2012 Japanese Super GT

[I Rosputnik]

Just read this months Racecar Engineering and there was an interesting interview with Minoru Hayashi of Dome fame about the current state of motor racing in Japan.

Hayashi mentions it were not for the major manufacturers (or the empire as it's referred in here) Japanese motorsports would die off, but their attention seems to be towards either F1 or Lemans. I guess drifting and other grassroots sports will always have some form of following it seems to be rather worrying that Japan is becoming less interested in motorsports altogether. On the flipside, the rest of Asia is taking more notice of series like Super GT.

On that note then I think it's safe to say there's no chance of the JTCC coming back next year.

[MagVanisher]

Originally Posted by hondafan37

http://www.endurance-info.com/versio...nce-11998.html

This is a very good news!!!
Will there be GT 500 at Le Mans in the future?

I doubt that will ever happen... What's next after GT500 cars: DTM cars or stockcars? If that happen, ACO should create a Silhouette Car class for them to race at Le Mans.

And besides, it only applies to Asian Le Mans. But if it does, will it open a door for a DP car at American Le Mans?

[Victor_RO]

Originally Posted by MagVanisher

But if it does, will it open a door for a DP car at American Le Mans?

I don't know if the situation has changed, but I suspect it hasn't: apparently a few years ago DP cars were not allowed by NASCAR to race in anything apart from a NASCAR/Grand-Am-sanctioned event, under threat of lawsuit.

[Japanese Samurai]

I've check out the Racecar Engineering magazine (by Sample edition ).
The article about the Mother chassis of JAF-GT300 is very excellent.
It is a report superior to the report of all Japanese media!

[Matador]

Originally Posted by alexkiller8

the lfa GT500 had to debut since 2010... in my opinion TRD will keep on using the SC430 until new regulamentations will be introduced.

Don't often agree with you, but you are quite correct in this case.

Originally Posted by The IC

Maybe...it took Honda 4 years to replace the NSX though...

Rumors of Lexus producing the LF-LC in the next 2 to 3 years are popping up now too...that'd be a good replacement aswell if it happens...

Yup. The Supra went on for 4 years after production ended in Japan. The LF-LC (for all intent and purpose the next SC) is likely what will replace the GT500 SC430. Hybrid even maybe?

Are there provisions for Hybrid power in GT500 yet? We have two GT300 hybrids now.

[Pandamasque]

Originally Posted by alexkiller8

you need to see beyond your nose!

You need to stop posting. I'm sure I'm not the only one annoyed by the avalanche of daft rudeness streaming out of your PC.

[alexkiller8]

Originally Posted by Pandamasque

You need to stop posting. I'm sure I'm not the only one annoyed by the avalanche of daft rudeness streaming out of your PC.

"You need to stop posting"
primitting that that sentence wasn't even refered to you, i guess that the post of yours is the most constructive of the year...
before rant as a child, did you at least have read the explaination that i wrote about the sc430?

btw, no surprise of your attitude, watching the flag, i see that you come from a country that when people don't kill stray dogs to appear more civilized to the eyes of EU, people are under a government that currently in 2012 still uses a heavy political censorship on media and freedom of infromation/opinion/thought etc..., but if there you use to do like this, it doesn't mean that is everywhere like that none will care about your "you need to bla bla bla". I won't report your post to moderators, while if you want post the mine, as you whis, i just said the truth.

[TF110]

The whole talk was for 2014. You think they'll use the SC430 again for 2014? Your whole argument is pointless because that's when new regulations are suppose to take effect! The LF-LC is designed here in the U.S. by a design firm known for extravagant one-off vehicles. It wasn't some Toyota Japan project slotted for official production. Look beyond your nose and do some research on these things, and pay attention to the original story that Japanese Samurai posted from best car.

[The IC]

Originally Posted by TF110

The LF-LC is designed here in the U.S. by a design firm known for extravagant one-off vehicles

The LF-LC was designed by Toyota's Calty Design Research center, its the same place that designed the exterior for the 1991 SC400/Toyota Soarer :/

[MitchZ06]

http://www.autoblog.com/photos/lexus...#photo-5156999

New SC400 replacement?

[I Rosputnik]

Originally Posted by Japanese Samurai

I've check out the Racecar Engineering magazine (by Sample edition ).
The article about the Mother chassis of JAF-GT300 is very excellent.
It is a report superior to the report of all Japanese media!

