2021.10.6
Race Report
Round 8 Motul Portuguese Round, the final round of the FIM Supersport 300 World Championship got underway on October 1st in Portimao. This round was blessed with good weather throughout the three days, and which was suitable for the final round of the World Supersport 300. This circuit has large ups and downs. How to take this course will be the key to this match.
The first session of this round was FP1 in the World Supersport 300 kicked off from 9:45. Okaya set the 4th fastest lap early in the session and continued to run well. As a result, he finished in 13th(1'57.065). In the afternoon FP2, the red flag came out due to another rider crashed twelve minutes after the start. He kept his pace and continued his time attack, and he set 12th(1'57.707). He and his team completed the setting of the machine to win the race in FP1 and FP2.
On the second day, Superpole started in perfect condition from 9:45 with the temperature 21 degC and the track temperature 25 degC. The session was red-flagged at three minutes after the start by the discretion of the Race Direction. After that, the session resumed, and he started the time attack while calmly watching the movements of other riders. He got the 6th grid that was his best of this season (1'56.176).
Afternoon on the same day, the 13 laps race started. It was a headwind with the temperature 23 degC and the track temperature 40 degC. He had a good start and took 4th position on the opening lap. He changed positions several times, but he pushed and took 2nd position on the third lap. However, his rivals were chasing him, and some machines tried to overtake him. He dropped back to 13th on the sixth lap, but he used the slipstream from behind his rivals and overtook little by little. On the final lap, he got 3rd from 7th on the home straight. He continued to push even in fierce close battles and crossed the finish line at the 2nd. After the race, he went down to 3rd as the official result because he lost his position due to the track limit penalty (1'56.617).
Race2 of the World Supersport 300 took place from 15:15 on the last Sunday of this season (the temperature 22 degC and the track temperature 37 degC). Race2 was also a fierce race and went while many riders replaced the position many times. During the race, it was difficult to be able to figure out the right timing for overtaking. Because the rider behind him overtakes using the slipstream even if he is in the front. Every time he takes first place, he was overtaken by his rivals.
On five laps to go, the fastest rider got out from a lead group. He started fighting in the second group. He did manage to move up to the 8th from 11th and with the final lap, he passed one rival and took 7th. Furthermore, one rider crashed in front of him and he finished 6th. After the race, he took to 4th as the official result because several rivals were penalized (1'57.005). As a result, his world standing is 5th.
・Comments from Yuta Okaya
This week, I could finish the setting of the machine with FP2 and got the best grid of this season in Superpole. I was in good condition. I rode well with 3rd place podium in Race1 and got 4th in Race2. I thought both were great results. Both races were tough for me, but I did my best.
The final race of the 2021 FIM Supersport 300 World Championship finished. I appreciate the team, the sponsors, my family, and everyone who supported me. Thank you everyone for all your help this year.
I will announce future activities once they are decided.
Thank you for your continued support.
Result / WorldSBK web site SUPERPOLE RACE1 RACE2
2021.9.29
Race Report
September 24, the 7th round of the FIM Supersport 300 World Championship kicked off Motul Spanish Round at the Circuit de Jerez-Angel Nieto. Okaya is good at this course. Last year, he took fourth place here and was just a little closer to the podium. He did image training to win and challenged this race.
Friday, the road wasn't wet, but the sky was cloudy. It was chilly this day and the temperature didn't change much in both morning FP1 and afternoon FP2. He and his rivals couldn't make a satisfactory record due to the low track temperature. He and his team suffered from tire management, but they steadily proceeded with the machine setting.
The second day was sunny. Superpole got underway for 20 minutes from 9:45 with the temperature 20 degC and the track temperature 22 degC. He entered the course at the start of the race. He ran prepare for the time attack battle from the middle of the session, and he broke his own record about 10 minutes after. As a result, he got the 8th (1'52.883).
Race1 was held in the afternoon of the same day with the temperature 25 degC and the track temperature 34 degC, it was hotter than in the morning. He started from the third row and took 7th position in the top group on the opening lap. It was a hard race with many crashes. He took the 3rd on six laps to go, and he got the top immediately after that. Afterward, he changed the position several times due to a fierce battle with his rivals. He came back to the top, and the remaining four laps began. But he dropped down to 8th due to his rivals pursued him vigorously. He didn't give up and pushed hard, but a multiple rider crashed behind him and this session was red-flagged. As a result, he finished in 8th position (1'53.640).
