2012 Japanese Super GT

[TF110]

A bigger calendar would be great, with less time between the races as well.

[Japanese Samurai]

Super GT tire manufacturers joint test Day 1 @Autopolis
http://as-web.jp/news/info.php?c_id=2&no=43023

Particitpation team
*GT500
#1 MOLA, #12 IMPUL, #24 Kondo
#19 Bandoh, #38 Cerumo, #39 SARD
#100 Kunimitsu
*GT300
#2 Mooncraft, #5 MACH, #43 ARTA

[TF110]

Michelin teams looking better in the wet so far.

[Japanese Samurai]

According to Hideshi Matsuda's Facebook page,
Gallardo RG-3 of team JLOC (#86) was complete destruction by fire of the garage.

[Japanese Samurai]

Autosport web reports the interview to Masaaki Bandoh (GTA) about the regulation unification of SGT and DTM.

*GT500 vehicles will use the same monocoque as DTM vehicles from 2014.
*However, in order to protect Japanese motorsports industry, unification monocoque are manufactured in Japan and Germany.
*Most parts (ex. floor, rear wing) are unified. Outer-size of body are unified, too.
*Engine difference (of SGT and DTM) is adjusted by BoP.
*If unification monocoque is used, participation by MR (next-gen NSX) will be accepted to Honda. BoP is performed with other vehicles.
http://as-web.jp/news/info.php?c_id=2&no=43229

[MagVanisher]

Originally Posted by Japanese Samurai

Autosport web reports the interview to Masaaki Bandoh (GTA) about the regulation unification of SGT and DTM.

*GT500 vehicles will use the same monocoque as DTM vehicles from 2014.
*However, in order to protect Japanese motorsports industry, unification monocoque are manufactured in Japan and Germany.
*Most parts (ex. floor, rear wing) are unified. Outer-size of body are unified, too.
*Engine difference (of SGT and DTM) is adjusted by BoP.
*If unification monocoque is used, participation by MR (next-gen NSX) will be accepted to Honda. BoP is performed with other vehicles.
http://as-web.jp/news/info.php?c_id=2&no=43229

Good thing the Japanese won't have to buy those monocoques from Germany.

On the other hand, I don't think the unified SGT/DTM would compete in the USA anytime soon after 2014...

[TF110]

With the common monocoque, Bandoh hopes to draw out other manufacturers as well. Not just the Japanese and German 3. So this must be a call to American and other makes! If this is the case we may see more manufacturers be interested in GT500! I sure hope that is the case. I will miss the innovation of the GT500 machines. I hope it's not a standardized car.

[helgi]

I think they've just killed that unique champ and you'll get a DTM clone. If google translates right, new cars will have the same dimensions (I think to BoP them in aero with DTM ones). And development ban is an awful thing. I don't think there will be anything special in GT500 from 2014. Just a Japanese DTM. It's a very bad news.

[TF110]

It doesn't say they will negate development, but it won't be every race like now. I thought the current cars have the same dimensions anyway? I'm sure they do. Maybe they differ in wheelbase but they will hopefully retain their shape.

[trickyd]

This link would seem to me to be a large and unecassary negative for the Japanese Series. Currently they have their native car makers nearly all involved, a fan base and exciting cars. Why did they need to change? SuperGT cars look nice, like proper racing cars. DTM cars are staggeringly ugly, out of proporion saloons that look too much like Jim Bamber cartoons to be taken seriously. DTM is too weighted in the favour of what the manufacturers want it would appear, they want a big spectacular race car, that looks like something your Gran could drive and it ends up looking stupid.

[Articus]

Originally Posted by trickyd

This link would seem to me to be a large and unecassary negative for the Japanese Series. Currently they have their native car makers nearly all involved, a fan base and exciting cars. Why did they need to change? SuperGT cars look nice, like proper racing cars. DTM cars are staggeringly ugly, out of proporion saloons that look too much like Jim Bamber cartoons to be taken seriously. DTM is too weighted in the favour of what the manufacturers want it would appear, they want a big spectacular race car, that looks like something your Gran could drive and it ends up looking stupid.

Although i agree that Super GT cars look gorgeous what in the world is ugly about this?

I know that everyone can have different taste but I don't think this one is debatable. What DTM cars are ugly? The previous gen may have been a slightly unfavorable but the new spec has come leaps and bounds. Wider cars, bigger tires.

[lms]

my only fear is that those good looking gt-rs will probably disappear I would miss those cars. At least there will be a new nsx

[MagVanisher]

Originally Posted by lms

my only fear is that those good looking gt-rs will probably disappear I would miss those cars. At least there will be a new nsx

If something is ugly, why don't they beautify those DTM cars for a bit. Simple as that!

Now if only they could allow some aerodynamics development in the future...

