2020 Japanese Super GT

[Beryl]

It's amazing that 6 cars in GT500 still hold their own destiny in the last race of the championship battle! When was the last that happened in professional motorsport (without any gimmicks or regulations like double points)?



The #36 is still right in it too, only needs a little help (a win without the #17 or #37 in second).

[TheNo1F1Fan]

Originally Posted by Beryl

It's amazing that 6 cars in GT500 still hold their own destiny in the last race of the championship battle! When was the last that happened in professional motorsport (without any gimmicks or regulations like double points)?



The #36 is still right in it too, only needs a little help (a win without the #17 or #37 in second).

Last time there were more than 5 contenders was in 2010 despite a cancelled race (Rd.7 Fuji).

[Japanese Samurai]

Race day press confernce by GTA (Masaaki Bandoh) <Part.1>
https://supergt.net/news/single/20626

*About next season schedule
Regarding next season, we are planning to hold all 8 races as usual.
Next year, we will also race at the Okayama International Circuit, Sportsland SUGO, and Autopolis, where we had to give up holding SGT.
At the previous Rd.7 Motegi race, the organizers of Fuji Speedway, Sportsland SUGO, and Autopolis visited us, and at this race, the organizers of the Okayama International Circuit visited us.
On the other hand, we have the prospect that it will be difficult to hold overseas races given the current situation.
There is also a balance with the Tokyo Olympics and Paralympics that was postponed next year, and there is also a question of what the situation of the new coronavirus will be in the future.
However, at worst, I think the current level is the lowest.
Therefore, we ask the organizers of each circuit to hold the race at the current level.

*About future GT500 tech regulations
Until now, changes to GT500 class tech regulations have been made once every three years, but we are trying to change this once every four years.
In other words, the current Class one regulations introduced from this season will continue to operate until the 2023 season.
Next season, we will freeze development in areas such as engines and aerodynamics.
Then, looking at the situation in the first 4 races of the next season, we are discussing with each car manufacturer participating in the GT500 class in the direction of lifting the development freeze if there is a place where it is judged that it is better to lift it.
For areas where the development freeze has been lifted for the 2022 season, the development freeze will be made in the next 2023 season.
In addition, GTA will, in principle, control all tests conducted during the off-season.
We will also limit testing during the season so that car and tire manufacturers can be tested together as much as possible.
The technical regulations after 2024 will be environmentally friendly.
For example, the safety car at this race uses biofuel mixed with 10% recycled waste oil from tempura oil.
We want to decide the basis of the 2024 tech regulations by the end of next year.

[Japanese Samurai]

Race day press conference by GTA (Masaaki Bandoh) <Part.2>
https://car.watch.impress.co.jp/docs/news/1291930.html

*About 2024 tech regulations
Challenges include racing tires with recycled tires and reduction of CO2.

*About GT300 sporting regulations
Q. Will the weight handicap of points x 3kg be applied also next season?
A. Since this is a regulation with the power-to-weight ratio of FIA-GT3 in mind, it is necessary to consider whether it can be applied to JAF-GT and MC.
I think that the obligation to change tires should be decided by the bulletin of each circuit, not by the sporting regulations.
Because it is a matter that should be decided by the characteristics of the course.

*ITR Chairman Berger reveals a phantom plan for SGT cars to join DTM and DTM cars to join SGT
During the SGT/DTM dream race, when asked if the SGT manufacturer could participate in DTM, they answered that it was impossible.

*Will new entrants appear in 2024?
Welcome to any manufacturer.

[bentley speed 8]

Well, Toyota and last moment drama go hand in hand. It looked like Hirakawa was on course for a race and championship win and his Supra just runs out of fuel coming out of final corner. All of this hands over both the championship and race win to the Raybrig NSX of Yamamoto and Makino. Raybrig bows out on a high note, a fitting end to a sponsor that is so closely associated with Super GT.