Sunday, Race2 was held under perfect conditions with a wide blue sky. The temperature was the highest of this weekend (the temperature 29 degC and the track temperature 47 degC). The race was a fierce battle from the beginning. Tire management was important due to the high track temperature. He moved up his position little by little with each lap, and he got the 2nd as the top of the second group on two laps to go. From that time, he and his rivals started a fierce battle for 2nd position. On the last lap, he overtook two rivals at the end of the final corner and finished 2nd. After the race, he lost the position due to a track limit penalty on the final lap but got the third podium (1'53.416).
・Comments from Yuta Okaya
I was able to proceed this race week ideally. The setting of the machine became better by each run. In Race1, I thought it was very good I was able to keep the top group from earlier than usual.
In Race2, I was able to race as I expected. I succeeded in running at the top of the second group. It was disappointing that I couldn't catch up with the top, but I was very happy to be able to run in the second group that I couldn't do before. I feel like I finally got out of the difficult time. In the next race, I will do my best to get the double win keeping the good condition this time.
Thank you for your continued support.
This weekend, Dean Berta Viñales passed away due to an incident on Race1. That was a very hard and sad happening. He was a very strong and great rider. I pass on my deepest condolences to Berta Viñales’ family, friends, team, and loved ones. May he rest in peace.
Result / WorldSBK web site SUPERPOLE RACE1 RACE2
2021.9.23
Race Report
The 6th round of the FIM Supersport 300 World Championship took place at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya in Spain on September 17-19. This championship will be held every weekend for three weeks from this race, and the weekend of three weeks later will be the last battle of the year. The battle from this race will be even more fierce.
The weather was fine on the first day of this race week. FP1 and FP2 were held under the sky with few clouds. The race here last year was at the mercy of the weather. Okaya tried to get used to different conditions than last year at FP1 and FP2. But his tire had some trouble in FP2, which affected the setting of the machine. He finished the first day with some uneasy for the Superpole
On the second day, the Superpole got underway with the temperature 20 degC and the track temperature 26 degC in dry condition. There were a lot of clouds on this day, but it was sunny and easy to spend. He entered the course at the start of the session, and he ran in the 56 seconds range from the beginning. On the fourth lap, he got his best lap(1'56.286) and set the same record the next lap. He was stable. But his rivals were also strong, and many of them ran in the 55 seconds range. As a result, he got the 21st grid.
Race1 started at 12:46. The temperature 25 degC and the track temperature 34 degC, and the weather was a cloudy sky with a little clear sky. He started from the seventh row and got 15th on the opening lap. He continued to move up the positions little by little and got 8th on the seven laps to go. A fierce battle has begun between him and his rivals on the top group. Afterward, rivals contacted and crashed each other. He dropped down the order to 16th in the closed battle. However, he pushed hard without giving up and got the top on the two laps to go. On the final lap, he lost some positions because his rivals used the slipstream to overtake him on the main straight. He struggled to move up, but unfortunately, he finished in 8th(1'56.395).
On the final day, Race2 started from 13:46 with the temperature 24 degC and the track temperature 41 degC under the clear sunny sky. His grid was 20th because one of his rivals missed due to an injury at Race1. He got a good start and continued to move up from the opening lap. On the fourth lap, he got the 6th and chased the top group from the head of the second group. In the middle race, he caught up to the top group and pushed further. As a result, he got the top on the three laps to go. But then, he changed his position many times and dropped down the order to 9th in an intense battle on the two laps to go. Still, he pushed without giving up and got the 3rd position on the final lap. However, his rival contacted his machine from behind at the turn 10. He didn't crash, but he lost a few positions and crossed the finish line in 6th position. After the race, he went up to 5th as the official result because his rival lost his position due to the track limit penalty.
・Comments from Yuta Okaya
FP2 on the first day, we had tire trouble and machine settings didn't progress. For that reason, I wasn't perfect for the Superpole. But I thought my lap of Superpole was good. On Race1 and Race2, I had to move up. But I was confident in the race and was able to catch up with the top. In particular I thought Race2 was the best race ever. I had a chance to win both Race1 and Race2. Unfortunately, I couldn't win due to various factors. Of course,I will not give up and aim to win the next race.
Thank you for your continued support.
Result / WorldSBK web site SUPERPOLE RACE1 RACE2
2021.9.9
Race Report
September 3-5, The 5th round of the FIM Supersport 300 World Championship was held in the Magny-Cours circuit in France. The race of this class here last year was a stormy one by rain. But Okaya ran through that race and gained confidence. This time he did his best with that confidence.
