Ueo (Revolver-sponsored AE86), who is currently third in the overall D1 Grand Prix point standings after five rounds of competition in Japan, had a score to settle with D1 current point leader Youichi Imamura piloting the A'PEXi FD3S in the semifinals. It was obvious the crowd was rooting for the underdog Ueo in the AE86, as the car was the only Corolla on the track and its horsepower figures topped in at a scant 200 at the wheels. As both drivers tore through the banks, the angle of the drifts that Ueo displayed were nothing but spectacular. When it looked like Imamura would pull away on the straightaway, Ueo made up for the loss through the turns. Unfortunately for Imamura the alternator pulley came loose, tearing up the belts and eventually ending his day. Back in the pits Imamura showed his competitive side by throwing his gloves in the car with disgust and swearing in Japanese. Within 5 minutes of the incident, Imamura was back to his joking ways, teasing his fellow drivers.
Unfinished business in the Final roundIt was 9:45 p.m. and the crowds still remained strong in the grandstands, shouting and yelling in admiration for their favorite drivers. In the final round, once again it became a classic battle of last year's first and second place drivers that D1 fans have become accustomed to. Nobuteru "N.O.B." (No One Better) Taniguchi driving the red HKS S15 and Katsuhiro Ueo piloting the AE86 Revolver Levin prepared their cars for the first championship run of D1 in the U.S. Recall in last year's 2002 D1 Grand Prix finals, Taniguchi lost the championship to Ueo during the final run, perhaps leaving Taniguchi with a bad taste in his mouth for his opponent. With the long-awaited finals came the anticipation factor. Orido and Keiichi began to pump up the crowd by yelling "USA! USA!" while the Japanese drivers waved American flags in unison. The crowd came to a roar as both drivers pulled out from the pits onto the oval track to battle side by side. With Taniguchi in front on the first round, both took off in a hail of smoke. With the initial glance it would appear the S15 was a shoe-in to win because of the higher horsepower and faster speeds on the straightaway, but as the first turn approached, surprisingly Ueo began catching up on the corners against Taniguchi. Who won? The crowds were in complete chaos as they yelled, "One more time! One more time!" Both drivers completed a parade lap.
The judges couldn't decide who had the winning advantage so it was unanimously decided that both drivers battle it out again. Second time around Taniguchi bumped Ueo from the rear, causing Ueo's Levin to careen into the makeshift plastic barriers. The damage was minor to the Revolver AE86 as the two Zip-ties holding the front bumper fell off causing the front end to dangle to the ground. The deafening roar of the crowds shouting, "One more time! One more time!" gave clue to the judges that a winner wasn't to be determined as Taniguchi went back to the pits to replace his worn out tires, while Ueo followed suit and pitted to fix his front bumper. Both drivers rolled back onto the track as Tanigiuchi did his infamous line-lock burnout to warm up his rear tires. Taniguchi was in the front this time as both drivers proceeded to run full blast down the track, no holds barred. This time Taniguchi wasn't going to underestimate Ueo and his AE86, and he flew down the full sweeper in his S15. Following in hot pursuit was Ueo, pushing his motor to the limit as you heard the 4ag motor screaming down the sweeper. Taniguchi was pulling away on the first small S turn, but when it came to the second big sweeper Taniguchi went wide, enabling Ueo to slide right in front of him, cutting him off with inches separating both cars' bumpers. Frustration seemed to overcome Taniguchi, as he didn't wait for the AE86 this time, tailgating Ueo on the banked turn. Like a scene out of a NASCAR race with one lap to go, Taniguchi tried to pass Ueo on the outside to drift around him as both cars ran neck and neck. As the cars straightened out, Ueo refused to let Taniguchi pass, causing the S15 to pull a dramatic slide into the wall, doing speeds in excess of 80 mph. Ueo completed the turn as the smoke and roar of the engines subsided. The night was over for Taniguchi and the HKS S15 as emergency crews and tow trucks came to the aid of the HKS S15. Taniguchi was safe but once again he had lost in a tight-lipped competition against Ueo and his AE86. Quickly jumping on the roof of his car, Ueo pumped his fists and celebrated his victory as he shed tears of joy and accomplishment in front of the congratulatory crowd. During the awards ceremony, there wasn't a dry eye in the group as Imamura, Ueno, Taniguchi and Ueo held back tears of jubilation and appreciation for the fans and fellow drivers.
Enjoyed this Post? Subscribe to our RSS Feed, or use your favorite social media to recommend us to friends and colleagues!