Kondo racing's GT300 division makes up for the horrible year they had in GT500 by winning the championship. It seemed like nobody could touch the Greenbrave Supra on pace, but their points deficit was just too much to overcome.

[Japanese Samurai]

According to the SGT official website, the 2024 regulation appears to apply for four years.
However, according to Car Watch, the 2020 regulation will be applied for four years because 2021 will be frozen for development.
So I don't know if the 2024 tech regulations will apply for three years or four years.

[MagVanisher]

I have to say that Saitama Toyopet is the most surprising GT300 team who posed a threat for this year, but Kondo Racing proved to be the strongest team in that class.

Meanwhile, I expect Toyota to win a championship with their brand-new Supra GT500 car, but No. 37 Keeper TOM's ran out of fuel at the final corner of the last lap. A heartbreaking loss for Toyota Team TOM's, but a surprising win for Team Kunimitsu who claimed the championship while having the Raybrig livery.

[TheNo1F1Fan]

Probably the most painful moment in Super GT history.

[Matador]

Heartbroken for Ryo & TOM's, but can't really hate the dream exit for Raybrig as a sponsor to team Kunimitsu. Should make finding a new title sponsor less of a chore.

[S griffin]

Motorsport is full of drama and at times it's just heartbreaking, as is the case. TOM's deserved it, but that's life. You can't deny a great title for Kunimitsu. Hopefully they will be back with a new sponsor, hopefully plenty available for them. Already look forward to next season

[canaglia]

I'll get 2 or 3 extra liters for my toyota next time I'll stop for gas, your never know.

[Japanese Samurai]

Autosport web is reporting GT500 inside race report.
https://www.as-web.jp/supergt/649878?all

*Team Kunimitsu (#100)
Raybrig NSX made a pit stop on lap 22. This was minimum pit stop. Therefore, the team was fully refueled.
*Since the use of telemetry is not permitted in SGT, accurate fuel economy cannot be grasped.
*According to Yamamoto's radio, the fuel economy was barely enough.
Therefore, the team ordered the fuel save mode.
Yamamoto turned off the anti-lag and did a lift and coast.
With 10 laps remaining, Yamamoto directly appealed to let him attack because it would be meaningless to finish the race and lose to his rivals.
*So Hitoshi Iyoki chief engineer ordered him to make a full attack.
According to the estimate, the remaining fuel was calculated to be 1kg at the finish.
It is a number that can barely suck out fuel with 1kg.
As a result, the Raybrig NSX ran out of gas shortly after the checkered flag.

*Team Tom's (#37)
Masaki Koeda (# 37 chief engineer) blames himself.
Keeper Tom's was not fully refueled at the pit stop.
At the end of the race, there was a radio from Hirakawa saying that there was not enough gas in the remaining two laps.
The team hadn't even expected to run out of gas until then.

[Japanese Samurai]

Autosport web is reporting season review of Honda
https://www.as-web.jp/supergt/650324?all

*In final round, #100, #17 and #8 chose different compound tires.
And the compound selected by #100 matched the road surface temperature.
(#37 also chose tires with the same compound as #100.)
*In addition to that, #100's anti-pickup measures were successful.
*Regarding engines, Masahiro Saiki (Honda LPL) has declared that their engine is the most fuel efficient.
*Honda has emphasized drivability over peak power also in the 2nd fresh engine.
*It was also possible to make the engine a direction that relies on anti-lag for drivability with an emphasis on peak power.
However it wastes fuel efficiency.
*As a result, the fuel-efficient engine brought Honda the victory in the final round.

[S griffin]

You have to say Honda did quite well with that car. Very good strategies, very quick to react to situations. Plus their engine and fuel rate really seemed to suit the series to a tee. They really had all the right preparation too. With all that, they were always a candidate for success and if they got a bit lucky in the final round, it was partly due to them making sure they could pick up any pieces by making the car very efficient

[canaglia]

is hard to tell who has the better fuel efficient engine between honda and toyota...
what actually made the difference is that winning nsx did a full refuel during pit stop, toyota #37 didn't...

