2016.05.04

GTA Regular Press Conference: Cancellation of the Autopolis Round is announced. However, ways are being considered to still have an 8-round season.

On the morning of April 4, the regular press conference of GTA Co., Ltd., administrative body of SUPER GT, was held at Fuji Speedway, site of Round 2 of the 2016 AUTOBACS SUPER GT. At the conference, GTA Chairman Masaaki Bandoh answered questions asked by a representative of the Japan Motorsport Journalist Society (JMS) about the situation involving the postponement of Round 3 of the SUPER GT series, the Autopolis Round, and also to reflect on the opening round of the series at Okayama. The Chairman also answered individual questions about the Steering Committee meeting scheduled for May 11.

 

 

Q: What is the current situation regarding the future of the Autopolis Round that has been postponed and what measures are being taken concerning it? Also, what types of actions will GTA take in support of the victims of the Kumamoto Earthquake?

 

A: Regarding the Autopolis Round, we have solicited and compiled opinions from the entrants (participating teams) through the GT Entrant Association, and at the same time, through the Autopolis side we have confirmed the condition of their facilities and regarding the environment in the surrounding area, such as road conditions.
Furthermore, considering the need to transport the machines and equipment to the Thai Round (October 8, 9) and the schedules of the other race events in Japan, it would be extreme difficult to reschedule the Autopolis Round. Also, the Autopolis side has asked that they wish to give up the idea of holding the SUPER GT round there sometime within this year.
Based on these conditions, it was decided after discussion at a special GTA board meeting the day before yesterday to cancel this year's Autopolis Round. In response to this decision, we have begun a review of the possibilities of holding an alternative round. However, because of the difficulties of holding a new round, we are searching for other possibilities such as holding two races at one of the coming rounds. The candidates we are presently investigating are the Fuji Speedway Round in August and the final round at Motegi. We plan to make a decision on this matter by no later than the end of May.

Concerning activities in support of the victims of the Kumamoto Earthquake, on April 21 we sent relief goods from Gotemba to Koshi City in Kumamoto Prefecture borrowing Yokohama Rubber transporter, and 1,200 plastic bottles (2-liter) of water from Gotemba City were delivered. This was a project based on an agreement between Gotemba City and Koshi City that we were able to assist in. Going forward, we want to continue offering assistance in cooperation with the local governments and agencies involved.
For the Fuji Race this time all of the participating SUPER GT cars as well as the FIA-F4 cars and Porsche Carerra Cup cars will run with "Kumamon" stickers on them as a message of support for the victims of the Kumamoto Earthquake. Also, before the start of the SUPER GT race, a ceremony including a moment of silence will be held as a prayer for the souls of the deceased victims of the Earthquake. Furthermore, in cooperation with Fuji Speedway, activities will be conducted to collect donations for a relief fund.

 

 

 

 

Q: What is the situation going into the May 11th Steering Committee meeting, and what will be discussed on its agenda?

 

A: Currently, in preparation for the 2017 unification of the GT500 car regulation with that of DTM cars, we are involved in negotiations concerning the number of unified parts to be adopted. For, example, with regard to suspensions, because GT500 is competed with tires from a number of makers, the suspensions can't be unified like they can in DTM where there is only one tire supplier. Regarding the limitations on aerodynamic devices, we are already working toward the 2017 cars. So, we want to reach an agreement aimed for adoption in 2019.
We are making steady progress toward 2019. By working together we can reduce costs, and we also welcome globalization of the sport, so we want to work diligently together to make the system successful. We are going to work steadily toward that goal. And the dream is to take things in the direction where someday a world championship will be possible.

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