The Motegi KART Endurance Festival "K-TAI" successfully celebrated its 21st edition. Despite the COVID-19 pandemic, measures were taken to prevent infection and participants underwent pre-race health checks. 95 teams took part in the race. The morning started with a clear blue sky and temperatures reaching 35 degrees, with track temperatures close to 50 degrees, making it a true summer endurance event.

At the rolling start, the first group started almost on schedule at 9:30:27. 【#510 510club】, who secured the pole position, entered the first corner in the lead, followed by 【#44 Funny onza】, 【#33 team M's】, 【#900 ★★★METAMORPHOSE★★★】, 【#10 Team FB Racing】, and 【#2 Hayakoba Racing】. From the back, 【#20 U-KART CIRCUIT Challenge 4】, who showed an astonishing comeback from the 37th grid, rose to second place in the opening lap and took the lead in the second lap! In no time, they established a dominant position. 【#20 U-KART CIRCUIT Challenge 4】 was participating for a practical test using second-generation bioethanol fuel made from agricultural waste, and although it was not eligible for the prize, it showed unparalleled speed.

In second place, #510 510club was followed by a battle for third place between #314 C.S.I Racing #5 and #75 RF.AOYAMA Sake Powers. The fourth place group was led by #70 racer racer ACCEL+r, with over 10 cars in a large group.

There was movement right after the start, and it was [#86 Corolla Ibaraki Reon Kids 1]. What a pit stop on the opening lap! Despite falling to almost the back of the pack, they were able to climb up to 6th place by the 13th lap, and then pitted again on the 14th lap. They had a strategy to minimize time loss by refueling early.

Even after 2 hours have passed, [#20 U-KART CIRCUIT Challenge 4] is still leading the race. In second place is [#4 ddd], followed by [#38 TeamKRS-DAI&MKS] and [#205 MRF with r-kart] on the same lap.

And before 2pm, which was past the halfway point, a safety car was deployed due to an accident at the 90 degree corner. Many teams pitted in, but the timing made a difference in the outcome.

The safety car will return to the pit and restart when it enters for 2 laps from the 86th lap. While #20 U-KART CIRCUIT Challenge 4 was still in the lead, #510 510club took the lead as the race approached the remaining 1 hour mark. However, as #510 510club headed to the pit for refueling, #86 Corolla Ibaraki ReonKids 1 steadily caught up and took the lead. At this point, #888 Douraku no Kai & AMEROID-R@SILK, who was in 2nd place, wanted to catch up, but #86 Corolla Ibaraki ReonKids 1's pace was fast and was actually catching up from behind.

And with 8 minutes remaining, [#86 Corolla Ibaraki Reon Kids 1] finally laps down [#888 Douraku no Kai & AMEROID-R @ SILK]. Taking the lead, they complete 134 laps and reach the finish line. They have successfully won the award for the most laps completed in the overall race.

"I'm just so happy. It went according to plan, but there were also parts that didn't go as expected. In the end, (I) aimed for the goal by slowing down the pace after (dropping to second place) in the lap down," said driver Hitoshi Nakamura upon receiving the checkered flag.

"We didn't have any margin for error, but thanks to the team's consideration of fuel consumption in various situations, we were able to finish the race. I think we were able to win because all the players were fast. It was a victory achieved through the team's strength," said player Yu Oda.

The second place checker for the Excellent Lap Award completed 133 laps, with teams #888 "Doraku no Kai & AMEROID-R@SILK", #4 "ddd", and #510 "510club". Team #888 "Doraku no Kai & AMEROID-R@SILK" also won the most laps award in Class II. In addition, Class I was won by #125 "BLUE EYES K" for the third consecutive year. In the newly established Class E, #74 "ERK Challenge" showed early speed and won the most laps award in Class E using electric karts.

This year, #20 U-KART CIRCUIT Challenge 4 led most of the "K-TAI" races and finished at the same lap as the top. Although it did not remain in the results due to being an exhibition race, it showed the potential of bioethanol fuel with its speed.

And the MVP was awarded to [#88 Team Douraku no Kai]! A team that fully enjoyed "K-TAI" with the motto "Let's have fun with karts together", with no penalties, impressive kart looks and fashion, and perfect attendance at public practice. The number of registered drivers, pit crew, and helpers was also highly evaluated.

Last year, it was shortened to 5 hours, but this year, it was once again held for 7 hours, "K-TAI". The pit report is also back! One team representative came to the front of pit number 2, and Rika Mizuhara, who is also a Twin Ring Motegi Angel, interviewed while maintaining social distance. Kenji Kihata, the announcer, also livened up "K-TAI" with his exquisite exchanges.

From regular teams to first-time participants, from children to adults, everyone enjoyed "K-TAI" and made new memories.
Let's also enjoy "K-TAI" at Twin Ring Motegi in 2022!