Mike Bonanni, Dai Yoshihara win MPTCC Round 3 at Cal Speedway!

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Mike Bonanni, Dai Yoshihara win MPTCC Round 3 at Cal Speedway!
A surprise was a two lap full course yellow behind the pace car to inspect the track for oil after Scott Vanderheide’s car had transmission issues.  This rebunched the field and allowed for some more fan pleasing action.
Mike Bonanni, Dai Yoshihara win MPTCC Round 3 at Cal Speedway!
Mike Kojima made a good tactical restart blocking Brian Smith’s Acura behind Ryan Lapp’s slower Ford Focus.  This allowed Mike to surprise his teammate Dai Yoshihara as he closed to within striking distance.  He was also able to open a 3 second gap on Smith and Richard Ho.  Mike had charged from dead last to second place!
Mike Bonanni, Dai Yoshihara win MPTCC Round 3 at Cal Speedway!
Mike Bonanni also made good tactical use of the yellow, conserving fuel and cooling his overheated oil.  At the drop of the green, he poured on the coals and grabbed a commanding lead he would hold to the finish.
Mike Bonanni, Dai Yoshihara win MPTCC Round 3 at Cal Speedway!
Brian Smtih settled into third place which he held to the end.  The TSX was having brake fade issues.  At the same time Mike Kojima’s Dog II’s crash damage related issues were getting worse.  Vibrations, brake fade and severe understeer from the first lap crash worsened causing Mike to slow as the TSX also slowed.  Mike’s team told Mike not to pit and to hold on as best as he could to maintain second.
Mike Bonanni, Dai Yoshihara win MPTCC Round 3 at Cal Speedway!
Richard Ho settled into 4th and maintained his pace.  None of the other TU cars were even close.
Mike Bonanni, Dai Yoshihara win MPTCC Round 3 at Cal Speedway!
Steve Rockwood held onto the title of the fastest of the low-power guys to finish a distant 5th.
Mike Bonanni, Dai Yoshihara win MPTCC Round 3 at Cal Speedway!
Kojima felt that his car would not be safe after any more laps and was glad to see the end of the race.

 

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