2016.12.02

All SUPER GT members gathered for 2016 award-giving "SUPER GT HEROES 2016"

In the evening of December 2nd, AUTOBACS SUPER GT 2016 Series award-giving ceremony “SUPER GT HEROES 2016” was held at a hotel in Tokyo. Being held for the second time this year, the award-giving ceremony gathered not only the Series Champions of this season but also SUPER GT's drivers and team managers, automakers that supply racing cars, tire manufacturers, host circuits, Japan Automobile Federation (JAF) members, and the sponsor companies that support SUPER GT including the series title sponsor, AUTOBACS SEVEN CO., LTD. (AUTOBACS). It was a perfect celebration to conclude the year 2016 that showcased many thrilling and exciting races back to back.

 

 

Masaaki Bandoh, Chairman, GTA Co.,Ltd, the governing body of SUPER GT, appeared on the stage for the opening of the ceremony. "This year we had an unusual series with the Round 3 Autopolis event being canceled due to the earthquake in Kumamoto. Still, with the hard work by many people, we were able to have alternative event at the final round Motegi. At Motegi, we held two races in one event, which was the first ever racing format adopted in the SUPER GT history, but we were able to complete it in a success and that enabled us to hold all eight races as initially planned. I really appreciate from bottom of my heart that that was only achievable because of the great effort giving by everybody who support SUPER GT. As you can see in its name, all drivers, members, everybody who gathered here are the hero in 'SUPER GT HEROES 2016'. And I'm committed to make even greater progress with every one of you." Bandoh's address marked the opening of SUPER GT HEROES 2016.

 

  

 

Opening remarks was followed by introduction of 20 sponsor companies that support SUPER GT, and GTA Chairman Bandoh presented commemorative gifts to the representatives. On behalf of the sponsor companies, Kimio Kobayashi, Representative Director, AUTOBACS SEVEN CO., LTD., the series title sponsor, addressed the floor. "This year was 19th year of AUTOBACS' sponsorship to SUPER GT and next year will be a milestone of 20 years. With the effort and performances shown by many teams and drivers in past years, the number of spectators is continuously increasing year after year. I really appreciate that. This year there were a highest number of participating teams in the history and the racing on track got even more thrilling and that was assuring to me that we can expect the same thing next year. I am also expecting SUPER GT to have a greater success at overseas as well." Kobayashi commented as he proposed a toast.

 

 

On behalf of the guests, Hikomitsu Noji, President and Representative Member of the Board, The Yokohama Rubber Co., Ltd, was also invited onto the stage. "I think it's not too much say that SUPER GT has become one of the entertainment events that represent Japan. Many enterprises see significance in the allurement SUPER GT has and are getting involved with the series. If you look at the cars, a wide variety of cars from Japan, overseas, and mother-chassis are competing on a field where two different classes run together. There is also competition among the tire manufacturers too, and this all together make SUPER GT very unique and offer many different points to see and enjoy. I believe the whole world will be giving more attention to the series in near future. From the perspective of us, tire manufacturers, SUPER GT is like a treasury box of technologies. We will focus on further technology innovation and continue to put effort and work had as a challenger."

 

  

 

Held as a party to mark the end of a year, the dishes served to the guests at “SUPER GT HEROES 2016” are given meanings to each. Autopolis event, which was scheduled to host Round 3, was canceled this season due to the Kumamoto earthquake. To support the recovery from the disaster and extend the thoughts to the affected area, a rich variety of cuisine menu using specialties from Kumamoto and Oita were served including salad made with vegetables from Kumamoto and Oita, mousse made with shrimp and scallop from Oita, and fillet steak of beef from Kyushu area with sauce made out of soy sauce from Kumamoto and yuzu and black pepper from Oita.

 

 

First award-given ceremony of the night happened at "GT Plus Award" presented by "SUPER GT+", a SUPER GT dedicated TV program produced by TV Tokyo. The TV program offered "GT Plus Supporting Actor Award,” honoring engineers, who are the supporting players of the race, and “GT Plus Grand Award," given to a driver or team manager who drew empathy/emotionally touched the heart of viewer and the program. Akiyoshi Nakao, the MC of the TV program, served as the presenter of the two awards and the winners were presented with respective award.

