2018 Japanese Super GT

[hvr777]

Originally Posted by Japanese Samurai

Takeshi Tsuchiya explains why Team Tsuchiya (#25) always take no-tire-change strategy on his Facebook.
https://www.facebook.com/story.php?s...00003953086541

That's because MC car is difficult to overtake on the racing course.
Actually, the number of times Tsuchiya has overtaken over two years is zero car, the number of times he has been overtaken is more than 50 cars.
It is because the engine power is less than 100 horsepower than FIA-GT3 cars, and even if the car weight is 150 kg light, that does not benefit much in racing traffic.
In short, MC car is quick in single running, but it is easy to be overtaken, and it is difficult to overtake.
Therefore, in order to win with MC car, you have to either run alone from the pole position or shorten the pit-stop time.
They have developed tires in cooperation with Yokohama since 2015 to make no-tire-change strategy successful.
And that tire was completed in the early part of 2016 season.
However, Tsuchiya thinks that it might force their racers to overtax their tolerance.
He thinks whether it is good to restrain overtaking for young drivers Tsuboi and Matsui.
Considering the financial side of FIA-GT3 car in the 3 year cycle,
it is necessary to double the MC car's budget.
Therefore, Tsuchiya of privateer can not afford it.
In order to win with MC car, it is only necessary for two quick drivers.
However, in order to be a champion with MC cars,
two drivers who can drive quickly and can control themselves are needed.
In other words, of course #25 MC car is quick, but Tsuchiya's drivers are quick and amazing.

Having learned Tsuchiya Engineering's deficit on number of full time staffs, power deficit in its car etc, I'm amazed the team can backup its own weakness with excellent strategy and drivers. Especially at 2016 last race. Such the old-school team.