2012 Japanese Super GT

[Japanese Samurai]

http://live.nicovideo.jp/watch/ch27?ref=top

[tbz]

thanks *thumbs up*

holy sh**.. so much colors and the manga style makes me confuse as well

[BBSB]

Originally Posted by TF110

They don't 'have to' build the HSV. But if they're going to unite with DTM, what do you suggest they use? The CRZ? That's why the joke was made by me saying they'll race the Accord Coupe! I wonder if DTM/SGT merger will allow them to have a special prototype vehicle that didn't make production? But the SC430 from Lexus is no longer made either. I expect new cars in a year. LFA possibly for Lexus and who knows if Honda continue with the HSV.

I was thinking only with SGT in mind. Since we don't know what's going on regarding SGT/DTM merger including regs I prefer not speculate on that. But don't you find it a bit strange that Honda is allowed by JAF to race with the HSV (i.e. a car that never saw production) for the 3rd year in a row now, and no production model in sight?
That said, I hope Honda is forced to build a road version of the HSV. Maybe even a car based on it.

[aneesh99]

Originally Posted by Articus

Honda will probalby use the NSX if they wanted to race in the merged series. They would simply put the engine in front like the HSV. Its not something that has not been done before. In GT300 the Corolla is mid-engined mysteriously while road going is a tame front engined front wheel drive.

I'm sure Japanese Samurai can clear this up, what precisely are the regs on engine placement in GT500? I was under the impression they could use whatever engine they wanted from their manufacturer, change it's alingment etc but that it had to retain it's original position in the car? And especially if they're uniting regs with DTM, there are no mid-engined DTM cars.

Now considering the new NSX is mid-engined, that might be a problem...

Rear wheel drive conversions are permitted in GT300, I'm not sure what the deal is with mid-engined cars, though the Axio has now also been retired, maybe the Prius will be front engined?

Edit: I found out the rationale behind the HSV being allowed to race, in GT500, the JAF permit the use of 'production ready' cars, even if they never see production

Edit 2: Looks like front engined GT300 cars are allowed not only to convert to rear wheel drive but also move the engine...

[TF110]

I wonder if SGT aligns with DTM, what will become of GT300 class? And I am wondering the results of the test in Sepang. Any info on that Samurai-san?

[tbz]

Originally Posted by TF110

I wonder if SGT aligns with DTM, what will become of GT300 class? And I am wondering the results of the test in Sepang. Any info on that Samurai-san?

They're some great infos yet, but its very hard to translate, so we need to wait for Master JS.

[TF110]

Try Microsoft translate? But Samurai is better, at least he's clear about it. Some online translations are incoherent.

[ss_collins]

Motorsport rumors saying, it could be an unified monocoque for SGT 2014 too?

Nope Japanese makes will continue to make their own, albeit possibly to the same dimensions

I wonder if SGT aligns with DTM, what will become of GT300 class? And I am wondering the results of the test in Sepang. Any info on that Samurai-san?

if anything GT300 will become the main class

[TF110]

So GT300 takes over SuperGT then, and GT500 just merges with DTM leaving SGT as is but without their GT500 machines?

[Japanese Samurai]

SGT Sepang test Day1 report by Autosport web
*Team LeMans (#6) was absent. Team KONDO (#24) are scheduled to participate from Day2.
*Lexus
-Hiroaki Ishiura and Juichi Wakisaka drove SARD's car (#39).
-Yuji Tachikawa, Daisuke Ito, Kohei Hirate and Yuji Kunimoto drove Cerumo's car (#38).
-SC430 is updated to 2012 specs.
*Honda
-Takashi Kogure and Carlo van Dam drove Dome's car (#18).
-Takuya Izawa and Naoki Yamamoto drove Kunimitsu's car (#100).
*Nissan
-Satoshi Motoyama/Michael Krumm and J-P Oliveira/Tsugio Matsuda drove Nissan's car (#230).
-Kazuki Hoshino drove Nissan GTR GT3. Katsumasa Chiyo and Yuhi Sekiguchi will drive this car.
*Top time of Day1 is #230.
*As for the 2012 regulation of GT500, restrictor is expanded by 2 ranks.