 

 

Award-giving ceremony was followed by an address given by a guest, Toshitaka Ooka, a House of Representatives member, secretary of Liberal Democratic Party Parliamentary Association for Motorsports. "I would like to give a few words on behalf of the Liberal Democratic Party Parliamentary Association for Motorsports. Congratulation for holding 'SUPER GT HEROES 2016' in a great atmosphere. Although the Autopolis event was canceled due to the Kumamoto earthquake this year, I would like to express appreciation, as a Diet member, for your kind consideration to use products from Kyushu in today's dishes to support recovery of Oita and Kumamoto. Liberal Democratic Party Parliamentary Association for Motorsports’ one of the goals is, whatever it takes, to try to realize a street-circuit race in Japan, and we are putting our effort to pass a bill to achieve that goal. Of course, what we have in our vision is a street-circuit race by SUPER GT. In order to achieve that, we are determined to work together with everybody here. I would like to ask for your continuous support."

 

 

The theme of this award-giving, “GT HEROES”, is not only for drivers or team staff. From this perspective, JAF, circuits (organizers), and officers were introduced and called on to the stage to recognize their effort. Drivers and members gave a huge round of applauses to show their appreciation to the support given throughout the season.

 

  

 

 

GTA is organizing the FIA-F4 Championship, a category which is also positioned as a part of driver development effort, and holding it as a support race of domestic events since last year, and a ceremony was set before the SUPER GT’s award-giving to give recognition to the achievements in the championship. Ritomo Miyata was presented with "GTA Award" for winning the 2016 Championship. With the "GTA Award", the driver will receive support for stepping up to a higher category as a scholarship.

Honda Formula Dream Project was also honored in the ceremony for winning the Team Championship, and the team was given the Champion Plate by GTA Chairman Bandoh, the Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism Minister's Cup by Yukihiro Esaka, Head of Engineering Policy Division, Road Transport Bureau, Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism, and the JIMIA Award by Kiyoshi Oiwa, Chairman, Japan Motor-Racing Industry Association.

 

 

 

  

 

 

The celebration finally moved on to the presentation of SUPER GT awards. Firstly, the team representatives from both GT500 and GT300 classes were invited on to the stage. Each of the top three teams received "AUTOBACS Award" from Naoyuki Koyama, Executive Officer, AUTOBACS SEVEN CO., LTD.

 

 

In addition, GT300 Team Champion No. 25 VivaC team TSUCHIYA was presented with the Liberal Democratic Party Parliamentary Association for Motorsports Cup and an award catalog by Toshitaka Ooka, Secretary of Liberal Democratic Party Parliamentary Association for Motorsports, and, due to absence of Team Manager Haruo Tsuchiya, the Representative of Entrant as well driver, Takeshi Tsuchiya, received the honor.

 

  

 

VivaC team TSUCHIYA also received the Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism Minister's Cup, an award given to the top finishing JAF-specification car or mother-chassis car in the GT300 class, and the cup was handed over by Esaka from the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism. "GTA PRIZE" given to the 2016 Series Champion Team was handed over to Tsuchiya, Representative of Entrant of VivaC team TSUCHIYA, by GTA Chairman Bandoh.

 

  

 

In GT500 class, the champions are granted with the “Economy, Trade, and Industry Minister's Cup.” Glittering Grand Cup was giving to Katsuyuki Sato, Managing Director, SARD Co., Ltd., the team operator of No. 39 LEXUS TEAM SARD that became this season's champion, by Hiroshi Tsuchida, Deputy-Director General, Manufacturing Industries Bureau, Ministry of Economy, Trade, and Industry. "GTA PRIZE" was also handed over to MD Sato of LEXUS TEAM SARD from GTA Chairman Bandoh.

 

 

After all team representatives of SUPER GT teams were invited on to the stage, Hiroto Kaneso, Team Manager of apr, commented on behalf of all teams. "In 2016, 38 entrants (teams) and 44 cars showed exciting and emotionally touching races with full-throttle at each and every event in SUPER GT. Without the support from many of you, we could not be standing here today. We appreciate from bottom of our hearts. SUPER GT is a world’s top-class race. Everybody competing here take pride as true professionals. Among all, 26 entrants have been fully participating in SUPER GT since the 90's, and the famous drivers of all time who I admired when I was a student as well as the people who have much more experience than me and I have enduring respect to are managing the teams. What I am trying to say is that SUPER GT is the race which all the history of Japanese motorsports is condensed within. On the other hand, everybody loves SUPER GT and are big fan of it. That's why we put our passion in it every year, saying who beat who or even telling each other whenever there is a heart-touching moment. In 2017, GT500 class will have new model cars, and I heard that there are going to be two new teams coming in to the GT300 class. There could be some teams taking on the challenge with a new organization, so there are a lot of topics. Among all, what we guarantee everybody is that we will compete in this race fully, fiercely, and beautifully. I'm sure you can expect another great season next year." Kaneso expressed the feeling that all teams share in his words.

