2016 Japanese Super GT

[Japanese Samurai]

GSR SLS GT3 is in Sepang now.
They seem to participate in the tire test at Sepang.
https://twitter.com/tomomi_takezawa/...77668704374784

[J Jay]

Good to see that they have adequately protected the most important part of the car.

[hvr777]

Originally Posted by Japanese Samurai

GSR SLS GT3 is in Sepang now.
They seem to participate in the tire test at Sepang.
https://twitter.com/tomomi_takezawa/...77668704374784

Originally Posted by J Jay

Good to see that they have adequately protected the most important part of the car.

+1. I see what you mean lol xD

[Baliwa]

Originally Posted by J Jay

Good to see that they have adequately protected the most important part of the car.

Well Miku is quite important lol just hoping artwork will like Saitom (2013) or Oguchi (2014) since I like the livery so much last year livery quite bit off for me.

[Artur]

Originally Posted by TF110

I wonder how fast say, the new Ford GT(E/LM) would be if it was 1100kg and had 'Super GT' tires? It'll be interesting to see what the lap times and top speed will be at Fuji for the WEC GTE cars. I figure in qualifying they should be knocking on the door of 1:36's. That's still a big difference between them and GT500 and not much faster than gt300.

With 1100kg alone(an over 200kg reduction), I reckon you would see a way bigger improvement than just over 1s(they already did 38.1, last year).

I looked into SuperGT 2 Fuji events of 2015_and, yeah, I know different days have an impact on laptimes too(due to weather and stuff)_ to have an idea of how much time is added per kilo(I also know it doesn't work linearly but the linear extrapolation will give an idea)

First let's look into the cars which had 0 WH on both events(just 2, actually) and compare their laptimes to have an idea on how much the different days impacted the laptimes:
_Yohohama #24 Nissan did a best of 1.28.6 on R2 QLF(Q2), while the same car did a best of 1.28.9 on R4 QLF(Q1, Q2 was oddly slower)
_Honda #64 did a best of 1.29.3 on R2 QLF(Q1) and 1.29.6 on R4 QLF(Q1)

So, both cars were exactly 3 tenths slower on R4 than on R2. That's what I would call a good parameter, wouldn't you?

_The best ever GT500 las of Fuji was done on R2 Q2 by #1 Nissan and it was 1.27.5(no WH). While the same car, with 52kg of WH, did 1.29.3 on R4's Q1(did not advance to Q2)

_#12 Nissan had 8kg during the R2 QLF and did a best of 1.27.8 while, on R4, it had 54kg and did a best of 1.29.2

So, correcting the 3 tenths day difference, the #1 was 1.5s slower with just extra 52kg and the #12 was 1.1s slower with extra 46kg

Conclusion, LMGTs would be massively faster simply by being 215kg lighter, way more than just 1s(I would guess at least 4s).

Also, by being a lot lighter, softer tires could be used for the same longevity, so even faster lap times would be achieved combining the tire update.

So, with your conditions, I would say 1.33 or 1.32 for LMGTs. How much power does the LMGTs have, 500? A 140HP deficit would make up for some seconds in a huge straight like Fuji's and given how GT500 have more underbody aero, the LMGT cars would compare quite decently on a HP/kg/tire parity, methinks

[TF110]

I meant that I think (conditions permitting) the new GTE's should be knocking on the 1:36 barrier this year. I expect them to at least be in the 1:37's in qualifying at Fuji WEC with the new rules.

[Japanese Samurai]

According to NOB Taniguchi blog,
Sepang tire test schedule: Jan 25, 26./ Jan 28, 29. Total 4days test.
http://ameblo.jp/nob-taniguchi/entry-12121285221.html

[Artur]

Originally Posted by TF110

I meant that I think (conditions permitting) the new GTE's should be knocking on the 1:36 barrier this year. I expect them to at least be in the 1:37's in qualifying at Fuji WEC with the new rules.