[Asa]

I think it is too early to judge if the new cars will be beautiful or ugly. We haven't seen one yet and I don't think the Japanese manufacturers will accept the new regs if that makes their cars ugly. They have more to lose than anyone else. Who is going to buy an ugly car?

[Japanese Samurai]

Autosport magazine's Super GT report

*About the tire bursts of BS in the Suzuka round
All the tires that burst were tires of the same structure. These were the tires for high-temperature ranges. Then, these tire are not used in the Fuji round.
*One of the reasons of HSV-010 out of condition is the badness of the sensitiveness to the ballast.
*The reason in which Ralph Firman is out of condition this season.
Firman likes an extremely understeering set-up. Kobayashi and the team cannot work through this.
*NISMO maintains the vehicles of team MOLA (#1) except a race week.

[Japanese Samurai]

SUBARU EJ20 Boxer turbo engine detail
http://www.subaru-msm.com/2012race/sgt/engine.html

[TF110]

That's a thing of beauty. I always loved these Subaru boxers.

[trickyd]

Originally Posted by Articus

Although i agree that Super GT cars look gorgeous what in the world is ugly about this?

I know that everyone can have different taste but I don't think this one is debatable. What DTM cars are ugly? The previous gen may have been a slightly unfavorable but the new spec has come leaps and bounds. Wider cars, bigger tires.

That is exactly what I am on about, the wider wheel arches look utterly ridiculous, and the size of the wheels in general. You can't try and fit massive race car tyres/wheels, huge brakes and the required cooling onto the body work of a normal car. Too me it looks terrible. A normal BMW M3 looks nice, the wheels and arches etc are in proportion. To be fair the BMW is the best of a plug ugly bunch, the Mercedes and Audi's are hideous Frankenstein cars. I think the general principle can work, like the SuperGT's, and the 70's Group 5 cars, but they just don't.

[rich07]

Originally Posted by Japanese Samurai

Autosport web reports the interview to Masaaki Bandoh (GTA) about the regulation unification of SGT and DTM.

*GT500 vehicles will use the same monocoque as DTM vehicles from 2014.
*However, in order to protect Japanese motorsports industry, unification monocoque are manufactured in Japan and Germany.
*Most parts (ex. floor, rear wing) are unified. Outer-size of body are unified, too.
*Engine difference (of SGT and DTM) is adjusted by BoP.
*If unification monocoque is used, participation by MR (next-gen NSX) will be accepted to Honda. BoP is performed with other vehicles.
http://as-web.jp/news/info.php?c_id=2&no=43229

I'm gonna miss the individuality and innovation that is SGT GT500. Not a fan of this unified parts garbage. I've said it before and I'll say it again-if the Germans want to race in SGT then build a SGT car and if the Japanese want to race in DTM then they build a DTM car. The two series can stand on their own feet without each other-this merger is stupid and unecessary.

[Japanese Samurai]

Fuji round Friday photos
http://as-web.jp/photonews/keyword_r...?c_id=2&no=119

*Weider HSV (#18) introduces Fuji spec aero fender mirror.
Yes, this is Super GT!

[rich07]

Originally Posted by Japanese Samurai

Fuji round Friday photos
http://as-web.jp/photonews/keyword_r...?c_id=2&no=119

*Weider HSV (#18) introduces Fuji spec aero fender mirror.
Yes, this is Super GT!

This is why I love SGT! I love the unique aero bits from each of the manufacturers for their cars throughout the season. Wonderful!

Thanks Japanese Samurai

[MagVanisher]

Originally Posted by Japanese Samurai

Fuji round Friday photos
http://as-web.jp/photonews/keyword_r...?c_id=2&no=119

*Weider HSV (#18) introduces Fuji spec aero fender mirror.
Yes, this is Super GT!

I guess we'll miss those aero updates...

[Articus]

I love Super GT but whats the point off all the innovation etc when the cars just get slapped with success ballast. And suddenly the HSV is ineffective. What the point of developing your car to run with 75kg more ballast. Then knowing that if you do good you'll only get pegged back with even more ballast. Sucess ballast is an even more blatant form of BOP. Now you have teams that could just resign for a race to get all the ballast removed. That's not racing.

[RubberFreak]

Articus, honestly nobody resigns for a race to get lighter for the coming race simply because it is racing. You never know how the next race will go. Engine troubles, weather etc. or tire problems like BS encountered in Suzuka. You take points when you can.

Getting heavier with points is just great because the championship is open until the end almost every year. Really exciting !

I am looking forward to this WE Fuji RD6.

[TF110]

Articus you don't make much sense. You resign for a race to get NO points but take ballast off? It's better to run in 5th position and get minimal ballast but score good points while your competitors score more but get more ballast. It's a system that works, the HSV's will lose their ballast when they score less. If it hampers them, that's doing it's job.