2020 Japanese Super GT

[Japanese Samurai]

https://www.as-web.jp/supergt/631283?all

Yuji Kunimoto (#19) says that Motegi is a circuit that is advantageous for Yokohama because tire wear is unlikely to occur. In contrast, Fuji has a high-load corner, which is a circuit that Yokohama is relatively weak at. However, GR Supra has the advantage of fast straight line speed, so he want to race while saving the tires.

[canaglia]

Originally Posted by Japanese Samurai

https://www.as-web.jp/supergt/631283?all

Yuji Kunimoto (#19) says that Motegi is a circuit that is advantageous for Yokohama because tire wear is unlikely to occur. In contrast, Fuji has a high-load corner, which is a circuit that Yokohama is relatively weak at. However, GR Supra has the advantage of fast straight line speed, so he want to race while saving the tires.

I've always wondered if is each single team to choose his tires supplier or if is the manufacturer that assigns them to their teams.
Bandoh team is about 10 years sticking with yokohama tires despite being dramatically far from michelin/bridgestone performances.
Do they not change because of higher costs or because they just can't?

Same about nakajima racing that is the only team using dunlop from decades with usually poor results

[Japanese Samurai]

Good question.
Generally speaking, there is an image that changing the manufacturer is not preferable in Japan.
Team Bandoh (#19) and Team Tsuchiya (#25) have a particularly close relationship with Yokohama.
And Yokohama and Dunlop pay advertising costs to the teams that use them.

[Japanese Samurai]

Hiroaki Ishiura (#38) suffered an incident in which his car was damaged due to a malfunction of parking system.
https://ameblo.jp/ishiura/entry-12629226975.html

[Japanese Samurai]

Autosport web is reporting GT300 tire wars.
https://www.as-web.jp/supergt/631424?all

Dunlop's progress
*Yosuke Fukuda (Team Gainer chief engineer) says that Dunlop tires are very evolving. It is very resistant to load fluctuations. It's not a exclusive tire for GTR.
*It has been developed based on the tires introduced from the 8th round of 2019, and the advantage of being strong against load is connected to the fact that it is fast even with ballast on it.
*Takeshi Tsuchiya (#25) also says that Dunlop used to be good on low mu circuit Motegi and in cold weather, but now it's a tire that can run fast also on high load circuits from last year.
*Minoru Sawada (#61 cheif engineer) says that Dunlop can perform well for both Motegi and Fuji. It is a tire that can cover the weak points of BRZ. The improvement in Dunlop's performance has greatly influenced the improvement in BRZ performance this year.

Yokohama's counterattack
*Takeshi Tsuchiya (#25) says that this time, the tire that will be the baseline has been completed. Yokohama's weakpoint is that it supplies too many cars. Since Yokohama has a large supply of tires, other manufacturers can prepare three types of tires, so you can choose two types from them, while Yokohama can only prepare two types. When it comes to two types, aggressive tires cannot be prepared. This is a dilemma. However, there is no doubt that Yokohama supports GT300.

Michelin's struggle
*Michelin supplies tires selected from existing tires for GT3/GTE this season. It's an effort to balance cost and performance.
However, it seems to be inferior in peak performance because it is not a GT300 exclusive tire.

[Japanese Samurai]

According to Car Watch, Mugen NSX GT (#16) has introduced 2nd fresh engine due to engine trouble. It is an engine that changes control data and improves peak power.
https://car.watch.impress.co.jp/docs/news/1280719.html

[Japanese Samurai]

According to Takuya Yura's Facebook page, he seems to have dropped out of J-sports' SGT commentary.
https://www.facebook.com/takuya.yura...15400964292107

[Japanese Samurai]

Race day press conference by GTA (Masaaki Bandoh) <Part.1>
https://www.as-web.jp/supergt/631478?all

Q. How will Honda's withdrawal from F1 affect SGT?
*In the future, I think there will be a time when motor sports must change, including the situation in this corona.
*In this situation, we would like to continue Super GT (GT500) with the current regulations until 2023.
That's why I had a meeting with 3 manufacturers yesterday.
*We are considering freezing vehicle development toward 2021 and tightening regulations on testing after the final race in 2020.
*The Sepang test in December will not be conducted.
*The Sepang test in February 2021 will be conducted, but teams participating in it may be restricted from participating in other tests.

[Japanese Samurai]

Race day press conference by GTA (Masaaki Bandoh) <Part.2>
https://supergt.net/news/single/20375

About PCR test
*Total of 1430 people underwent a PCR test.
*One of them was positive, but this person was planning to participate in SGT from the 5th round.
In other words, none of the people who participated in the previous four rounds were positive.
*However, GTA has no plans to conduct PCR tests in the future.
*FIA stipulates that PCR tests must be conducted every round for international series.
However, in Japan, the PCR test is not covered by health insurance, so the cost is high.
Therefore, I would like to request the FIA for special measures through JAF.