FP1 of the World Supersport 300 class started at 9:45 on Friday morning. It wasn't raining and was a cloudy sky with a clear sky, but this session was held in rain condition due to the rain until the early morning. It was cold with the temperature 18 degC and the track temperature 21 degC. He kept running without dangerously and took 16th(2'05.804). In the afternoon FP2, the road surface was dry. It was a hot session unlike the morning with the temperature 25 degC and the track temperature 37 degC. He and his team didn't have the data in dry conditions, so they proceeded with the session while checking the machine settings. But they couldn't decide that and he finished the FP2 with 20th(1'55.299).
Saturday, Superpole started from 9:45 under the cloudy sky(the temperature 19 degC and the track temperature 23 degC, in dry condition). He couldn't decide his settings yet but get his fastest lap at 10 minutes from the start. As a result, he secured 10th place on the grid for the race(1'53.854).
On the same day, Race1 started at 12:46. It was sunny and hot(the temperature 26 degC and the track temperature 36 degC). He had a good start from the 4th row and took 7th on the first lap. He joined the top group. In the middle of the race, he had fought a splendid overtaking battle to move up to 3th. After a fierce battle with his rivals for third place, he dropped down to 6th. On four laps to go, his two rivals in front of him crashed due to contact and he got the 4th. Afterward, he pushed hard to get the podium. But on three laps to go, he crashed on the entry of S-curve and unfortunately, he retired.
On Sunday, Race2 was the final race of this race week and started at 15:16(the temperature 28 degC and the track temperature 43 degC). He reviewed the machine setting from his experience in Race1. After the start of the race, he dropped down to 12th. But he gradually moved up his position, and he took 5th on the eighth lap. Since then, he moved up a few positions, and he got the 1st on the final lap in an intense battle with his rivals. But then he and his rivals followed closely battle for the 1st position, as a result, he crossed the finish line in 5th position(1'53.717).
・Comments from Yuta Okaya
This time, we entered race week without having any data of dry condition. It was such a difficult situation, but I thought that I was able to demonstrate my ability 100%. The reason we lost in Race 1 was that I run the race without good machine settings. We have to rethink how to proceed with the race. In Race 2, we could do everything we could in advance, but I didn't have enough ability even though I was going for the win. Maybe I wasn't lucky enough. I could not finish the race several times so far, so it was very good that I was able to finish this race. However, I was very frustrated that I couldn't win, so I'm going to win the next race.
Thank you for your continued support.
Result / WorldSBK web site SUPERPOLE RACE1 RACE2
2021.8.11
Race Report
The FIM Supersport 300 World Championship got its first taste of the Autodrom Most at the Tissot Czech Round on August 6-8. Okaya was the first to run on this circuit. He has a strong tendency to be on the circuit for the first time, so he challenged the race with confidence.
On the first day, FP1 started under the sky covered with thick clouds at 12:25. It was chilly with the temperature 22degC in dry conditions. He tries to adapt to the circuit he had run for the first time, and he entered the course at the same time as the session started. He rode smoothly and significantly educed his lap time towards the end of the session. As a result, he got the 15th(1'49.345)
FP2 on the same day afternoon, it was held in wet conditions, although the rain had stopped. In the first wet condition on this circuit for him, so he ran hard from the beginning. Every lap, he improved his lap time in this session and finished in the 31th(1'59.763).
On the second day, Superpole of the World Supersport300 class started at 9:45 AM in dry condition of mostly sunny. (the temperature was 20 degC and the track temperature 28 degC). At this time, He was unable to determine the machine settings because he wasn't used to this circuit yet. He was unable to set up his machines because he didn't have enough data for this course. Although he got his best time on the eighth lap, he was not able to improve the time anymore, and as a result, he entered the race in 16th place (1'48.263).
Race 1 started at 12:46 pm on Saturday, the same day, under a clear sky with a little cloud and the temperature of 26 degC and the track temperature 40 degC. He started from the 6th row and he got a good start. Immediately after the start of the race, multiple rider crash occurred in the first corner and became a stormy race. Meanwhile, I moved up to 10th and ran smoothly in the situation where other riders crashed. Coming to the middle of the race, the one rider of the top group got ahead, and the second group was formed by 11 riders. He pushed hard in the second group but the rivals were tough. He moved up and down many times. As a result, he took the chequers in the 11th(1'47.481) place.
Sunday on the final day of this race, Race2 started as 14 laps race at 13:46. There were many clouds but it was sunny with the temperature 24 degC and the track temperature 40 degC. Based on his experience with Race 1, Okaya drastically changed the machine settings during the morning warm-up, and he had a good feeling.
Just after a race start, multiple riders crashed in front of him. He calmly avoided it, but he lost a few positions. However, he showed his original strength and he moved up to 17th on the third lap, he got the fastest lap on the fourth lap. After that, he moved up to 10th on the tenth lap and to 4th on the seventh lap. On the last lap, he used a slipstream to enter the first corner in 3rd place. He was convinced of the podium, but his machine and the machine of the 4th rider contacted. Unfortunately, he crashed and retired.
