2022 Japanese Super GT

[rjoconnell]

auto sport put up a GT300 stove league article. They've gotten onboard the premium subscription model, of course, but I wanted to share my thoughts on the highlights that it covers.

A tenured GT300 team, known for fielding mid-engined import GT3 machines, will withdraw from the series and attempt to enter another championship.

It's likely that this is Audi Team Hitotsuyama. JLOC confirmed via Facebook that they're coming back for '22. Anecdotally, Hitotsuyama Racing have a tendency to bounce in and out of Super GT to compete in other series.

A new team with experience in Super Taikyu, who entered last season in two separate categories (but not in ST-X), will enter the series with a new GT300 spec Toyota GR86 constructed by apr.

It's almost certain that this is Hayashi Telempu SHADE Racing, who ran a Supra GT4 in ST-Z and a first-gen 86 in ST-4 this past Super Taikyu season. This is almost certainly the landing spot for free agent Katsuyuki Hiranaka, who has been part of SHADE Racing since they began racing in Super Taikyu.

There is a waiting list of about five teams who want to enter GT300. Some of them are past GT300 teams hoping to secure a grid slot with very competitive packages that are ready to go at any time.

It could come at the expense of pro-am R'Qs Motor Sports, who crashed out of the season at Autopolis and admitted they face a difficult task to resume racing at all.

In addition to Hoppy Team Tsuchiya's new GT300 GR Supra, and BMW Team Studie x CSL launching the new M4 GT4, a total of three Toyota GR86 GT300s are under construction. One will be for apr's number 30 entry.

The other two comprise of the aforementioned SHADE Racing, and this prospective new entry:

There is a Malaysian team that wishes to enter GT300. They are currently in discussion with a leading Japanese team for vehicle maintenance. This is one of the teams from the two GT500 manufacturers who have not announced their 2022 lineups.

Meaning that, a Honda or Nissan GT500 team will be supporting a Toyota GT300 team in a technical capacity. Stranger collaborations have happened, I'm sure. B-Max feels like the most likely candidate. Kondo already have a GT300 team. Impul have an existing connection to Gainer's #10 car, though I'm not sure how Hoshino Jr's retirement impacts this.



It's also worth noting that international teams such as arto Team Thailand (and X Works Racing in years past) are able to enter unconditionally, even if the GT300 grid reaches its 30 car capacity.

Gainer have two vacancies to fill with the departure of Hiranaka and Hoshino. It seems that several young drivers have already tested their Nissan GT-R NISMO GT3, as this is a highly coveted team for young drivers.

Keep an eye on Atsushi Miyake as a potential candidate; he was recently at the Nissan GT500 open test and the Super Formula rookie test. Teppei Natori had been building some form of connection to Nissan, but now appears to be heading to F2 as an independent driver.

With Sena Sakaguchi going to GT500 full-time and the possibility that Ren Sato could be moving up to GT500, some of the top drivers from the Toyota Gazoo Racing Driver Challenge (TGR-DC) and Honda Formula Dream Project (HFDP) could graduate from FIA F4 to GT300. F4 champion Seita Nonaka is certain to make his debut with a Toyota affiliated team.

Nonaka at K-Tunes Racing to replace S. Sakaguchi feels like a sensible decision. Other names to watch for: Hibiki Taira, Rin Arakawa, Eijiro Shimizu, and Jiei Okazaki from TGR-DC; Iori Kimura, Kakunoshin Ohta, and Syun Koide from HFDP.

Depending on the state of immigration to Japan, a big name foreign driver with a brilliant track record in GT3 races around the world is set to enter GT300.

Christopher Mies, Nicki Thiim, and Dennis Lind were three accomplished GT300 drivers who attempted to race in 2020, but could not enter due to COVID-19.

[rjoconnell]

Also, for the first time in series history, Porsche is not likely to be represented on the grid. Another car model is likely to disappear from the grid.

[TF110]

Anything on the Lotus MC? I liked that its a one of a kind but seeing another would be great.

[Baliwa]

Originally Posted by hvr777

I don't think Team Studie is on the position for winning the championship title with current driver lineup. These days, to be successful on taking GT300 title, you need all pro drivers which can produce consistent result.

But I think they still can win a race with M4 GT3. And they need to do it on first year, because the car may be nerfed down by BOP once GTA know the car has "unfair advantage".

Yea, and need proper mechanic crew too... so it will be really hard task.