[hvr777]

Originally Posted by canaglia

I'll get 2 or 3 extra liters for my toyota next time I'll stop for gas, your never know.

Remember, your mileage will be vary. You might need to coast...

[hvr777]

Originally Posted by S griffin

You have to say Honda did quite well with that car. Very good strategies, very quick to react to situations. Plus their engine and fuel rate really seemed to suit the series to a tee. They really had all the right preparation too. With all that, they were always a candidate for success and if they got a bit lucky in the final round, it was partly due to them making sure they could pick up any pieces by making the car very efficient

Yes, Honda has the most wins in 2020 (4 wins) compared to Toyota (2) and Nissan (2). They are fast throughout the season although there were some mishaps.
Looks like the FR layout is less troublesome.

[Japanese Samurai]

According to Autosport web, Honda squad had lifted all engine-related alerts for the final round.
Since they were the final race, they were racing with the expectation that the engine could break.
https://www.as-web.jp/supergt/651324?all

[hvr777]

Originally Posted by Japanese Samurai

According to Autosport web, Honda squad had lifted all engine-related alerts for the final round.
Since they were the final race, they were racing with the expectation that the engine could break.
https://www.as-web.jp/supergt/651324?all

It's pretty sensible since nothing to reserve at the last race.

But I wonder if GTA / race organizers will notice this one and maybe regulate those things for safety reasons.

[hvr777]

I've just created new thread for 2021 Japanese Super GT.

https://tentenths.com/forum/showthre...69#post4021269

[Japanese Samurai]

Hoppy Team Tsuchiya Rd.8 race report
https://www.as-web.jp/supergt/653292

Takeshi Tsuchiya had a strategy in mind for final round. It's no-tire-change strategy.
The road surface temperature is low because it is a race at the end of November.
Therefore, if you do not change the tires, you do not need to warm up.
In the practice session, Matsui tested two tires.
One is the conventional tire suitable for long runs. The other is a new soft tire.
If the new tires work, it is a strategy to aim for the top by replacing the usual four tires.
However, the new tires did not work due to road surface temperature and the team decided to use the long run tires.
Matsui passed in 7th place in Q1 and Sato won the 11th grid in Q2.
For a successful no-tire-change strategy, you must check the life of the tire.
The team spent 50 laps from the practice session to the warm-up run.
As a result, it was found that the amount of wear was insufficient for the number of race laps.
However, according to Yokohama engineers, the structure of the tires is okay, so the team decided to leave it to the driver.
Team director Tsuchiya asked the two drivers to manage to keep the tires.
Sato was the start driver.
When Sato gave the inside of the corner for GT500 on lap 7, Sato pushed #4 and #4 spun.
After the race, Sato and Tsuchiya apologized to the #4 garage.
Sato made a pit stop on lap 23. No-tire-change strategy was adopted, but a drive-through penalty was imposed for contact with #4.
For the team, the race was over, but Tsuchiya was happy with Matsui's lap time.
That's because the lap time was stable even if the tires chosen by the team lost grip.
Tsuchiya says the team would have been in 9th place without a drive-through penalty.
It seems like a mother chassis car to raise the position with the pit strategy, but if the Yokohama tires are not healthy, the SGT will not be interesting.
Tsuchiya says this season is a season in which everyone has grown.
By choosing Porsche, the team was able to grow both engineering and strategically.
Especially the tires have greatly evolved.
A young Yokohama engineer joined the team and was able to develop tires together.
Tsuchiya was able to logically judge the quality of the tire without feelings.
Through the experience of failure and success, they were able to develop tires by trusting each other while communicating with each other.
Tsuchiya is thinking of entrusting authority to young staff of the team for the next season.
He has a comprehensive strategy, but wants to give the lead role to the young staff.
He wants to take Tsuchiya Engineering to the next stage.