・Comments from Yuta Okaya
The result of Race 1 was not good, but it was good to be able to improve after that. On Race2, this circuit was my first time to ran, but I'm really glad that I was able to run at a great pace. But I was disappointed that I couldn't get any results. Future races will take place on the circuits I know. There are a lot of my favorite circuits, so I will do my best to win.
Thank you for your continued support.
Result / WorldSBK web site SUPERPOLE RACE1 RACE2
2021.6.17
Race Report
The Pirelli Made in Italy Emilia-Romagna Round got underway on June 11 at Misano World Circuit "Marco Simoncelli" in Italy as the third round of the 2021 Motul FIM Superbike World Championship race. This was the second round of the 2021 World Supersport300 World Championship. This circuit is that Okaya has tested in the past. So that, he challenged this race with confidence to win.
This round was held in dry conditions with good weather throughout the round. On the first day, Okaya rode smoothly, he got the 11th(1'51.023) in FP1 and got the 4th in FP2, but his best time was canceled in FP2 because he rode off-tracks a little. As a result, he got the 18th(1'51.023) in FP2. He was unable to get in a completely clean lap, but he got the stable times and finished the preparations for the Super pole.
On the second day, Superpole opened at 9:50 AM with a pleasant weather of 26 degC and 35 degC on the road. Okaya road well and got the 7th position in the middle of the session, and finished the 13th(1'50.048). Although his position was not satisfactory as the other rider’s times were faster than Okaya expected, he renewed his best time during the race week and finished his preparations for Race 1 with a positive feeling.
Race1 was started at 12:46 PM. A perfect condition with the temperature 28 degC and the track temperature 46 degC, the race had 15 laps race and 43 riders competed. Okaya got a good start and cleared the first laps on the 10th position. After that, he gradually moved up his position behind the fastest group that followed closely battling it out for the top position. On the fourth lap, the few riders of the fastest group were late from the fastest group and he didn't miss that and took the 5th position. After that, he became the top on the 7th lap and he led the race. But on 2laps to go, Okaya was overtaken by the other riders during the battle against his rivals and he lost his positions to 7th. But he pushed without giving up, on the last lap, he got the 4th position and he pushed more. He and his rivals continued to battle hard on the second group, finaly, he won the battle and graved 4th(1'50.253).
On the final day, Race2 started under a clear sky with the temperature 33 degC and the track temperature 50 degC. The race had 15 laps race same as Race1. This race week got hotter day by day, Race2 was the hottest of this race week. Because of that, other riders had multiple crashes on the first lap. After that, the few other riders crashed by the high side, this race was a stormy race. Okaya took a good start but he couldn't climb the position at the beginning of the race and struggled. He didn't give up and got 14th on the first lap, 10th on the fifth lap, 5th on the eighth lap, climb some positions until the middle of the race. But on the 5 laps to go, he lost his positions to 10th. But he didn't give up and pushed to chase the top. As a result, on the three laps to go, he got the top. Since then, he and his rivals followed closely battling it out for the top position. On the final Lap, he kept the top position while suppressing rivals but his machine slid hard on the fourteen corner. Nevertheless,
he calms down and regained his posture. However, the next moment his rivals contacted his machine and he crashed. Unfortunately, he was knocked down by the other rider's machine further. He wasn't able to get up and had no choice to go out of the race.
■Comments from Yuta Okaya
I had a chance to win both Race1 and Race2. But I couldn't organize my strategy well and missed the race that I could win. I was able to show my strength to others, However, I was disappointed that I couldn't lead to the good results. I did my best and I had no regrets so that I thought that the results of Race2 could not be helped.
I feel very sorry that I couldn't give back to the sponsors and supporters. I will be sure to recover my body by the next race in the Assen, and I will challenge the race in perfect condition!
Thank you for your continued support.
Result / WorldSBK web site SUPERPOLE RACE1 RACE2
2021.5.27
Race Report
The opening round of the 2021 World Supersport300 was held at the Motorland Aragon circuit in Spain. It started about 3 months later than usual because it was due to the Covid-19 pandemic. Okaya entered Europe in April and joined the team in a pre-test atMisano, Italy. And he had been preparing for the opening round.
The global pandemic still ongoing, he is grateful to be able to race even in this situation and is thoroughlytaking countermeasure against the coronavirus. He aims to be the series championof this season.
