2011 Japanese Super GT

[Japanese Samurai]

Better photo of Tom's SC430.

[TF110]

I see no photo Japanese Samurai. Is only Tom's testing swan rear wing?

[Japanese Samurai]

Originally Posted by TF110

Is only Tom's testing swan rear wing?

Yes.

Motegi test Day2 Session1 result
1.#17 KEIHIN REAL HSV-010 Kaneishi/ Tsukakoshi* BS 1'44.686
2.#36 PETRONAS TOM'S SC430 Lotterer/ Nakajima* / Ito BS 1'45.383
3.#46 S-Road MOLA GTR Yanagida/ Quintarelli* MI 1'45.553
4.#8 ARTA HSV-010 Mutoh/ Kobayashi/ Kogure* BS 1'45.651
5.#24 ADVAN KONDO GTR Yasuda*/ Wirdheim YH 1'45.887
6.#32 EPSON Nakajima HSV-010 Michigami*/ Nakayama DL 1'45.891
7.#39 DENSO SARD SC430 Ishiura/ Igucgi* MI 1'45.938
8.#12 CALSONIC IMPUL GTR Matsuda/ Oliveira* BS 1'46.529
9.#23 MOTUL NISMO GTR Motoyama/ Treluyer* BS 1'46.860
10.#19 WedsSport Bandoh SC430 Kataoka*/ Ara YH 1'47.425
11.#88 JLOC RG-3 Iiri/ Sekiguchi* YH 1'55.175
12.#86 JLOC RG-3 Sakamoto*/ Aoki YH 1'55.571
13.#2 Shiden Takahashi/ Katoh* YH 1'56.510
14.#43 ARTA Garaiya Takagi/ Matsuura* BS 1'56.594
15.#62 R&D SPORT LEGACY B4 Yamano*/ Sasaki YH 1'57.432
16.#11 JIMGAINER 458 Tanaka/ Hiranaka* DL 1'57.571
*Best time

Motegi test Day2 Session2 result
1.#36 PETRONAS TOM'S SC430 Lotterer*/ Nakajima/ Ito BS 1'45.323
2.#17 KEIHIN REAL HSV-010 Kaneishi/ Tsukakoshi* BS 1'45.429
3.#46 S-Road MOLA GTR Yanagida*/ Quintarelli MI 1'45.429
4.#23 MOTUL NISMO GTR Motoyama/ Treluyer* BS 1'45.470
5.#8 ARTA HSV-010 Mutoh/ Kobayashi*/ Kogure BS 1'45.820
6.#32 EPSON Nakajima HSV-010 Michigami*/ Nakayama DL 1'46.130
7.#39 DENSO SARD SC430 Ishiura/ Iguchi* MI 1'47.044
8.#12 CALSONIC IMPUL GTR Matsuda/ Oliveira* BS 1'47.120
9.#19 WedsSport Bandoh SC430 Kataoka*/ Ara YH 1'47.234
10.#24 ADVAN KONDO GTR Yasuda/ Wirdheim* YH 1'47.396
11.#2 Shiden Takahashi/ Katoh* YH 1'56.472
12.#43 ARTA Garaiya Takagi/ Matsuura* BS 1'56.679
13.#11 JIMGAINER 458 Tanaka/ Hiranaka* DL 1'57.316
14.#62 R&D SPORT LEGACY B4 Yamano/ Sasaki* YH 1'57.889
--.#86 JLOC RG-3 Sakamoto/ Aoki YH No Time
--.#88 JLOC RG-3 Iiri/ Sekiguchi YH No Time
*Best time

[Japanese Samurai]

Tom's SC430

[MitchZ06]

No wonder they're faster than LMP2s, look at the size of that bloody wing!

[chernaudi]

And the fact that they're front engined LMP cars under the carbon fiber faux-road car body. GT500s run carbon fiber monocoque chassis (with steel roll cage, sort of like the McLaren F1 or Mercedes-Benz CLK-GTR), pushrod/inboard double wishbone suspension front and rear, and they make more power than the LMP2s, on the order of 80-100bhp. And they don't weight a ton more than LMP2 (1100kgs vs 900kgs), and they have wider tires than most of the LMP2 field.

