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F-Nippon / Super GT News
Super GT 2008 Gets Under Way
22/03/2008
After an approximate three month break, the Suzuka circuit opened its gates to host the first round of the 2008 Autobacs Super GT season on Saturday 15th and Sunday 16th March. A total of 32,000 fans turned out to watch the 38 car race and witness the #23 Xanavi Nismo GT-R of Satoshi Motoyama and Benoit Treluyer storm to victory.
Nissan’s new GT-R made its debut in the GT500 class and dominated the qualifying session. The new GT-Rs monopolized the top three spots on the grid with Michael Krumm/Masataka Yanagida taking pole, Motoyama/Treluyer qualifying second and Tsugio Matsuda/Sebastian Philippe qualifying third. The Lexus SC430 of Juichi Wakisaka/Andre Lotterer squeezed into the fourth spot. The top six qualifiers at the season opener were all fitted with Bridgestone Potenza tyres.
The atmosphere in the circuit was electric as the race began with the two front row Nissan GT-Rs making a clean start. Unfortunately the #12 Calsonic GT-R team was not so lucky and spun out at the exit of the second corner, ending the team’s race. It looked as if the Lexus SC430, driven by Lotterer, had made contact with the team but the German driver was found not guilty by the race steward.
Motul Autech and Xanavi Nismo continued to dominate the race, ahead of the Petronas Tom's SC430 in third place. By the middle of the 52 lap race both leading Nissans pitted for tyres and changed drivers. Treluyer pitted and handed the wheel to Motoyama one lap before the race leaders. Motoyama passed Yanagida at the hairpin corner, leading to a change in the race order. The two GT-Rs crossed the line with only a 0.854 second gap between them, 25 seconds later the Petronas Tom's SC430 crossed the finishing line taking third place.
Satoshi Motoyama, Xanavi Nismo GT-R, said: “I am really happy about this win. With the debut of the GT-R there were not only Japanese fans interested in this race but also worldwide interest so I am relaxed now. Our tactics were fine and it was the right timing to pit. I would like to thank everyone for their help, especially Bridgestone.”
Benoit Treluyre, Xanavi Nisimo GT-R, said: “Satoshi had a fantastic drive on the out lap from the pit. We unfortunately did not get pole in qualifying but now we are happy. The tyres were fantastic, thanks to Bridgestone.”
Bridgestone’s tyre engineer, Yoshihiro Hosoya, said: “It was an overwhelming performance by the GT-R and Bridgestone is proud to support its debut win. We look forward to some strong competition this season. The Lexus SC430 finished third and had a good race thanks to their winter testing.”
The second round of the Super GT Championship will take place on Saturday 12th and Sunday 13th April at the Okayama International Circuit.
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