This year, the color of the machine of the team(MTM Kawasaki MOTOPORT ) changed, It became the color that green and white stood out. This change gave him to make a fresh start for opening round.The two free practices on the first day were held in dry conditions with good weather.Okaya finished 11th (2'08.215) in free practice1, and he grabbed1st(2'08.285)in free practice2.
He could prepare to be in good condition for Superpole. It can be said that he has steadily evolved from last year's painful experience.
On the second day, Superpole started at 9:45 AMin the chilly and dry conditionswith the temperature 14 degrees and the track temperature 22 degrees.Okaya entered the course with his teammate. He got the fastest time in the middle of the session and his condition was good, but he had difficulty getting a good position in the group. As a result, he finished in 11th(2'07.169).He started the race1 in the fourth row.
Race1 started at 12:46 on the same day and was a 12 lapsrace. The temperature 19 degrees and the track temperature 33 degrees in dry conditions, there were some cloudsbut it was sunny. Okaya got a good start and moved up the position little by little from the back of the top group. The race was a stormy race affected by the other riderscrashing, but he went up smoothly and got the 6th, howeveron the 4thlap his machine had gear trouble.
But he was able to deal with the problem instantly from past experience, and He was off course for a moment because he avoids contact with other machines by his machine slowed down. Soon afterward, he back on the course in11th. This event was a momentary event.
After that, he entered the top group 2 laps later. 4 laps to go, he got the first. But 3 laps to go, he lost 2 positions and struggled to get the first. He got the first again soon, but unfortunately, the red flagged due to the crash of two othermachines just behind him. When he went to the Parc-Fermes, he was guided to the center of the podium.Butas a result of deliberations, he finished 3rd(2'06.823) because the ranking at the time of passing Secter1 was reflected.
On the last day of the week, Race2 started at 3:16 pm as the final race of the WSBK. Thetemperature 13 degrees and the track temperature 20 degrees, It was a dry condition in a cloudy sky.
Okaya made a good start and moved up little by little. This class has a lot of machines and the machines are close to each other during the race. It is very important to keep a space, because in this class, the number of machineis large and the distance to othersis very close. He and his rivals were fighting hard at close Race2 more than in Race1, and the other riders had crashed one after another. He was hit with other riders many times. But he avoided a crash and steadily moved up the position. 4 laps to go, he got the 3rd and was in a position to take the top.
After that, the last lap was greeted while changing the position many time, he got the first inthe back straight. However, he was passed by three riders in the final straight and finished the race in 4th (2'07.089).
■Comments from Yuta Okaya
In Superpole, I could get the fastest time and was in good condition. But I had difficulty getting a good position in the group, wasn't able to get more the position 11th.
In Race1, I got a good start and move up the position. On the 4th lap, my machine had gear trouble and I was off the course for a moment to avoid hitting with the other riders. Although there was a slight gap with the top group, I able to return to the course in 11th. From there, my pace was good and I could enter the top group 2 laps later. With the same momentum, I got the first. But the red flagged on 3 laps to go and I finished3rd. I was disappointed with this result because I thought I could win.
The judgmentafter the race was confusing, I wasn't convinced. However, I thought I had a good race.
In Rase2, I moved up the position gradually just like Race1. During the race, I was hit with other riders many times. But I managed to keepmy own space. It was a difficult race to get to the top, but contrary to my expectation, I became the top. After that, I was overtaken by 3 riders and finished4th. At the last moment, it was an unexpected development and did not go as intended. It was very difficultto keep my position and finishthe race.
The next race will be in Misano that we had tested, it's an experienced and confident course for me. Iwill do my best.
Thank you for your continued support.
Result / WorldSBK web site SUPERPOLE RACE1 RACE2
2021.1.15
RELEASE
We are pleased to announce that Yuta Okaya will continue to challenge the FIM Superbike World Championship in 2021. The team will continue to be part of the MTM Kawasaki MOTOPORT and participate in the World Supersport 300 class. Last year, he became the First Japanese pole sitter in Portimao and grabbed the victory in Catalonia. This year, we will do my best to grab the series championship as last year. Recently, there are many dark stories due to the coronavirus pandemic all over the world , so we will do my best to cheer you up.
・Comment
I’m happy to stay with @mtm_kawasaki in the WorldSSP300 for the 2021 season. I have a good feeling with the team and we learned a lot last year. We had some good results in 2020, but we want more. My target is to take the championship. This is my only goal for this season. I’m so looking forward to start racing again!
■Yuta Okaya’s 2020 Season
・Race : FIM SUPERBIKE WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP
・Class : World Supersport 300
・Team : MTM Kawasaki MOTOPORT
・Machine : Kawasaki Ninja 400
:@MTMKawasaki
:@mtm_kawasaki_motoport
End of Article
