Mikami and Mori Convert Control into Wins as Penalties Reshape Junior and MAX Lights at Gotemba

Micro MAX was controlled from the outset by Mikami Rui, who set the benchmark in Qualifying and carried that pace through both heats. He converted that advantage into a clean Final victory, with Kuniyasu Takahisa securing second and Nurito Dan completing the podium in third after a steady run across the sessions.

Mini MAX saw a tighter contest between Yokoi Aito, Onishi Tomoya, and Mori Minato across all sessions. Yokoi led Qualifying and Heat 1, while Mori responded in Heat 2 before taking control of the Final. Mori secured the win, with Yokoi second and Onishi third, the trio consistently rotating at the front throughout the weekend.

Junior MAX was defined by a post-race penalty that reshaped the result. Fujiwara Michio led the race after controlling both heats, but a five-second penalty dropped him to tenth in the final classification. Shibasaki Takeru inherited the victory, with Hayashi Tatsuki moving up to second and Niihashi Takeru completing the podium in third.

Senior MAX followed a more direct pattern. Sakano Taizan and Iida Hayato traded session honours, but Sakano converted his Qualifying pace into a Final win. Iida secured second, with Saito Sara completing the podium, restoring the order seen earlier in the weekend.

MAX Masters was led throughout by Kato Masanori, who topped Qualifying and the heat before sealing the Final win without interruption. Kiyama Yoichi finished second, with Yuge Megumi in third, completing a consistent top three across all sessions.

MAX Lights produced another penalty-influenced result. Morozumi Ai led both heats and crossed the line first in the Final, while Asaka Kijutsu, initially second, dropped to fourth after a five-second penalty. Kamekazi Yuki and Miyazaki Ryu were promoted to second and third respectively.

In MAX Lights KYOJO, Okamoto Yuki secured the Final win despite a three-second penalty, holding position in the classification. Ishizaki Momoka finished second, while Paige Raddatz completed the podium in third after a penalty dropped her from the race lead.

MAX Lights Junior saw Akaike Rinsho take the Final victory ahead of Takeda Kazuto, with Tamura Chion securing third despite a time penalty.

Across the round, Mikami Rui, Mori Minato, Sakano Taizan, and Kato Masanori converted control into wins, while Junior MAX and MAX Lights underlined how penalties continue to play a decisive role in shaping race outcomes as the series moves into Round 4.