 

  

 

Ceremony had finally reached the climax and it was time to honor the drivers. Firstly, the top three ranking drivers of both classes were given "AUTOBACS Award."

 

 

And then GTA Chairman Bandoh presented 3D crystals shaped in No. 25 VivaC 86 MC and No. 39 DENSO KOBELCO SARD RC F cars to GT300 Champion Takeshi Tsuchiya / Takamitsu Matsui and GT500 Champion Heikki Kovalainen / Kohei Hirate, respectively, as "GTA PRIZE."

 

  

 

GT300 class Champions Takeshi Tsuchiya / Takamitsu Matsui (No. 25 VivaC 86 MC) and GT500 class Champions Heikki Kovalainen / Kohei Hirate (No. 39 DENSO KOBELCO SARD RC F) gave comments on behalf of all SUPER GT drivers.

Tsuchiya said, "I'm sorry to talk about myself, but I became a Champion for the first time in the 24 years of my racing career. I have decided to withdraw from the front line as a SUPER GT driver this year, and we are planning to have Takamitsu (Matsui) and a young driver in the team next season. I am really happy that I won the championship, but I'm happier on Takamitsu's development this year, and without Takamitsu, I wouldn't be standing here. I'm a lucky guy to be able to close the curtain on my career as a driver like this. I will step down as a driver, but I want to continue working to build an environment where young drivers can take part in a big race in future. I will continue to put my effort as a racing professional, so I would appreciate your continuous support."

Matsui commented, "This year was a very good year. I met Takeshi (Tsuchiya) 10 years ago, and he taught me to be where I am and also I was lucky to have the people that I have around me. I will consider this (GT300 Champion) as a passing point and continue to push forward (in the racing career)".


On winning the GT500 Class Championship, Kovalainen commented, "I really appreciate for holding such a fabulous event like this. I'm also thankful for organizing such a great championship. I was able to become the champion this year and it sure was a wonderful year. I have to thank my rivals for showing fair and great battles. I'm also thankful to LEXUS TEAM SARD and my teammate Kohei (Hirate). Also, Toyota, Lexus, TRD, and everybody that supported me, thank you." Kovalainen’s comment was filled with appreciation.

"This is my second title, but I am very happy that I could contribute to the first ever title that LEXUS TEAM SARD won in their 23 years in the competition. I fought throughout the season thinking that I had to stop the back-to-back championship by GT-R. So, I was very happy that we captured the title in Lexus RC F at last. I believe winning this Championship was only possible with the huge support from TRD, Bridgestone Tire, LEXUS TEAM SARD, and so many other people. All drivers here today will once again give everything to the battle and show exciting races, so please continue to give your support" said Hirate as he expressed his appreciation.

 

 

To close the “SUPER GT HEROES 2016,” GTA Chairman Bandoh appeared on stage on behalf of GTA, "Next year will be a milestone to GTA as it marks the 10th year since GTA became a corporation. Throughout the past years we worked carefully and attentively by focusing on the improvement of the awareness of motorsports, the globalization, and the positioning of SUPER GT in Japan while receiving your continuous support. We are committed to continue to play a role in the automobile industry, which is one of the core industry of Japan, contribute to the improvement of advance technology, and organize races that does not only pursuit speed but also are environment-friendly. Next season, new model cars with about 25% less downforce for the sake of safety will be deployed to the GT500 class, however, there is no intention to stop the technology evolution of teams or manufacturers. Our goal is the safety performance, environmental performance, and to be the fastest GT race in the world. Also, in terms of globalization, we will proactively interact and build a friendly relationship with Asian countries through FIA GT3 cars and put our effort in a complete integration of the technical regulations as well as holding a join event with the DTM from Germany. Through the initiative, we will make progress in the promotion and development of GT race in Europe and in the whole world. We will also continue our proactive involvement in the social contribution activities through racing." Bandoh described his view on the future of SUPER GT to bring the curtain down to the 2016 season.

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