About relaxation measures for spectator restrictions
*Firstly, I am very pleased to welcome our fans to the circuit.
*GTA must make the event a success while preventing coronavirus infection.
I would like to consider the number of spectators in cooperation with the organizers of each event.

About GT300 success ballast system
*FIA-GT3 machine weighs approximately 1,300 kg, and JAF-GT300 weighs 1,150kg to 1,200kg.
*When the vehicle weight is heavy, the relative ratio becomes low, and the effect on a heavy vehicle is less than that on a light vehicle.
*Therefore, the coefficient of success ballast was changed from 2 times to 3 times the number of points. The effect is as we intended.
*There are some who are concerned about the safety of increasing the number of success ballasts, but I think it is safe under the current weight.

[Japanese Samurai]

Race day press conference by GTA (Masaaki Bandoh) <Part.3>
https://car.watch.impress.co.jp/docs/news/1280724.html

*In Japan, the PCR test costs about 40,000 yen.
*We received financial support from an automobile-related company in conducting the PCR test.
*It is no longer possible to hold pit walks, talk shows, race queen events, etc.
*The total number of spectators in this race is about 10,000.

[Japanese Samurai]

Ryo Hirakawa revealed #37 had a engine trouble.
https://twitter.com/ryohirakawa/stat...79144598118400

[hvr777]

Hi, I watch the race yesterday and felt bit clueless that some Toyota GT500 cars (including the winning #39 Supra) were able to improve the positions significantly after pit stop compared to Nissan and Honda. Is there any clues about their performance on the outlap or their timing for the pitstop?

[Japanese Samurai]

Nakayama's out lap time (including pit stop time) was about 10 seconds faster than that of ARTA (Nojiri).
The reasons for this are that # 39 is a softer tire with good warm-up performance than #8 and the refueling time was short.
Autosport web is reporting that compared to #39, #8 lost 14 seconds in 3 laps before and after the pit stop.
https://www.as-web.jp/supergt/631634?all

[hvr777]

Originally Posted by Japanese Samurai

Nakayama's out lap time (including pit stop time) was about 10 seconds faster than that of ARTA (Nojiri).
The reasons for this are that # 39 is a softer tire with good warm-up performance than #8 and the refueling time was short.
Autosport web is reporting that compared to #39, #8 lost 14 seconds in 3 laps before and after the pit stop.
https://www.as-web.jp/supergt/631634?all

Thank you very much. That 14 second loss seemed to be unnoticeable for me. When I watched it, it felt like a magic that #39 was suddenly on P1 after pit stops.

[Japanese Samurai]

Tokyo Auto Salon 2021 will be held on Jan.15-17, 2021.
https://car.watch.impress.co.jp/docs/news/1281352.html

[Japanese Samurai]

Super GT File magazine ver.8 features GT500 Class One plus alpha regulations and JAF-GT300/MC.
https://www.as-books.jp/books/info.php?no=ASS20201009
https://www.as-books.jp/books/preview.php?no=8247

[Japanese Samurai]

Autosport web is reporting SGT File magazine ver.8 preview.
https://www.as-web.jp/supergt/632419?all

You can see inside photos of Subaru BRZ GT300.

[Japanese Samurai]

Autosport web is reporting Masaaki Bandoh (GTA) interview regarding JAF-GT300/MC.
https://www.as-web.jp/supergt/632661?all

*The 2021 JAF technical regulations stipulate that the technical regulations for GT500, GT300, and GT300MC will be established by GTA, the series organizer.
As a result, the JAF name will disappear from the vehicle name.

Q. Does GTA want more GT300 and GT300MC?
*The FIA-GT3 remains the main vehicle of the GT300 class.
However, we have to think about what GT300 and GT300MC should be.
As promoters, we have been working with JAF to include GTA's safety regulations in GT300/MC.
The result is the 2021 JAF technical regulations.

*The current MC cannot be used in categories other than SGT.
Next-gen MC wants to be able to be used in other categories after clearing the FIA standard.
*In addition, we are considering making the MC usable also in JAF-GT, scaling it in the same way as GT500 (Class One), and aligning the wheelbase, tread, vehicle height, overhang, etc.
And, in order to compete with FIA-GT3 on an equal footing, we are considering limiting the update of JAF-GT to once a season and homologating the LDF and HDF spec aero.

Q. Many entrants want to continue the tubular frame monocoque of JAF-GT300?
*Costs can be reduced by using a common monocoque for GT300 and MC.
Carbon monocoque is also more advantageous in terms of safety.
If it is FIA standard, it will be possible to sell it.

