09.07.2011
, Fuji Speedway, Oyama town, Japan
WHAT DRAMAS WILL UNFOLD AT FUJI FOR EACH OF THE FOUR GT-RS?
SUPER GT Round 6 Preview
Round 6 of SUPER GT, the FUJI GT 250km RACE takes place on September 10 and 11 at Fuji Speedway, located in Oyama town, Shizuoka prefecture. The circuit nestled at the base of the volcano is regarded as the one of the fastest in the world. However as NISMO Director Yutaka Suzuki relayed, “We’ve found a good rhythm since the last round at Suzuka, so we’re looking to carry that momentum to Fuji and beyond.” His comments set high expectations at the sharp end of the grid for the remainder of the season.
Including this upcoming round, all cars have been carrying success ballast measured at twice the number of championship points accrued so far in 2011. For example, the #23 MOTUL AUTECH GT-R, third on the title chase with 34 points, is laden with 68kgs’ ‘weight handi’ while the #12 CALSONIC IMPUL machine, fourth in the standings with 31 points, will be racing with 62kgs’ onboard. The championship-leading #46 S Road MOLA GT-R has amassed 56 points so far, and would therefore be carrying 112kgs in its floor, except that the Sporting Regulations stipulate a maximum amount of success ballast of 100kgs – thus the amount the championship leaders with carry this weekend.
Rivals to keep an eye on undoubtedly include Suzuka winners the #1 Weider HSV-010. The car’s superb performance in the post-season Sprint Cup last year, also held at Fuji, is still fresh in the memory and this rival is sure to be a potential threat to the #46 machine. Also, the Lexus entries have been showing signs of recovery recently and cannot be counted out for a strong result at their home track. Among them, the #39 DENSO SARD SC430 has performed well in the last few rounds so will clearly be a car to watch.
They will all be scrambling if the #46 S Road MOLA GT-R, running on the favoured Michelin rubber, extends its points’ gap to the rest of the field, or the 3rd- and 4th-placed cars, the #23 MOTUL AUTECH GT-R and #12 CALSONIC IMPUL GT-R respectively, narrow the gap to the leaders. Meanwhile, the #24 ADVAN KONDO GT-R has steadily been amassing points of late, and its Yokohama tyres, well suited to the characteristics of Fuji, could well see the car at the top of the timesheets.
The drama set to unfold for each of the four GT-Rs this weekend is something not to be missed!ed!