Also, GT500s have been built mostly for sprint racing, while the LMP2s have to stand a reasonable chance to lasting 24 hours.

[TF110]

Yet the same engine lasted 24 hours in the Rebellion Toyota. With more power. GT500 cars make 500hp, not that much more than LMP2's. they weigh 200kg more and the wing isn't that much bigger. The aerodynamics of these cars is what sets them apart. Awesome aero grip.

[AndrewF31]

Where's #35 Lexus with Wakisaka and Andre Couto?

Another portuguese driver irradicated in a faraway place for years.

[Japanese Samurai]

Originally Posted by AndrewF31

Where's #35 Lexus with Wakisaka and Andre Couto?

Absence.
Team Kraft(#35) completely restructured the framework at this season.
Wakisaka is deeply related to this restructuring of the team.
Team principal, engineers and mechanics were almost completely changed.
Therefore, mechanical troubles and human errors continue.
Front suspensions interfered with the exhaust tube in Fuji round and qualifying of Okayama round. In Okayama round and Sepang round, they failed in the pit work and the race was lost. In SUGO round, Wakisaka bumped #17 from behind, damaged radiator, and retired.
In Suzuka round, they "raced" for the first time.

[Japanese Samurai]

According to Kota Sasaki's blog,
Team R&D Sport(#62) seem to renew aero parts of Legacy B4 in Fuji round.
He says it is "GT500 style" aero parts.
This is the photo of the new parts. Is it a lower attachment of rear end?
http://ameblo.jp/kouta339/entry-11004436285.html

[MitchZ06]

Not showing up Samurai-san....

[TF110]

Yeah, picture is broken.

[AndrewF31]

Originally Posted by Japanese Samurai

Absence.
Team Kraft(#35) completely restructured the framework at this season.
Wakisaka is deeply related to this restructuring of the team.
Team principal, engineers and mechanics were almost completely changed.
Therefore, mechanical troubles and human errors continue.
Front suspensions interfered with the exhaust tube in Fuji round and qualifying of Okayama round. In Okayama round and Sepang round, they failed in the pit work and the race was lost. In SUGO round, Wakisaka bumped #17 from behind, damaged radiator, and retired.
In Suzuka round, they "raced" for the first time.

Thanks for the information!

[Captain Spyro]

If I may pose a question to Samurai; what happened to the GT300 Corvette from earlier in the year. I know the car/team/drivers had virtually no or little pace, but it felt nice seeing the car there.

[Japanese Samurai]

Team RUNUP sports(#360) are private teams by gentlemans.
Atsushi Tanaka(1st driver) is an owner-driver, and a businessman who manages carrier business. Kazuyoshi Okamura(2nd driver) manages a famous tuning car shop(Yashio factory), and is a drifting driver.
Basically, they are gentleman driver.
They crashed in practice session of SUGO round, and damaged the car hugely.

*Result
Fuji: Qual 14th/ Race 17th(4laps down)
Okayama: Q 20th/ R 18th(4laps down)
Sepang: Absence
SUGO: No result
Suzuka: Absence

[Japanese Samurai]

*Keinosuke Taki(Honda GT project chief)'s SGT report -Fuji round Preview-

Fuji is a circuit with the long straight of 1.5km. HSV-010 had a problem in a straight speed at the debut year of 2010. However, the car has evolved greatly by aerodynamic and the setting. So, Fuji is not weak circuit for us.
However, 7th round at last year was canceled because of the typhoon. In 2nd round at this year, we had the problem that the windshield misted over because of rain. We have not proven the speed of HSV in Fuji yet.
So we want to revenge ourselves in this race.
In championship, Weider(#1) should do finish faster than rival(MOLA, #46), and earn points. Weider are 12kg lighter than the rival. This is a perfect opportunity. The rival showed a excelent performance with Michilin tires in 2nd round. It is important how we overcome Michelin tires.
Finally, I will inform you of interesting information.
Among our 5 HSVs, Four teams use Bridgestone, and the one team(#32, Nakajima) use Dunlop. In our data, Nakajima's straight speeds tend more than other those of four teams in FSW. This seems to depend on the difference of the tire character because it is a similar tendency even if the setting is changed. Therefore, I am expecting them to get great results in this race.
http://www.honda.co.jp/SuperGT/spcon...preview/vol29/