Q. Isn't it costing a lot to establish new regulations including scaling?
*We have experience in defining MC regulations.

Q. Will the JAF-GT fuel tank change from 100 liters to 120 liters next season?
*Yes. Major revisions to other regulations will be in 2022.

Q. Will there be Grandfather regulations during the transition period?
*Of course it will. It must be regulations that create interesting competition from the fans' point of view. I would like to make it a more standard rule than MC and spread it to Southeast Asia.

Q. Will the MC engine supply stop?
*2021 is okay. But next-gen engines must be considered. I think it can be made in Japan or abroad.

Q. Since the current JAF-GT has a different engine, isn't it difficult to scale the aerodynamics?
*We are considering making the weight of JAF-GT the same as that of FIA-GT3.
If the weight of JAF-GT remains the same, it should be considered to make it a different class from FIA-GT3.

[Japanese Samurai]

Hoppy team Tschiya SGT Fuji round race report
https://www.as-web.jp/supergt/633858?all

*At midnight on Friday, the team was forced to replace the engine due to an engine malfunction.
*Takeshi Tsuchiya decided to race with a new set-up as planned this race.
*In the practice session, Takamitsu Matsui mainly proceeded with machine set-up and Kimiya Sato was in charge of the correction.
*The result was a very over-steering character set-up.
*It was a setup that Matsui was not good at, but Matsui successfully broke through Q1.
*Tsuchiya praised Matsui. In order for Matsui to survive as a professional driver, he must be able to handle even the set-up that he is not good at.
*However, the team struggled in the race.
*You can run at a good pace if you run alone, but when you get behind the car in front of you in battle, front downforce disappears.
And because the straight line speed is slow by BoP, it is overtaken by the rival car.
*However, there was not much wear on the Yokohama tires, and the left two-wheel change strategy was successful.
*The race result was 11th. Tsuchiya says it was a formula car-like race because it relied on downforce.
*In the next race, the team would like to find a good balance between mechanical grip and downforce.
*Tsuchiya says it's progress that tire development has been successful and that the team has been able to spend more time developing machine set-up.
*The communication between Ryunosuke Kino (data engineer) and the driver is also good.
*The team stayed in Fuji and did a private test on Tuesday (Team with less than 10 points can do a private test during the season).

[Japanese Samurai]

Super GT File magazine ver.8 contents outline <Part.1>

Saitama Toyopet GR Supra GT300
*Saitama Toyopet could develop GR Supra with MC if MC gen2 was realized.
*GR Supra GT300 shares basic components with sister car Prius GT.
*The tubular frame of the GR Supra GT300 is lighter than that of Prius GT.
*Unlike the Mark X MC, the GR Supra GT300 used a wind tunnel test instead of CFD for aerodynamic development.
*25% wind tunnel owned by Yajima industry was used.
Kenichi Mitani, who is in charge of aerodynamics at TRD, became the instructor.
Hiroto Kaneso (apr) says GR Supra GT300 has better aerodynamics than Prius GT.
At the moment, the GR Supra GT300 has only one spec aero.
*GR Supra GT300 has been changed to an evolution suspension (evo-sus) at the request of Saitama Toyopet.
Evo-sus is a suspension where the push rod is attached to the upright instead of the lower arm.
Evo-sus can change the height of the left and right vehicles by steering.
*Upright of GR Supra GT300 is made of machined chromoly steel.
It is a result of emphasizing rigidity, although it is disadvantageous in terms of weight.
*GR Supra GT300 uses damping and bump rubber together for the third element (front/rear).
*The surge tank was changed from aluminum to carbon, which is 3kg lighter.
*JAF-GT300 spec 2UR-G engine is different from FIA-GT3 spec 2UR-GSE engine.
JAF-GT300 spec was developed with an emphasis on robustness in order to make it user-friendly.
The 2UR-GSE uses an 8-throttle, while the 2UR-G uses twin big throttle.

apr Prius GT
*Prius GT introduced evo-sus from 2nd round of 2020.
*Prius GT introduced side exhaust in 2020 to increase downforce.
*Prius GT (#30) introduced a damper with a blow-off valve.
It prevents the vehicle from jumping up when riding on a curb.
*Prius GT introduced DRL (Daiwa radiator).
The thickness of the radiator core has been reduced from 55mm to 36mm.
*Prius GT installs an oil tank (8.5 litter) on the front overhang.
It would be nice if it could be relocated to the rear, but it cannot be relocated due to the risk of running out of oil.

