The Road Sports Challenge race, part of the 58th Macau Grand Prix week, took place on November 19, consisting of 10 laps around the mountainous and seafront track. Due to the previous night's rain, track conditions were wet in the higher elevations, and nearly dry on the straights.

The #8 Knight Sports RX-8 lined up with slick tyres. Driver Tatsuya Tanigawa looked settled while waiting for the lights to go out. He started from 4th on the grid, due to a penalty handed down to one of the cars further up the grid.

Tanigawa made a clean getaway, improving to 3rd on the opening lap. He then maintained a strong pace, staying in touch with the 1st and 2nd-placed cars during the opening stages.
The #39 Evo led the race from the start, but red flags created a turning point in proceedings as the erstwhile leader had to slow - and the #31 GT-R caught up. The #31 had missed out on the standing start and lost a position to the #39 car, but improved again after the re-start following the red flags. Tanigawa in the RX-8 was passed by the #31 car, but stayed close as it took over the lead, and the RX-8 slotted into 2nd. He stayed in this position until the flag.

Local driver Kevin Tse in the team's RX-7 started from 12th on the grid. He improved to 7th on the opening lap, ran steadily and eventually finished in 4th.

Tanigawa: "The GT-R is faster on the straights, so it was difficult to race it there. However, I raced well and utilized all my chances. Overall, it was a good race."

Knight Sports' Managing Director Hidefumi Nakamura commented, "Honestly, I'm so disappointed in the outcome of this race. I will avenge the result next year and take the overall win!"

Special thanks for your support to our Macau Grand Prix challenge by the Knight Sports Vang Iek Team and MZRacing.

[Reference]Macau GP Practice Held In Rain For First Time in 30 Years
[Reference]Knight Sports RX-8 And RX-7 Take 5th And 12th In Semi-wet Conditions