[Japanese Samurai]

*Yutaka Suzuki(NISMO team principal)'s report -Fuji round Preview-

We supply new aero parts in Fuji. Because it is a minor update, you might not understand the difference. The improvement part is a front bumper, fins of (front?) fender and a part of underpanel. It is a hybrid spec that combines high downforce spec parts with the low drag spec of 2nd round.
In Suzuka round, our handling performance has improved because the new engine was lightened. This will act advantageously also in the final technical section of Fuji.
We(NISMO, #23) should win this race. The tire choice will become a key point.
Lexus teams will aim at the high order because their success ballasts are light. Honda teams also might be competitive because they are low drag this year.
Not making a mistake is important for us.
http://www.nismo.co.jp/motorsports/r...6/preview.html

[Japanese Samurai]

According to Good Smile Racing(#4, BMW Z4 GT3)'s blog,
GTA notified them about the performance tuning from Fuji round on Sep 1.
Their restrictor sizes have been reduced by one rank.
(66.5mm*1 or 39.4mm*2 to 54.5mm*1 or 38.6mm*2)
Other some teams seem to have received the notice of improving the performance.
However, AUTOSPORT has not reported on it now yet.
It is uncertain it is because GTA doesn't want to make the performance tuning public.
If SGT is "motorsport", GTA should make the performance tuning public at once.
http://minkara.carview.co.jp/userid/...blog/23720721/

[Japanese Samurai]

I have to apologize to AUTOSPORT.
Today, AUTOSPORT reported the performance adjustment on Sep 1.

**Performance down
#4, GSR BMWZ4GT3: [55.7mm*1 or 39.4mm*2] to [54.5mm*1 or 38.6mm*2]
**Performance up
#5, MACH Vemac320R: Performance adjustment weight: +10kg to 0kg
#22, R'Qs Vemac350R: [1,100kg=25.2mm/ 1,150kg=25.7mm/ 1,200kg=26.2mm] to [1,100kg=25.4mm/ 1,150kg=25.9mm/ 1,200kg=26.4mm]
#25, Tsuchiya GT3RSR: Performance adjustment weight: -35kg to -45kg
#34, Haruhi KTR GT3RSR: Performance adjustment weight: 10kg to 0kg
http://as-web.jp/news/info.php?c_id=2&no=35975

[Japanese Samurai]

*Tsutomu Tojo(Engineer of team Tom's)'s Fuji round preview

Can we(=Lexus) revenge ourselves in Fuji round?
The answer is yes.
This is the list of success ballast in Fuji round.
#1 Weider 88kg
#6 LeMans 54kg
#8 ARTA 14kg
#12 IMPUL 62kg
#17 REAL 60kg
#19 BANDOH 28kg
#23 NISMO 68kg
#24 KONDO 46kg
#32 NAKAJIMA 24kg
#35 KRAFT 10kg
#36 TOM'S 56kg
#38 CERUMO 30kg
#39 SARD 52kg
#46 MOLA 100(112)kg
#100 KUNIMITSU 46kg
The advantage of our straight speed has been lost in Fuji round in May.
We cannot show the good result this season.
However, the staff of TRD is tackling machine development every day.
What should be observed is that there is little success ballast of #8, #32, #35, and #38.
Wakisaka(#35) and Tachikawa(#38) are Fuji meisters.
Dunlop(#32)'s character matches the road surface of Fuji.
Therefore, these 4 teams are a top favorite.
Nissan teams have heavy success ballast. However, NISMO will be a higher position if a race gets confused.
It is interesting in what kind of result Weider(#1) and MOLA(#46) achieve.
Our(=Tom's) success ballast is 56kg. Honestly, it will become a very hard race for us.
However, we are doing our best. In the Motegi test, we were able to show speed. Lotterer and Nakajima will lead a machine to a top checker.
http://gazoo.com/G-BLOG/GazooRacing1...3/Article.aspx