It's an interesting idea for teams with a low budget and the fact that it's not mandatory is great so you still get a mix of GT3's and oddball cars. Can we have something like this in Europe?

[Japanese Samurai]

Originally Posted by I Rosputnik

It's an interesting idea for teams with a low budget and the fact that it's not mandatory is great so you still get a mix of GT3's and oddball cars. Can we have something like this in Europe?

The problem is that Dome monopolizes manufacture of the Mother chassis.
JAF-GT300 may be a global standard if manufacture of the Mother chassis is accepted freely.

TRD Supercar Thailand spec GT-86
V8 engine?
http://p.twpl.jp/show/orig/KydPK

[Monkey Head]

Originally Posted by Japanese Samurai

The problem is that Dome monopolizes manufacture of the Mother chassis.
JAF-GT300 may be a global standard if manufacture of the Mother chassis is accepted freely.

TRD Supercar Thailand spec GT-86
V8 engine?
http://p.twpl.jp/show/orig/KydPK

Yes it is

https://fbcdn-sphotos-a.akamaihd.net...67127337_n.jpg

[tbz]

according to a regional newspaper, Tim Bergmeister got an offer for an ride in the 1000km race of Suzuka, but he didn't sign. Does anyone know which team?

[alexkiller8]

maybe as third driver of hankook porsche

[TF110]

@IC, they are known for their concept cars, it's still a far cry from Toyota Japan or TRD's involvement in SGT, regardless if they're a part of Lexus. The future is to be seen, so we have to wait to see what replaces the SC430.

[Japanese Samurai]

Big news from Germany!

"Japanese DTM" coming in 2014
http://www.motorsport-total.com/dtm/..._12071901.html

[Asa]

Originally Posted by Japanese Samurai

Big news from Germany!

"Japanese DTM" coming in 2014
http://www.motorsport-total.com/dtm/..._12071901.html

This is surprising, everything moved so quickly and so suddenly. So what are the DTM rules for 2014? 4 litre V8 engines? Who is making the chassis?

[hondafan37]

Originally Posted by Japanese Samurai

Big news from Germany!

"Japanese DTM" coming in 2014
http://www.motorsport-total.com/dtm/..._12071901.html

Very good news!!!!!
What will happen with Honda? Do they will use the new NSX with a balance of performance?

[MagVanisher]

Originally Posted by Japanese Samurai

Big news from Germany!

"Japanese DTM" coming in 2014
http://www.motorsport-total.com/dtm/..._12071901.html

Wait, don't tell me that both DTM and Super GT have agreed to create a unified rules?

[Salamus]

Originally Posted by MagVanisher

Wait, don't tell me that both DTM and Super GT have agreed to create a unified rules?

I think so!

[Articus]

Wow! I didnt see this coming. The tension just disapeared!
This makes a 2013 LFA pointless but 2014 LFA now makes all the sense in the world.

[banzailap]

Originally Posted by Asa

This is surprising, everything moved so quickly and so suddenly. So what are the DTM rules for 2014? 4 litre V8 engines? Who is making the chassis?

I think the keyword buried in there is "Balance of Performance", employed for Honda which gets a "cooling off" period of 3 years, which is pretty long, to run whatever car they want (the new NSX, as they said before that they want to). Japanese Super GT is the ultimate Balance of Performance series.

In light of this, this new "Japanese Super GT will run under DTM rules in 2014" story looks to me like a classic case of "Honne / Tatemae". Whatever they say, ITR most probably finally relented and relaxed their stance about doing everything the German way, and accepted to leave Super GT in Japan (relatively) alone as long as the cars designed to run in both championships will abide to the ITR rules. This was all the Japanese side asked from the beginning so it breaks the deadlock. According to the article it was a big push from Nissan to be able to finally run in DTM without having to develop two different cars, which makes sense and is beneficial to everyone.

Now as we have seen before the devil is in the details, so we will have to wait and see if this does not break down again over the implementation.

[Articus]

What will Honda do? The NSX is not going to get a front engine anytime soon. Otherwise it could possible lose its appeal in the consumer market let alone lose its heritage as a mid-engined giant killer.

[Articus]

Its also alot more attractive for an American DTM series now that six Major(understatement) manufacturers have cars that can be run by good privateers like Chip Ganassi or Roger Penske.