Photos
http://as-web.jp/photo/pnews/201201/25599/01.jpg
http://as-web.jp/photo/pnews/201201/25600/01.jpg
http://as-web.jp/photo/pnews/201201/25601/01.jpg
http://as-web.jp/photo/pnews/201201/25602/01.jpg
http://as-web.jp/photo/pnews/201201/25603/01.jpg

[TF110]

So just the restrictor expansion? No other changes in aerodynamics Samurai?

[aneesh99]

Originally Posted by Japanese Samurai

*As for the 2012 regulation of GT500, restrictor is expanded by 2 ranks.

How much of an expansion is that in terms on inches or cm? I'm not really sure what it means by 'ranks'

[ss_collins]

How much of an expansion is that in terms on inches or cm? I'm not really sure what it means by 'ranks'

It means steps - a few MM a fair few more BHP. Hopefully I'll get the latest GT500 tech regs in the morning.

[DeathOrGlory]

With Ishiura being tapped for Toyota Racing and Iguchi going to an ita-sha, who'll drive for DENSO SARD now?

[TF110]

So 2mm for each step or rank, or larger? How much HP do you think it'll increase by?

[tbz]

Originally Posted by Japanese Samurai

Team A-Speed (#66) announced 2012 driver/car.
*Driver: Kazuki Hoshino, Hiroki Yoshimoto.
*Car: Vantege GT2 (They change into Vantage GT3 in the middle of the season!)
http://ameblo.jp/a-speed/entry-11140804953.html

they're some pictures of the preparation of the Vantages

[TF110]

I love those Aston Martins! Sure hope it's competitive.

[Japanese Samurai]

Hiroaki Ishiura commentted that the straight speed of 2012 GT300 is almost the same as 2012 GT500 from Sepang.
http://ameblo.jp/ishiura/entry-11145254091.html

[TF110]

Wow, their lap times won't be far off from GT500 of last year. 5-7 seconds I'd say. GT500 better get some needed power. Maybe call it GT600?

[tbz]

Originally Posted by Japanese Samurai

Hiroaki Ishiura commentted that the straight speed of 2012 GT300 is almost the same as 2012 GT500 from Sepang.
http://ameblo.jp/ishiura/entry-11145254091.html

are you sure?

you dont think ... is almost the same as 2011 GT500 from Sepang ?

[Japanese Samurai]

Sorry, typo..

24/01/2012
S-GT Sepang test Day1 (unofficial time)
----------------AM--------PM---
#230-BS-GTR----1:56.4----1:56.1
#39--MI-SC430--1:59.5----1:57.0(semi2012spec)
#38--BS-SC430--1:57.7----1:57.2(2012spec)
#100-BS-HSV----1:58.2----1:57.4
#46--MI-GTR----1:58.8----1:57.4
#18--BS-HSV----1:58.5----1:57.6
#19--YH-SC430--1:58.4----1:58.5(2011spec)
#33--HK-PorGT3-2.07.9----2:06.54
#??--YH-GTRGT3--1lap-----2:10.6
#24--YH-GTR-----DN---------DN--
http://gazoo.com/G-BLOG/GazooRacing1...2/Article.aspx

[TF110]

Doesn't seem like the 2012 spec cars are any faster? Unless the top GTR is 2012 spec also.

[Japanese Samurai]

Team A-speed unveild 2012 livery.
http://ameblo.jp/a-speed/entry-11145568266.html

Photo gallery of Vantage GT3 by team A-speed
http://www.aspeed.co.jp/gallery/gallery2012_1.html

[BBSB]

Checked the as-web site for updates on sepang testing, absolutely no coverage of the 2nd and 3rd days of the test. Bummer

Is there any other site that is covering the SGT tests where we can follow?

[tbz]

According to Motorsports channel,

Team SHIFT (#52) will make a comeback to SGT (GT300 class) by GT3 car.
SHIFT are the maintenance garages of Mercedes SLS GT3 of Team Petronas (Super Taikyu series). Therefore, they will buy their own SLS GT3.