Ah ok

Why SGT tests at Sepang, is it due to the weather? I wish they still raced there too.... Anyway, will the laptimes be available somewhere? It would be very interesting to know them

[Japanese Samurai]

Sepang test participation team:
Lexus: #36, #38, #19
Nissan: #230, #12, #24
Honda: #100, #64, #99 (Tsutomu Tojo says that there is a interesting rumor about Honda. No hybrid?)
GT300: GSR GT3 (Time: 2:03.1)
http://gazoo.com/my/sites/0001452434...t.aspx?ID=3517

[MagVanisher]

@Artur
I would like to see Super GT return to race in Sepang instead of going to Buriram.

Then again, it won't happen soon...

[TF110]

Originally Posted by Japanese Samurai

Sepang test participation team:
Lexus: #36, #38, #19
Nissan: #230, #12, #24
Honda: #100, #64, #99 (Tsutomu Tojo says that there is a interesting rumor about Honda. No hybrid?)
GT300: GSR GT3 (Time: 2:03.1)
http://gazoo.com/my/sites/0001452434...t.aspx?ID=3517

Still 3 seconds faster than AsLMS GT3 cars. That's incredible.

[Japanese Samurai]

According to Daisuke Ito blog,
at least, Kazuki Nakajima, Ryo Hirakawa, Ito, Rossiter is at Sepang.
http://www.diamondblog.jp/official/d...9D%E6%97%A5-2/

[TF110]

I wonder, is Nakajima testing or there as a team spectator?

[Japanese Samurai]

According to Web Car Top,
there is a rumor that Wakisaka leaves from Team Bandoh (#19).
Actually, he doesn't participate in the Sepang test.
So He will transfer to BS team.
https://www.webcartop.jp/2016/01/31586/2

[hvr777]

Originally Posted by Japanese Samurai

According to Web Car Top,
there is a rumor that Wakisaka leaves from Team Bandoh (#19).
Actually, he doesn't participate in the Sepang test.
So He will transfer to BS team.
https://www.webcartop.jp/2016/01/31586/2

And with recent news about Caldarelli's campaign at GP2 this season, looks like Wakisaka has a chance to join TOM'S again while a Toyota GT300 driver can fill the #19 seat.

[Japanese Samurai]

Tsutomu Tojo Sepang test report
*Kazuki Nakajima drove the car. He checked the machine, and completed the test menu. It was the test which is just in case so that he can return to SGT anytime.
*Michelin dominated in hot temperature.
http://gazoo.com/my/sites/0001452434...t.aspx?ID=3518

[TF110]

Is he saying the Bridgestone's are 'domestic' tires as in suited to a cooler temperature at the Japanese circuits?

[Japanese Samurai]

Originally Posted by TF110

Is he saying the Bridgestone's are 'domestic' tires as in suited to a cooler temperature at the Japanese circuits?

No, it's because Sepang test is a test for summer tire development.

[Japanese Samurai]

According to Daisuke Ito blog,
Sekiguchi and Kunimoto are participating Sepang test.
http://www.diamondblog.jp/official/d...A5%E7%9B%AE-2/

[AkioAsakura95]

It seem that ARTA or Autobacs has the relationship with BMW or Team Studie (#7) , but I am not sure about the relationship of them.

@Japanese Samurai
Can you tell me what is the relationship with ARTA or Autobacs and BMW or Team Studie (#7) ????
(I just share the thought to you only, not urging you)


Source: Tokyo Auto Salon 2016
http://motorshow.carview.yahoo.co.jp.../3255/#wrapper

[Japanese Samurai]

I don't know.
But Studie Nagoya branch locates in the Super Autobacs Nagoya Bay shop.
http://www.ab-aichi.co.jp/floormap/index.html

[hvr777]

At February 12nd, 2016, Honda will make press conference for its 2016 motorsports plans. (Ustream included)

http://as-web.jp/news/info.php?c_id=2&no=70774

[kurski]

Heikki Kovalainen stays Super GT this season, the news was released YLE2 Motorsport program.

[Japanese Samurai]

According to Autosport web,
Kamui Kobayashi had participated in the January Sepang SGT test.
http://as-web.jp/news/info.php?c_id=2&no=70846

[hvr777]

Toyota has published its Super GT lineup.
Juichi Wakisaka retired from Super GT.
#6 Team LeMans switched to Wako's from Eneos for the sponsorship.
GT500 debut for Nick Cassidy (#36 TOM'S).

http://newsroom.toyota.co.jp/en/detail/11057630/