2016.09.14

Suzuka Makers Test, Day 1 sees first tests of Lexus and Nissan 2017 GT500 machines

On September 14, a SUPER GT manufacturers test event was held at Suzuka Circuit that saw Lexus and Nissan run tests with their new 2017 model GT500 machines. The two makers each brought one machine to test in the morning and afternoon 2-hours sessions. For LEXUS GAZOO Racing, the machine was the new LC500 unveiled recently at Round 6 of the SUPER GT series at Suzuka, and for Nissan it was the new GT-R being unveiled for the first time. The tests will continue tomorrow for a second day.

 

 

On this Day 1 of tests, there was fear of rain at Suzuka, but fortunately it was only cloudy in the morning. The air temperature was 28 degrees Celsius and the track surface temperature was 31 degrees, making conditions fairly good for testing. By the end of the testing the track surface temperature had risen to 38 degrees.

LEXUS GAZOO Racing tested the 2017 model GT500 machine, the No. 093 LC500 that had already been unveiled at the end of August at the Suzuka 1000km race, Round 6 of the 2016 season. The test drivers were the winning drivers from that Suzuka race, Yuji Tachikawa and Hiroaki Ishiura (No. 38 CERUMO RC F).
The Nissan/NISMO team brought the new 2017 model GT-R for its first unveiling. The test drivers were the reigning GT500 class champion driver pair of Tsugio Matsuda and Ronnie Quintarelli (No.1 MOTUL AUTECH GT-R). The tires used were Michelin for the GT-R and Bridgestone for the LC500.

 

 

In the dry morning tests, both machines ran times on par with this season’s models

In the morning session, both teams went out on the track to begin tests within five minutes after 9:00. Both the No. 093 LC500 and the No. 230 GT-R were quick to deliver lap times in the 1’50 sec. range. In the No. 093 LC500, Tachikawa drove 16 laps, while the No. 230 GT-R ran 20 laps. The No. 093 LC500 developed machine trouble part way through the session, coming to a stop two times on the track. However, after inspection and repairs it was able to continue running laps, indicating that the trouble had not been serious.
In this morning session, both the No. 093 LC500 and the No. 230 GT-R were quick to run best lap times in the 1’50 sec. range by un-official clocking. Since the pole position-winning time at the recent Suzuka Round 6 was 1’47.456 (No. 15 Drago Modulo NSX CONCEPT-GT) and the fastest lap during the race was 1’50.924 (No. 24 FORMULA ENGINEERING ADVAN GT-R), the high level of current development of these two machines was proven.

 

Rain falls part way through the afternoon session. LC500 improved on its morning best

The afternoon session began from 2:00. However, about 30 minutes into the session rain began to fall on the western half of the track. Both machines recorded their fastest afternoon times before the rain began. Here, both the No. 093 LC500 (Tachikawa) and the No. 230 GT-R (Quintarelli) ran times in the 1’50 range.
After the rain started, there was a driver change to Ishiura for the No. 093 LC50, who ran about ten laps, bringing the 2-hour total of laps run by the team in the afternoon to 18. On the other hand, the No. 230 GT-R never returned to the track after the rain started to fall, leaving its total laps run in the afternoon at just 13.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

As for Honda, the plans are for it to unveil its new model for the fans at the final round of the season at Twin Ring Motegi on November 11 and 12.

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