Kiwi Nick Cassidy is tied for the lead in the Japanese F3 Championship after a weekend of mixed results at the Twin Ring Motegi circuit.

The Auckland driver held a narrow three point lead heading into the penultimate round of the season, but a second place finish in Race 1, followed by a fifth in the final encounter wiped out his advantage.

Cassidy was unable to prevent Nirei Fukuzumi from securing his maiden win in the championship, although he did finish ahead of title rival Kenta Yamashita, who was third.

The former Toyota Racing Series champion couldn’t improve from his fifth place grid slot in Race 2 as Fukuzumi led Yamashita to the chequered flag.

Yamahsita and Cassidy are now tied on 105 points heading into the final round of the championship held at Sugo from October 17-18.

Prior to the season finale, Cassidy will contest two rounds of the FIA European F3 Championship at the Algarve International Circuit and the Nurburgring next month.

Super Formula 

Hiroaki Ishiura claimed victory in the fourth round of the Super Formula series at the Twin Ring Motegi Circuit.

The 34-year-old from Tokyo converted his pole position into a win as he opened up a seven point lead at the top of the championship standings.

Former Williams Formula 1 driver Kazuki Nakajima was just 1.7s adrift of Ishiura at the chequered flag, while series leader Joao Paulo de Oliveira secured the final place on the podium in third.

Super Formula heads to the Autopolis circuit for round five from September 12-13.