[Japanese Samurai]

*AUTOSPORT's article about future of SGT
Manufacturers came to involve and JGTC(SGT) changed. Manufacturers think that they should not become the leading role in the series. However, fans think that SGT is a manufacturer's competition now.
There are other problems.
There are no base cars suitable for the race not much. Therefore, establishment of new technical regulations may be postponed until after 2013.
HSV-010 was accepted as race vehicles. It is a reason that it becomes impossible to continue SGT if Honda withdraws.
This is a special case unique to a domestic race. If it were international regulations, there is no telling whether such a special case is accepted.
Therefore, there is an opinion that regulation unification with DTM will probably be difficult.
SGT is sustainable because there is three manufacturers' fund. However, this is not a healthy management for SGT. GTA has to make SGT successful as a buisiness.
Masahiro Hasemi(Team owner of Hasemi motorsport)'s comment is interesting.
He says, It is no problem if a manufacturer were to sell GT500 machine to us. Then, we can sell the machine used two seasons at half the price. If so, we privateer can manage finances. We cannot manage finances with the present "leasing" contract.

[TF110]

I figured the DTM linkup would be troublesome with Honda. The HSV is not in production but DTM cars are, it'd be unfair somewhat to them. Acura has no coupe either, so they can't turn to their premium brand. The only coupe is the Accord, but it is FWD. No problem for GT300 it seems though, but GT500 machine it seems not plausible.

[DistortedSmile]

Originally Posted by TF110

I figured the DTM linkup would be troublesome with Honda. The HSV is not in production but DTM cars are, it'd be unfair somewhat to them. Acura has no coupe either, so they can't turn to their premium brand. The only coupe is the Accord, but it is FWD. No problem for GT300 it seems though, but GT500 machine it seems not plausible.

Why would it be unfair? Neither GT500 nor DTM cars have any relation to their road car counterparts, so it's not like a homologation special would give Honda any advantage when everyone is already running purpose built machinery, I'd also hate for the HSV to be replaced with an Accord.

IIRC the HSV was aesthetically based on the cancelled NSX replacement, they could always revive that car and produce it in low numbers as I believe it was production ready when the project was cancelled. It would be good for Honda's image, considering how boring their current road cars are.

[TF110]

DTM use coupes that are actually produced. No matter how much they have in common with the road cars, they're actually based on road cars. The HSV is no road car. They COULD pick up the NSX replacement program but according to Honda/Acura, they're not going to. Although they are experimenting with a new sports car, that's the most I've heard. They were asked about the 'Acura' in the filming of the new Avengers movie, 'Tony Stark' is driving what looks to be an Acura sports car. But that's just a movie special.

[Japanese Samurai]

AUTOSPORT's report on "2012 problem" of GT300

GT300 entrants suspect the GT3 policy of GTA.
GTA says that it respects GT3 next year.
However, if new JAF-GT300 car appears after 2012, what will happen?
For this reason, Entrants say that they cannot buy new GT3 car.

*Thunder Asia
It is undecided whether they participate by MT900M or GT3 car in 2012.
(MT900M is a JAF-GT300 prototype.)
It is dependent on the contents of performance adjustment. However, They like JAF-GT. Because this "prototype" machine cannot be seen in other categories.
And if they would like to race by GT3, they should have participated in the European race.
If the JAF-GT300 policy after 2012 is decided by GTA, they may develop a new JAF-GT car.

*JLOC
They think that Gallardo GT3 is not competitive.
They want to race by Aventador. They asked to manufacture GT3 spec(!) Aventador to Lambo. However, it is unlikely to be realized.