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FIM Individual World Trials Championship Round 4: Grand Prix of .Japan Jlams ilil Jlapalil ruJUiJtM~ UM?~Ui Ui THt .aUT STORY AND PHOTOS BY MARIO CANDELLONE MOTEGI, JAPAN, MAY 31-JQNE 1 eavy rain dropped during the two-day Grand Prix of Japan in Motegi, with Graham Jarvis and Takahisa Fujinami each winning on one day and finishing second on the other day. Both gained 37 points in the standings, but the Grand Prix is won by the rider who made the best performance on Sunday, and that was Jarvis' day to finish atop the board. The Brit confirmed his magic moment after also winning a day in Germany, and he put in a great performance at the home of one of the more celebrated challengers for the World title, Japanese Fujinami. Fujinami may have been the real winner, though. After yielding by just one point on day two and dominating the first day, he was able eliminate Dougie Lampkin's championship lead. And, though they are tied, Fujinami can count three wins against Lampkin's single win. This has not happened since 1996, when Marc Colomer won the title. Lampkin, in his six consecutive titles won, has not since yielded the top position in the standings! On another note, as a conse- H 54 JUNE 18, 2003' cue I e RtJ\CHtS STJtX»UiGS1 (Right) Although he failed to cany his home country, Japanese rider Takahisa Funjinami was able to catch reigning World Champion Dougie Lampkin in the series points race. The two are now tied, with 131 points. quence of the explosive matter between Spanish Federation and striking riders, the decision was made by the factory Gas Gas team and factory Beta team not to contest this round. Adam Raga, Albert Cabestany, Colomer, Josep Manzano and the rest of the outcasts heard about this competition through the media! DAY ONE Fortunately the forecast typhoon did not come, but a fastidious rain dropped all day on day one, complicating matters for the riders. Section one was artificial near the start, with three high jumps (motocross-style) and a few rocks just to remind the spectators that they were watching a trials event and not motocross. All the top riders cleaned it easily. The real competition started from section two, the first of three hazards featured on a little hill close to the main road, with many rocks and steep climbs. Lampkin had to face it first, and he lost one mark in the final n _ vv s BRIEFLY••• This was the fourth consecutive year for Motegi. the famous Honda·owned road circuit situated two hours from Tokyo. Spectators did not come in large number as in the previous editions, but 6000 people were present on Saturday and about 10,000 on Sunday. The news about the absence of Gas Gas and Beta official teams may have dampened interest. but also the possibility of a typhoon probably kept many people at home. Tickets were sold at 4000 yen for each day. With GP heid at the Motegi circuit. the facilities for spectators, media, etc, were more accommodating than you will find at a European round. in the press office it was possible to follow the whole competition by watching it on television through eight screens available in the two rooms. Each team had a garage to prepare its bikes, change clothes, etc. Other garages became big shops. Many buses brought the public to the three groups of sections. Besides the absence of the factory riders of Gas Gas and Beta, other European pilots could not afford to attend this distant round. Only 10 riders out of the 22 at Motegi were already classified in the overall standings. The Junior class featured a new winner, British rider Shaun Morris. Poland's TBdeusz Blazusiak and France's Jerome Bethune finished second and third respectively. Morris is now leading the Junior Championship.