Children's Day, May 5th (Sunday) featured Round 2 of the Roadster Party Race II, held at Tsukuba Circuit with over 10,000 spectators - including lots of children, enjoying the festive atmosphere of the Party Race II.

Round 2 had a total of 38 entries, with 19 cars from the NC2 Series, NC Clubman and NC 1 Clubman classes lining up for Race 1. Three-year successive NC2-class champion Daisaku Kobayashi set a track record in qualifying before taking a lights-to-flag victory. Showing speed uncharacteristic of a non series-participating driver, Hiroshi Tsuboi took a debut win in the NC2 Clubman class. Meanwhile, in a car decorated with the #1, Masaya Ono took his first NC1 Clubman victory.

Continuing to the second race, nineteen machines from the NC1 Series and NB Series classes took part. In NC1, Round 1 winner Daisuke Tahara made it two wins on the trot with victory. Regrettably, Kazusuke Irie crossed the line in 2nd place. Moreover, after finishing third in the race, a special prize for participating for ten years was presented to Shoji Kotani. In the NB Series, Takahiro Ashida made a good start, moving up from 5th to run 2nd within the first lap before moving ahead of top qualifier Iwao Yamazaki on lap 2, and going on to take a splendid victory earned through his passing prowess.

In addition, Director-General of Design at Mazda Corp., Mr. Ikuo Maeda took part in the on-track action as a guest driver. Although his role as a car designer is well known, his name also adorns the members' list of the Road Transport Department within his company. In the media-contested Roadster 4-Hour Race, held every autumn, the primary attacker also has to demonstrate ability as the ace of the Mazda team. In the interval between qualifying and the race, commitments for the on-stage Talk Show meant a very tight schedule, before the race was run safely the entire distance.

The next Party Race II will be held on June 30th when Round 3 of the series makes its first-ever regular season visit to Okayama International Circuit.

note:
Roadster Party Race II official site: http://partyrace.nr-a.com/