Originally Posted by rjoconnell

auto sport put up a GT300 stove league article. They've gotten onboard the premium subscription model, of course, but I wanted to share my thoughts on the highlights that it covers.


It's likely that this is Audi Team Hitotsuyama. JLOC confirmed via Facebook that they're coming back for '22. Anecdotally, Hitotsuyama Racing have a tendency to bounce in and out of Super GT to compete in other series.

Wait, not Team Lemans? Color me surprise for real. And they not buy that Evo2 kit?
Also, how much GTWC Asia shaking up the ST and GT300 field so far?
Reading somewhere (Facebook share system) Studie ready put M2 CS on there

Christopher Mies, Nicki Thiim, and Dennis Lind were three accomplished GT300 drivers who attempted to race in 2020, but could not enter due to COVID-19.

Just hope foreigner getting easier access next year.

[rjoconnell]

The Evora MC could be the other car that's being retired, based on the wishes of INGING's sponsors. And if I'm honest - if that car goes, the Team Mach MC86 can't be far behind.

[VortexManagment]

I remembered that in 2018 NISMO disclosed 2015 downforce figures, is someone aware of something similar today? About the DF of 2018/2017 cars, revealed in some Autosport report or similar.

[rjoconnell]

Two big stories today.


Hayashi Telempu SHADE Racing officially declared their entry into the GT300 class:
http://www.shade-racing.com/informat.../super-gt.html


And Tsutomu Tojo, long time chief engineer at TOM's, is leaving to join ROOKIE Racing in 2022.
https://ameblo.jp/tsutomutojo/entry-12717387178.html

[Baliwa]

Hitotsuyama finally announcing out from GT300.
Gonna miss them for sure.
https://hitotsuyamaracing.net/news/5238/

[Bcarr6]

Originally Posted by Baliwa

Hitotsuyama finally announcing out from GT300.
Gonna miss them for sure.
https://hitotsuyamaracing.net/news/5238/

Wonder if they are out of racing or just Super GT. Maybe the increase of GTWC Asia Japanese rounds has been a lure, and GT3 is hardly favoured in GT300 these days

[Baliwa]

Originally Posted by Bcarr6

Wonder if they are out of racing or just Super GT. Maybe the increase of GTWC Asia Japanese rounds has been a lure, and GT3 is hardly favoured in GT300 these days

I think they will move to GTWC Asia next year and will be back when favor going to them again or get better backer on team I guess.

[rjoconnell]

Tokyo Auto Salon is this weekend in Chiba.


Honda will announce their full range of racing activities, including Super GT, Friday at 9 AM GMT:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a5uHgQwBlDo


BMW Team Studie (x CSL) will also announce their 2022 programme, built around the M4 GT3, on 28 January. Bob Suzuki has said that this will be "the most significant change" since their first season as a standalone team in 2014, perhaps teasing a move back to an all-pro driver lineup.

[MagVanisher]

Nice to see Team Studie making big changes for this year's championship.

Of course, I'm really curious regarding Honda's racing activities ever since they left Formula One last year.

[jross427]

Pics from a buddy at TAS during load in

Attached are the new APR gt300 gr86 and the new Toyota GT3 concept

[Baliwa]

img credit: Takamori JJhttps://twitter.com/Takanori_JJ/media

GR86 GT300 look beautiful!
Will be running by Shade Racing with #30 number
https://www.dailysportscar.com/2022/...pr-racing.html

[joeb]

Originally Posted by jross427

Pics from a buddy at TAS during load in

Attached are the new APR gt300 gr86 and the new Toyota GT3 concept

Thanks for sharing. Both cars look great and I'm amazed that the GT3 concept looks like a rendering but it is real!

[TheNo1F1Fan]

Honda's lineup for Super GT and Super Formula announced:

Super GT (GT500):
- #8 ARTA: Tomoki Nojiri / Nirei Fukuzumi
- #16 Mugen: Ukyo Sasahara / Toshiki Oyu
- #17 Astemo: Koudai Tsukakoshi / Nobuharu Matsushita
- #64 Nakajima: Takuya Izawa / Hiroki Otsu
- #100 Kunimitsu: Naoki Yamamoto / Tadasuke Makino

No changes except for Matsushita joining Astemo Real Racing.

Super GT (GT300):
- #18 UpGarage: Takashi Kobayashi / Kakunoshin Ota
- #55 ARTA: Hideki Mutoh / Iori Kimura

Two new drivers, Kakunoshin Ota and Iori Kimura join the GT300 lineup. And Shinichi Takagi isn't part of the GT300 lineup, so he's probably retiring. And Ren Sato...well, I guess I know why.

