Motegi Qualifiers Epilogue Defined By Stellar Drives From Boan, Williams and Gibbens

Motegi, 13 July – Under bright “Color Rise Harmony” fronts—honoring Hololive’s 6th Fes concert outfits—sixty-one Oreca 07 prototypes plus five more Ligiers tackled the Epilogue 5 Hours at Twin Ring Motegi. Serving as Round 3 of the World Series Qualifiers and Round 5 of both the Japan and International Series, this endurance spectacle marked the end of the World & Japan qualifying phases and set the grid for next weekend’s Tsuyo/Zako battles, while International entrants press on toward a full‑season crown.

In Split A, despite the race being cut short halfway due to high attrition and heavy rain, Lexi Boan delivered a rain masterclass in Shirogane Noel’s #08 Oreca, giving Boan, her oshi and the Shirogane Knights back-to-back wins in the HoloType Japan season, fending off Mohd Shazren Redza in Koseki Bijou’s #14 car by 19 seconds. Boan’s consecutive split victories cements her status as a Tsuyo contender, while Airi Nakamura (#81 Akai Haato) kept her car on the track to secure third. Standout Nichi Michan (#52 Mococo Abyssgard) and veteran Mohd Shaqif Redza (#77 Momosuzu Nene) completed the top five in what was a wet and attritional race, the only drivers to make the shortened finish. 6th on back were those who did not finish the race, either through aquaplaning through the braking zone, going off track, or involved in collisions, including Hanami Kiriko who spun out of the Tsuyo in both World and Japan in what was her third straight DNF since debuting for Himemori Luna at SUGO in HoloType Japan.

Split B honors went to Tyler Williams, whose calculated driving over lapped cars for Amane Kanata’s #57 Oreca saw him slip through with a late‑race charge to win by 10 seconds over Evelyn Kuromi (#53 E. R. Bloodflame). ID‑class veteran Aziz Muazif (#62 Ayunda Risu) held off Hiyuta Asano (#44 Gigi Murin) for third, while Danilo Goyena (#11 Usada Pekora) and Shawn Goh (#66 Ichijou Ririka) rounded out the top six in a dry race, where hours ago, Split A raced a soggy track.

In Split C, Callum Gibbens piloted Roboco’s #64 Oreca to a commanding victory, managing traffic and pit‑stop timing to finish 10 seconds clear of Sammy Ake (#22 Shirakami Fubuki). Jake Goodwin (#30 Ookami Mio) followed in third, with Takeda Adachi (#17 Ninomae Ina’nis) and Ho Phu‑My (#36 Tokino Sora) sealing their Tsuyo berths after impressive recovery drives.

With the conclusion of Motegi’s Epilogue 5 Hours, the World Series qualifying phase wraps up and the grids split into Tsuyo (championship) and Zako (consolation) fields. In Split A, the top ten drivers earned Tsuyo spots: Mohd Shazren Redza (Koseki Bijou), Lexi Boan (Shirogane Noel), Airi Nakamura (Akai Haato), Mohamed Shaqif Redza (Momosuzu Nene), Daniel Barguer (Hoshimachi Suisei), Haziq Yazid (Shiori Novella), Nichi Michan (Mococo Abyssgard), Mohamed Khashiu (Tsunomaki Watame), Rustim Kurashio (La+ Darknesss) and Tawan Bhumin (Fuwawa Abyssgard). Those finishing 11th and below moved into the Zako split, including Rey‑Mark Rosales (Shiranui Flare) in 11th onwards.

In Split B, the top eleven drivers qualified for Tsuyo: Tyler Williams (Amane Kanata), Lia Kai (Hakos Baelz), Aziz Muazif (Ayunda Risu), Joshua Azurid (Mori Calliope), Ed Skye (Kazama Iroha), Evelyn Kuromi (E. R. Bloodflame), Lorenzo Ricci (Houshou Marine), Danilo Goyena (Usada Pekora), Hinaori Miyuki (Kobo Kanaeru), Corey‑Rico Mendez (Takanashi Kiara) and Maverick Deuxieme (Omaru Polka). Those from 13th (Krzysztof Salmonman, AZKi) onward contest Zako, joined by Joey (Juufuutei Raden) and Shawn Goh (Ichijou Ririka). This is due to Hiyuta Asano (Gigi Murin) winning against Isekaijin Mikolev (Sakura Miko) for the Tsuyo Series wildcard spots in a head-to-head.

Split C produced its Tsuyo cohort from the top twelve: Callum Gibbens (Roboco), Sammy Ake (Shirakami Fubuki), Jake Goodwin (Ookami Mio), Takeda Adachi (Ninomae Ina’nis), Ho Phu‑My (Tokino Sora), Ri Liu (Isaki Riona), Angela Sims (Anya Melfissa), Mono Zettarou (Ouro Kronii), Hoshizono Ryo (Nakiri Ayame), Rim Elgore (Oozora Subaru), Kaminari Riba (Shishiro Botan) and Yukihara Touka (Yukihana Lamy). Drivers placed 13th and lower—including the aforementioned Mikolev who lost the wildcard head-to-head to Asano, Raijin Kacyznski (Yuzuki Choco) and Allie Jay (Kikirara Vivi)—will race in Zako.

Across both Japan splits, the top eleven in each secured Tsuyo berths. In Japan Split A, the elite eleven consist of Mohamed Khashiu (Tsunomaki Watame), Rustim Kurashio (La+ Darknesss), Daniel Barguer (Hoshimachi Suisei), Mohamed Shaqif Redza (Momosuzu Nene), Airi Nakamura (Akai Haato), Lexi Boan (Shirogane Noel), Lorenzo Ricci (Houshou Marine), Danilo Goyena (Usada Pekora), Ed Skye (Kazama Iroha), Hoshizono Ryo (Nakiri Ayame) and Vladislav Domaschnev (Aki Rosenthal). The remaining drivers from 12th (Sammy Ake) down contest the Zako grid.

Meanwhile, Japan Split B Tsuyo qualifiers are Tyler Williams (Amane Kanata), Ho Phu‑My (Tokino Sora), Lorenzo Ricci (Houshou Marine), Danilo Goyena (Usada Pekora), Vladislav Domaschnev (Aki Rosenthal), Ed Skye (Kazama Iroha), Ri Liu (Isaki Riona), Jace Kinsai (Takane Lui), Jake Goodwin (Ookami Mio), Maverick Deuxieme (Omaru Polka) and Jake Martinez (Hiodoshi Ao). Competitors from 12th (Krzysztof Salmonman) onward move to Zako.

In the Japan Series, notable Tsuyo entrants include Jake Martinez and Ri Liu who did not make the World Tsuyo, in addition to the JP class drivers who made the World Tsuyo

On the International front, Haziq Yazid remains atop the standings after a solid 13th‑place finish, with Mohd Shazren Redza closing in behind. As the only series without a split phase, the INT grid now turns its focus to the season’s sixth round, currently scheduled at Monza, but changes may arise.

Motegi’s Epilogue have successfully delivered decisive performances across all splits, and with Tsuyo and Zako grids set, teams will now fine‑tune their prototypes for the next chapter of high‑stakes prototype racing in ARO Competitions, starting next month