The Motegi KART Endurance Festival, which started in 2000 and is now in its 17th year, was held on the first weekend of August this year. Under cloudy skies, the briefing was held early in the morning, and the grid walk, start procession, and schedule proceeded as planned. 117 karts were divided into two groups and started at 9:30 am for a 7-hour race towards the finish line.

The #9 ddd, who secured the pole position in the first group, took the hole shot, followed by the #20 Super Chips Dream in second place. It seemed that these two teams, well-known for their performance in "K-TAI", would continue to lead the race. Following behind were the #5 MIC KARTING, #37 TeamKRS-DAI&MKS, and #10 Team FB Racing. On the opening lap, the #5 MIC KARTING returned to the top, but the #35 Power Cluster K3 Racing, starting from 23rd on the grid, made a move on the inside. The #43 BOO FOO SETSU was in third place, followed by #37 TeamKRS-DAI&MKS, #20 Super Chips Dream, and #515 e-connection515. The #9 ddd was running a bit further back, completing laps.

After that, the top position changed rapidly during the pit-in timing, and at the 2-hour mark, [#689 DRP (B-side)] was in the lead with 39 laps. Following closely behind were [#17 KEIHIN MARIO RT], [#823 A1-RACING RED], and [#52 BLACK OUT RACING] all on the same lap.

However, it was #30 Corolla Ibaraki~REON KIDS~2 that showed the speed. Consistently lapping in the high 2 minutes and 40 seconds range. This was followed by the talented #9 ddd and #17 KEIHIN MARIO RT.

After 4 hours, [#9 ddd] was in the lead with 76 laps. Following closely behind were [#43 BOO FOO SETSU], [#30 Corolla Ibaraki~REON KIDS~2], [#123 College CRG], [#88 Team Douraku no Kai@SILK], and [#823 A1-RACING RED], all on the same lap.

After that, at the point where the #30 Corolla Ibaraki ~REON KIDS~2 showed overwhelming speed, they were in the lead with 1 hour remaining, but they pitted at the 40 minute mark. In their place, the #689 DRP (B-side) and #823 A1-RACING RED teams took the lead, but when both teams pitted, the #86 Corolla Ibaraki ~REON KIDS~1 rose to the top. From behind, their teammate from the #30 Corolla Ibaraki ~REON KIDS~2 caught up at a pace 3 to 5 seconds faster per lap, but there was still a difference of about 1 minute. In the end, that difference was 36.676 seconds, but the #86 Corolla Ibaraki ~REON KIDS~1 was the first to complete 135 laps and receive the checkered flag. Following them, the #30 Corolla Ibaraki ~REON KIDS~2 crossed the finish line, resulting in a 1-2 finish for Corolla Ibaraki ~REON KIDS~.
"We were able to win the award for most laps completed thanks to our great fuel efficiency and speed. I want to thank the team for providing us with an amazing car. The #30 was also fast, but I never felt like I was going to lose to my teammate," said Shunsuke Hanawa, driver for the #86 Corolla Ibaraki ~REON KIDS~1.

"Last year, I couldn't win the most laps award, so I'm happy. #30 had a big disadvantage in pit stay time, but showed the speed to turn it around. The power of children is truly amazing," said Omiya Tate, representative of Corolla Ibaraki ~ REON KIDS.

In the back, two teams, #88 Team Douraku no Kai @ SILK and #689 DRP (B-side), received the checkered flag almost simultaneously and recorded 135 laps. In 2017, the "K-TAI" award for most laps completed went to four teams.

This year, there were no safety car interventions, and the four teams with the most laps recorded 135 laps. The top positions were dominated by Class II, with the top position in Class I being 5th overall, and #125 BLUE EYES K, which recorded 131 laps, received the award for most laps completed.

The MVP was awarded to [#701 YMC.ADVANRacing].

"K-TAI" was participated by many teams in 2017 as well. There were some cases where penalties were given for contact or overtaking in yellow flag zones, but the fact that the safety car did not enter even once is evidence that manners have improved. Let's meet again with a smile at next year's "K-TAI"!