Liam Sceats returns to Japan and a familiar circuit this weekend, taking to Fuji Speedway in the Formula Regional Japanese Championship for the penultimate round of the 2023 season. The class will be racing in support of the World Endurance Championship’s 6 Hours of Fuji.
Sceats currently sits second in the championship standings but has form on his side, having won the final race last round at Mobility Resort Motegi. Sota Ogawa leads the championship, holding a 47-point advantage over the Kiwi.
“I have previously raced at Fuji for the first round of the championship,” said Sceats. “It feels good to head into a race weekend for the first time where I have some previous knowledge and experience with the track and where, as a team, we have made progress with the car balance.
“At Fuji Speedway, this is crucial because it is similar to Hampton Downs for me, where the Japanese drivers have done a lot of mileage and have good track knowledge, so are all quick, which I found out quickly at the first round.
“Unfortunately, we missed the pre-weekend test, so will have plenty of work to do in the short space of two practice sessions on Friday in order to be competitive on Saturday.”
Sceats finished fourth in the opening race of the season at Fuji, backing that up with fifth in Race 3. He was an unlucky DNF in Race 2.
Sceats won’t be the only Kiwi in action at the event, with Earl Bamber and Brendon Hartley returning to their respective World Endurance Championship campaigns. Racing on the support bill of such an event is a bonus for the Auckland teenager, who says he is looking forward to taking in the action.
“I am really looking forward to being the support category to the World Endurance Championship and being able to watch the 6-hour on Sunday,” he says.
Following two practice sessions on Friday, qualifying begins at 12.00 p.m. (NZ Time) on Saturday, with Race 1 at 3.50 p.m. and Race 2 at 7.30 p.m. Both races will be live-streamed on the Formula Regional Japanese Championship YouTube page.
