The season opener of the DNC – DUNLOP NEXT CUP EXGEL Series at Twin Ring Motegi took place on 12th May 2019.
Rikuto Kobayashi, who took win in the opening round of the Japanese Karting Championship FS-125, recorded fastest lap in Time Trial.
The 13 year old driver from Yamagata Prefecture also finished first in Pre Final and took pole position for Final.
The only female driver in the series Aimi Saito took 2nd in Time Trial.
Yuto Nomura, who won the series title of the DNC EXGEL Series last year and competes in the Japanese Karting Championship this year with the sponsorship of EXGEL Motorsport, took 3rd in Time Trial and moved up to 2nd in Pre Final, aiming to win in Final.
Shunsuke Minagi, the former EXGEL DNC Series champion in 2017 and participates in the Japanese Karting Championship OK category again this year, didn’t have enough speed in Time Trial and only to get 5th position, but finished Pre Final in 3rd position.

Rikuto Kobayashi made a good start in Final, but Shunsuke Minagi overtook him in the beginning laps and Rikuto gradually dropped into the middle group.
Yuto Nomura kept 2nd really close to the leader.
The battle between Yuto and Shunsuke continued for a few laps, and finally Yuto took lead and began to make margin ahead of Shunsuke.
Shunsuke had to defend his 2nd position against Ryota Horachi who was 8th in Time Trial and 5th in Pre Final.
Ryota had much better pace and Shunsuke couldn’t keep his position any longer.
Yuto Nomura managed his pace to the end and took win, followed by Ryota Hotachi who got his first 2nd podium in DNC and Shunsuke Minagi took 3rd position struggling with the pace.

“MC-FORTUNE Award” went to Ryota Hotachi who showed remarkable speed in Final.
See you soon at the next round of the DNC at Kobe!