Yamaha Motor Corporation selects Colin Braun to compete in Japan September 17, 2002 - Yamaha Motor Corporation has selected Colin Braun to represent the factory in the All Japan Championship kart race at the SUGO circuit in Japan. The race is the Grand Nationals of Japan, pitting 34 drivers age 12 and up, against each other in direct drive Yamaha KT100 powered karts. Drivers from across Japan have competed this year to earn an entry for the Championship. In addition Yamaha has selected one driver from the U.S.A, one from Australia, one from Malaysia, and one from Korea to compete. Colin was contacted by Mr. Iwasa, Race Kart Product Manager of Yamaha U.S.A and asked to be the U.S. representative. Mr. Iwasa said Yamaha wanted the selected drivers to experience not only the racing in Japan but the cultural aspects of Japan as well. Colin and his family will travel to Tokyo and spend a few days there. Then ride the famous Bullet Train north to Sendi City, home of the SUGO racetrack. Practice starts October 9th with the race on October 13th. Yamaha will provide Colin with 2 engines and a Yamaha Super Winforce K chassis, as well as spare parts, tools, and technical assistance. The Braun's family team, Tracc 5, will go to Japan to work with Colin. Travis will take care of the data and record keeping, Jeff will be the mechanic, and Diane will keep the team on time and at the right places. Competing in Japan may be different, but there will be many connections to the racing Colin did this year. The Yamaha chassis Colin will use is made by Birel in Italy. This year with the help of Birel importer, MRP, Colin used the Birel Q31Z chassis to record many national and SKUSA Pro Moto wins. Woltjer Racing Engines has built Yamaha engines for Tracc 5 for years, and will be involved in helping the team on tuning the engine for the Japanese rules. Tony Coello has already begun to research the chassis and tire rules and will offer his set up assistance as he has always done. The team will be posting daily updates from the trip on its web site at www.tracc5.com.