Fuji Super Trofeo: Ebrahim/Malagamuwa claims podium in Race 1

Malagamuwa qualified second for Race 1 on Saturday, mere 0.012s behind pole team of Uchida Yasuyuki and Jono Lester.

For the first race, Ebrahim started for the Dilango team and was involved in a tight battle with early leader Lester for the win.

The duo exchanged lead four times during the race, but the Indo-Sri Lankan pair had to settle for second after its bonnet threatened to come lose due to contact.

“I moved into the lead after a good start in Race 1 by making a move around the first corner," reflected the Indian.

"I set the fastest lap of the race soon after. Jon Lester, who was in pole position, and I ran close, but I had to back off and settle for second because my bonnet was coming off.

“This happened due to light contact at the first corner of the first lap. Anyway, I pitted in second right behind the leader.

"Dilantha went out and did well to maintain his position and bring the car home 2nd overall and a win in class."

In the end, the pair of Toshiyuki Ochiai and Afiq Yazid  came back from sixth to take the win from Ebrahim and Malagamuwa with Eiji Yamada holding off Yasuyuki and Lester for third. 

Fighting fourth in Race 2

The overnight rain made life difficult for the drivers at Fuji, Malagamuwa started the second race from sixth, but dropped to ninth after being pushed wide.

The Sri Lankan made inroads before handing the car to Ebrahim, who clawed his way back to fifth, fighting for fourth, as third-placed driver was already well up the road.

The Indian lapped almost five seconds quicker than the fourth-placed and within two laps reeled him in to end fourth, behind the top three.

Ochiai and Yazid doubled up with Race 2 win, from Yamada as Yasuyuki and Lester completed the rostrum.

"Race 2 was a tricky one because it had been raining through the night, heavily enough for the start to be delayed.

"Dilantha, starting from sixth, lost out and ran wide at the first corner while trying to avoid a car that had missed his braking point. This made him drop way down the order and made life a lot harder.

“Dilantha did well to come back to seventh, but the gap to the leaders was massive. I managed to pull back a bit and brought the car home in fourth overall. Conditions were crazy as the rain kept increasing," Ebrahim added.