Teams and drivers
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The 2011 Formula Challenge Japan was a multi-event motor racing championship for open-wheel formula racing cars, and the sixth season of the Formula Challenge Japan racing series, a young driver development series jointly supported by Honda, Toyota, and Nissan. The championship featured a mix of manufacturer-affiliated drivers and independent entries, and commenced on 23 April and ended on 6 November. [1] [2] Three race weekends were run in support of Formula Nippon, with the October round at Suzuka being held in support of the Formula One Japanese Grand Prix.
Toyota junior Takamoto Katsuta won the championship by a five-point margin after winning three of the four races in the final round at Motegi, with fellow Toyota drivers Ryō Hirakawa and Kazuya Ishii coming second and third in the points standings. Kazuki Hiramine finished fourth as the highest Honda-supported driver after taking three wins and the championship lead early on. Nissan junior driver Tsubasa Kondō and Yūya Motojima completed the top six, who were the only drivers to take race wins or pole positions throughout the season.
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All races were held in Japan. Rounds 3–4, 9, and 8–14 were run in support of the Formula Nippon Championship, and Rounds 11–12 were held as support races for the 2011 Japanese Grand Prix, a round of the 2011 Formula One World Championship.
Rounds 8 and 9 were originally scheduled to be held on 3–4 September at Suzuka, but were cancelled due to adverse weather conditions caused by Tropical Storm Talas. Round 8 was moved to the final race weekend at Motegi.
| Round | Circuit | Date | Pole position | Fastest lap | Winning driver |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Fuji Speedway, Oyama | 23 April |  Kazuya Ishii | Yūya Motojima | Takamoto Katsuta |
| 2 | 24 April | Tsubasa Kondō | Kazuki Hiramine | Kazuki Hiramine | |
| 3 | Suzuka Circuit, Suzuka | 14 May | Kazuya Ishii | Kazuki Hiramine | Kazuya Ishii |
| 4 | 15 May | Kazuki Hiramine | Kazuki Hiramine | Kazuki Hiramine | |
| 5 | Fuji Speedway, Oyama | 11 June | Kazuki Hiramine | Kazuki Hiramine | Kazuki Hiramine |
| 6 | Kazuki Hiramine | Yūya Motojima | Ryō Hirakawa | ||
| 7 | 12 June | Yūya Motojima | Yūya Motojima | Yūya Motojima | |
| 9 | Suzuka Circuit, Suzuka | 4 September | Race cancelled | ||
| 10 | Suzuka Circuit, Suzuka | 8 October | Kazuya Ishii | Takamoto Katsuta | Kazuya Ishii |
| 11 | 9 October | Takamoto Katsuta | Takamoto Katsuta | ||
| 8 | Twin Ring Motegi, Motegi | 5 November | Ryō Hirakawa | Mitsunori Takaboshi | Tsubasa Kondō |
| 12 | Takamoto Katsuta | Takamoto Katsuta | |||
| 13 | 6 November | Takamoto Katsuta | Takamoto Katsuta | ||
| 14 | Takamoto Katsuta | Takamoto Katsuta | |||
Points were awarded to the top six classified finishers, with one point awarded for pole position and fastest lap respectively.
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | PP | FL |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10 | 7 | 5 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
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