June 12th to 13th, the All-Japan F3 Championship held its fifth and sixth rounds at Fuji Speedway. Fuji was where Kimiya Sato took his victory last year. This time out he got 3rd in class in qualifying for the fifth round, and looked to be moving up.

In contrast, Sasaki's time worsened and he took 8th in class in the qualifier. During the short interval he consulted with his team and after making some adjustments to his machine looked towards qualifying for round 6.

These careful adjustments proved successful, and Sasaki gained a great deal of time to take 3rd in class in qualifying. Watching on the monitor, advisor Kazuki Hoshino was shocked at the improvement. Sato took 7th. Compared to the first qualifying session, it was as if the two had switched places.

''The first time out I made a lot of mistakes and my time wasn't great. So I cleared my head and decided to just go for broke (in the second qualifying session). When I adjusted the balance and the tire pressure for the optimum time, everything just got better and I was able to race without any mistakes,'' said Sasaki.

June 12th (Sat.): Round five. Sasaki was 7th in qualifying, but due to a penalty was moved back to last (11th). ''You'll only have a chance in the early stages of the race'' said advisor Masami Kageyama with his final yell. ''First, concentrate on the start.''

From the start, Sasaki put together multiple high pace laps and by lap 10 was .1 seconds behind 4th. Sasaki challenged, but wasn't able to handle the corner and went off track. He lost his place, but after a tough battle was able to ultimately raise himself back up to 5th place for the finish.

Sato started 3rd. He had been focusing on his start, but was unable to improve his position and kept 3rd place. However in the early stages he was able to keep pace with the two cars ahead for many laps.

In the middle of the race a C-class car began to slowly close in on Sato. His pace was not greatly different from Sato's. While battling with this car, Sato slowly fell behind the 2nd-place machine.

''When battling with a C-class car, I lost hold on second place. The question is whether or not I would have been knocked out if that hadn't happened...'' said Sato at the press conference. With the condition of his machine gradually getting better, a shot at the top is only a step away.

Sasaki started the 6th race on the 13th (Sunday) from the #3 grid. ''Just like yesterday, I'll make my attack at the outset,'' he explained, his focus heightened. The pace of the machine isn't bad. It can take the top position. There's confidence in saying that.

At the start, the vehicle in front of Sasaki failed to move, causing him to start the race while dodging the car. Although passed by another machine, he was soon able to return to his previous position and start putting pressure on the vehicle in second place. At the first corner of the third lap, Sasaki was able to plunge down the inside beside his opponent.

The car would not let him simply take the lead, however, and they continued to battle it out as far as Coca Cola corner. It was there that the two cars made contact, resulting in a violent crash and the end of Sasaki's participation in the race.

If only due to the fact that the condition of the car had been gradually improving, the race was a regrettable one. ''The strength of the car had improved and I myself had gotten used to racing in F3. I'll win the next time.'' The word ''victory'' had now been uttered by the rookie.

The Safety Car came out in response to Sasaki's crash, and the restart would begin on lap 7. Sato, who had moved up to 4th, would go on to quickly overtake the car he followed on the home straight, jumping to 3rd. He then passed one more car, claiming 2nd place and securing a position on the winners' podium for the 3rd time this season.

Upon vehicle re-inspection after the race, it was found that Sato's car was lighter than the specified minimum weight, leading to his disqualification. That said, looking at how far Sasaki had challenged himself and the racing of both drivers, it is certain that both had come close to the top. At the next round, at Fuji, it seems that they'll both be joining in the battle for overall victory.