTE Pro went to the No. 51 AF Course Ferrari of James Calado and Alessnadro Pier Guidi, while LMGTE Am went to the No. 54 Spirit Of Race Ferrari of Miguel Molina, Francesco Castellacci and Thomas Flohr with the rain and shortened race mixing up the order throughout the field.

MOTOGP – JAPANESEGP

Andrea Dovizioso leading Marc Marquez at Motegi, Japan – Photo: LAT

Andrea Dovizioso stole victory away from Marc Marquez in the final corners of the MotoGP race at the Twin Ring Motegi in Japan.

Marquez launched from the start to claim the lead through the opening few corners. However, Ducati’s Jorge Lorenzo would force his way past to the lead before the completion of the first lap.

Pramac Ducati’s Danilo Petrucci would move into the lead a lap later, and hold that position until mid-race, when Honda’s Marquez would reclaim the lead. Petrucci would hold on to claim the final spot on the podium.

However, out in front a battle would ensued between Dovizioso and Marquez, with the championship leaders trading places several times. Marquez held the advantage at the start of the final lap, but a moment through with just six corners to go gave Dovizioso the opportunity to get past and claim the win. Marquez finished second.

The result reduces Marquez’s lead in the championship to just 11 points over Dovizioso heading into the next MotoGP round at Phillip Island.

NASCAR – TALLADEGA

Brad Keselowski wins in Talladega – Photo: LAT

Brad Keselowski has won a carnage filled NASCAR race at Talladega Super Speedway that saw just 14 cars left running after a race interrupted by three red flags.

The action packed race left just two playoff contenders, Keselowski and Denny Hamlin, running at the chequered flag. The win sealing Keselowski’s place in the next round of the playoffs.

“This is still sinking in.” said Keselowski, “It’s a special place to get to race and a special place when you win here.”

“It was really a collaborative effort with the team and getting a real fast car and making the right moves as a driver and a lot of help from up above with staying out of those wrecks. It really takes all three and we had them all today.”

AUSSIES OVERSEAS

Remy Gardner in Moto2 at Motegi – Photo: Supplied

AUDI TT CUP

Central Coast teen, Drew Ridge, finished his Audi TT Cup campaign with a podium in the final race of the year.

Ridge finished fifth in the opening race. Backing that up with his third place in the second and final race of the weekend. The results saw Ridge finish the championship, runner up in the rookie title.

EUROPEAN F3

It was a tough final round of the European Formula 3 season for Joey Mawson at Hockenheim. The Sydneysider kicked off the weekend with a pair of 15th place results after qualifying in the same position early in the weekend.

The third race was a little better for Mawson. After qualifying eleventh, he moved up two places to finish ninth in the final race of the year.

Mawson finished the year in 13th in the championship, right behind F1 prodigies Mick Schumacher and Harrison Newey.

GLOBAL RALLYCROSS

Chris Atkinson ended the final GRC round in Los Angeles with a DNF after contact caused a tyre to fail on his Subaru.

The result saw Atkinson finish the championship in seventh place, with the title going to Scott Speed.

MOTO2

Remy Gardner took advantage of a wet Twin Ring Motegi to finished in 12th at the Moto2 round in Japan. After starting 19th, he progressed through the order during the reduced race.

“It’s good to be back in the points ahead of Phillip Island and with Xavi being on the podium it was a great day for the entire team. So well done to him. I’m looking forward to another good race in front of my home fans so see you all there.” said Gardner after the weekend.

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