Super Formula:
- Team Mugen: Tomoki Nojiri
- Dandelion Racing: Tadasuke Makino / Hiroki Otsu
- Drago Corse: Nirei Fukuzumi
- B-Max Racing: Nobuharu Matsushita / TBA
- Nakajima Racing: Naoki Yamamoto / Toshiki Oyu
- Team Goh: Ren Sato / TBA

Koudai Tsukakoshi is not part of the Super Formula line-up. There are a few driver moves here and there. Now that Ren Sato is lined up in Team Goh, I guess it's Super Formula focus?

[TF110]

Really liking the GR86 GT300! Looks great imo, we need more jaf gt300s

[Baliwa]

Originally Posted by TheNo1F1Fan

Honda's lineup for Super GT and Super Formula announced:

Super GT (GT500):
- #8 ARTA: Tomoki Nojiri / Nirei Fukuzumi
- #16 Mugen: Ukyo Sasahara / Toshiki Oyu
- #17 Astemo: Koudai Tsukakoshi / Nobuharu Matsushita
- #64 Nakajima: Takuya Izawa / Hiroki Otsu
- #100 Kunimitsu: Naoki Yamamoto / Tadasuke Makino

No changes except for Matsushita joining Astemo Real Racing.

Super GT (GT300):
- #18 UpGarage: Takashi Kobayashi / Kakunoshin Ota
- #55 ARTA: Hideki Mutoh / Iori Kimura

Two new drivers, Kakunoshin Ota and Iori Kimura join the GT300 lineup. And Shinichi Takagi isn't part of the GT300 lineup, so he's probably retiring. And Ren Sato...well, I guess I know why.

Super Formula:
- Team Mugen: Tomoki Nojiri
- Dandelion Racing: Tadasuke Makino / Hiroki Otsu
- Drago Corse: Nirei Fukuzumi
- B-Max Racing: Nobuharu Matsushita / TBA
- Nakajima Racing: Naoki Yamamoto / Toshiki Oyu
- Team Goh: Ren Sato / TBA

Koudai Tsukakoshi is not part of the Super Formula line-up. There are a few driver moves here and there. Now that Ren Sato is lined up in Team Goh, I guess it's Super Formula focus?

As per Ren Sato we still need see if he will be go to Drago Corse GT300 or not since Drago not release driver name yet, and I suspect Honda didn't really want losing him since I think last year before incident happen lot people dabbed him have lot potential.

I think it just like they want he refocusing on speed and stability.

[TheNo1F1Fan]

Now, speaking of liveries, here's two of them revealed.

Stanley NSX-GT 2022, pre-season testing livery


New Goodsmile Racing 2022 livery

[MagVanisher]

The GR86 is a great evolution over the MC86 car, although I'm curious about Toyota's new GT3 concept car 'cause I have a feeling that they might launch a single-make series with that car.

[FIRE]

Originally Posted by jross427

Pics from a buddy at TAS during load in

Attached are the new APR gt300 gr86 and the new Toyota GT3 concept

The GT3 concept has some pony car looks.

[Baliwa]

Originally Posted by MagVanisher

The GR86 is a great evolution over the MC86 car, although I'm curious about Toyota's new GT3 concept car 'cause I have a feeling that they might launch a single-make series with that car.

Nah, it will be on GT7 for sure lol, I'll be surprise if they ever make road car version of it and make homologation after that. Nah just like they Supra GTE Concept, it's cool but never race in real life only in game.

https://www.dailysportscar.com/2022/...-notebook.html

Also Busou and Central20 will bring Z GT300 in future? (not this year)

[TheNo1F1Fan]

NISMO set to run 2-car entry, taking over B-Max Racing
https://www.motorsport.com/supergt/n...31722/?nrt=172

[MagVanisher]

Originally Posted by Baliwa

https://www.dailysportscar.com/2022/...-notebook.html

Also Busou and Central20 will bring Z GT300 in future? (not this year)

I wonder if it'll be GT3-based, Mother Chassis, or JAF-GT300?

[Speed-King]

Originally Posted by MagVanisher

I wonder if it'll be GT3-based, Mother Chassis, or JAF-GT300?

I think the Mother Chassis is pretty much dead in terms of being used as the basis for new cars.