Vaughn pretty much earned it, but Sakuma honestly beat him in the round that was determined to be 'even' and which led to the 'one more time'. In the sudden death battle Vaughn definitely beat Sakuma.
I think the D1 judges honestly tilt the tables toward the American drivers, but after this year it's really not necessary. Most of the Japanese drivers still are better but have been driving longer so it's to be expected.
At last years USA vs Japan, the only American who proceeded far and deserved it was Forsberg, I was there and saw it all in person.
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At a given day and a given circumstance, you think you have a limit. And you then go for this limit, and you touch the limit, and you think "okay, this is the limit". As soon as you touch this limit, something happens in you so that you can go a little bit further. With your mind power, your determination, your instinct and your experience as well, you can fly very high. - Ayrton Senna