[Japanese Samurai]

Super GT File magazine ver.8 contents outline <Part.2>

Subaru BRZ GT300
*BRZ GT300, which was launched in 2012, has undergone version upgrades for the chassis in 2013, 2015, and 2017.
*EJ20 engine cannot be stress mounted. Therefore, the chassis is established by the subframe.
*In 2020 spec, the center of gravity of the chassis has been lowered and the rigidity has been increased.
*The alternator has been relocated to the left side of the transaxle for proper weight distribution.

Inging (#6) Advics muta MC86
*MC has the weakness of high frequency vibration caused by solid carbon monocoque, GTA engine and propeller shaft.
*Team Inging has partnered with brake maker Advics to participate in the GT300.
*Inging has selected top engineer Kotaro Tanaka as the chief engineer.
*Kotaro Tanaka says that MC has good mechanical accuracy and chassis design, but has not yet taken measures against heat damage.
*From Round 3, the team introduced a bump stop adjuster that enhances the functionality of the third element.
As a result, the accuracy of vehicle height control could be improved.

Lotus Evora MC
*The idea of converting MC to midship was proposed by the team owner Kazuho Takahashi.
All the GT cars he has driven are MR layouts.
*Evora was chosen because the 2+2 seater layout was dimensionally advantageous.
*However, MC monocoque does not have a design for engine connection in the rear bulkhead.
Therefore, it was decided to connect the GTA engine to the machined aluminum plate.
*The transmission casing was initially made of magnesium, but in the middle of the second year it was abandoned and is now made of aluminum.
*The team replaced the monocoque with a new one in 2018. At this timing, the design of the engine fastening plate was changed (version 2).
*The rear subframe has evolved to version 3.
*The suspension geometry of the Lotus Evora is quite different from the MC86.
*Lotus Evora is initialy a rear heavy, but if the success ballast weighs more than 50kg, the weight can be distributed to the front.
*The team uses Mooncraft's 25% wind tunnel and 3D printing for aerodynamic development.
*The team also uses CFD. CFD is very accurate in terms of aerodynamics in enclosed spaces.
*The DF value was improved by more than 1% by adopting the swan neck stay.
*Masataka Yanagita has contributed greatly to the development of Yokohama tires.

[Japanese Samurai]

Super GT File magazine ver.8 contents outline <Part.3>

About GT300/GT300MC future
*From 2021, GTA itself will establish technical regulations in place of JAF.
This allows flexible regulations change.
*For GT300, fuel tank capacity will increase from 100 liters to 120 liters from 2021.
It is a measure to match the refueling time with GT3.
*The challenge for the future is to allow the JAF-GT to use a racing engine instead of a commercial use engine.
*Sam Collins is reporting the rumor that TRD is developing a V6 or V8 "BIZ002" customer engine.
*Furthermore, since the aerodynamic performance of GT300/MC depends on the shape of the upper surface of the base vehicle, it is conceivable to unify the aerodynamics by scaling.
*Subaru BRZ GT300 doesn't use moving belt windtunnel to develop aerodynamics.

[Japanese Samurai]

Super GT File magazine ver.8 contents outline <Part.4>

GT500
Toyota GR Supra
*The 2020 spec RI4AG did not change the bore stroke ratio.
*GR Supra has further improved cooling performance.
*Kazuki Yuasa (TRD) says that Supra's aerodynamics are not so good. GR Supra has a larger drag than LC500.
*However, the GR Supra has an aerodynamic tractablity.
Compared to LC500, the difference between the wind tunnel test and the actual running test is small.
*TRD aimed at aerodynamic development that is not limited to downforce/drag.

Honda NSX-GT
*The HR420E is a completely new design, including the arrangement of accessories, gear trains, blocks, heads, intake/exhaust layouts, oil passages, and cooling channels.
*NSX has changed from MR to FR, but has inherited the high cornering performance.

Nissan GT-R NISMO GT500
*The development themes of NR20B are efficiency improvement, friction reduction, and vibration reduction.
*Ignition system was also significantly improved.
However, Nissan does not officially answer whether or not pre-chamber is introduced.
*In order to cope with engine vibration, it is equipped with damper that was previously prohibited by the regulations.

2020 GT500 performance analisys
*Motohiro Matsumura (NISMO) says that as a result of the loss of freedom in aerodynamic design, the influence of the body shape of the base vehicle has increased.
*The maximum speed of GR Supra is 300km/h, NSX-GT is in the middle of 290km/h, and GTR is a few km/h behind.
*Matsumura says that aerodynamic performance is affected by how much slant is from the tip of the nose to the fender. In other words, GTR has a disadvantage due to the nose shape of the base vehicle.

[canaglia]

wonder why renault doesn't share some know how with their japanese cousins...
it's years nissan having the less efficient engine

[Japanese Samurai]

Nissan thinks that the difference in max speed cannot be explained only by the difference in engine performance.
It says that the disadvantage of the shape of the base vehicle affects the drag dispite of scaling.