On Saturday, September 27th and Sunday, September 28th, the university's Automobile Club came in third place at Formula Gymkhana, a one-make gymkhana * competition for students (from universities, junior colleges, and vocational schools) held at Oku-Ibuki Motor Park (Maibara City, Shiga Prefecture), earning them the right to compete in the national competition.
The competition was held in a team format, with all teams driving the same vehicle around the course and competing for ranking based on the combined time of three drivers from each university. While the University's Automobile Club had never competed in this event before, they passed a document screening and a second selection process using a driving simulator, making this their first time competing in this competition. Each team member demonstrated their driving skills and achieved an impressive third place finish.
The University's athletes
Yoshiki Tanaka（Faculty of Science and Engineering Department of Mechanical Engineering 3rd year / Munakata High School)
Asahikazu Sumida（Faculty of International Studies of Culture Department of International Studies of Culture 3rd year/Kumage Minami High School)
Shugo Kuroki（Faculty of Commerce 2nd year of Business Administration and Distribution / Seisa International High School)
The team's captain, Sumida (pictured above, center), expressed his enthusiasm, saying, "Even though this was the first time for all of our players to compete, I feel that the success we achieved was due to the fact that we encouraged each other and turned the pressure into strength. Of course, our goal for the national tournament is to win! We will once again re-energize as a team and practice hard, and will be fully prepared to take on the challenge."
The team will compete in the national finals to be held at Fuji Speedway in Shizuoka Prefecture on Saturday, November 1st and Sunday, November 2nd.
Thank you for your support!
*A type of motorsport. A time trial competition in which a course is set up by lining up pylons (triangular markers) in a paved area, and participants drive their cars along the course, competing for the fastest time from start to finish. In a "one-make" race, competitors drive cars of the same conditions (model and specifications) and compete with each other for driving skills.
[Student Department]
