2017.03.26

[Official test at Fuji: Day 2] Snow forces test cancellation. Events arranged for the fans gathered

Day 2 of the SUPER GT official test scheduled to be held on March 26 at Fuji Speedway started under a poor condition with the snowfall from previous night covering the side of track and continuing to fall occasionally after dawn and, in addition, fog wrapped the circuit just before the morning session. Consequently the morning session was canceled and team managers and stakeholders held a meeting. Based on the fact that the possibility of weather improving drastically in the afternoon is small according to the weather forecast, the discussion concluded with a decision to cancel all sessions scheduled for the day.

 

 

 

Extended-hour open pit and dazzling talk show for the spectators

Although the testing sessions were canceled, many SUPER GT fans gathered at Fuji Speedway from early morning despite bad weather.

Drivers and teams responded by offering the best program they can give from the morning to the enthusiastic fans who came to see the test. First up was the open pit which started at the initially scheduled start time of the session, 9:30. Since the afternoon session was still expected to be held, the program was only scheduled for about an hour, but it was eventually held for extended hours until 12 o'clock. With the weather being such a weather, there were teams that invited fans to enter all the way to inside of the pit garage, and it must have turned out to be a fortunate experience for the fans invited to have an opportunity to see many SUPER GT machines including the new GT500 machines up close.

When a decision was made to also cancel the afternoon session, a talk show with SUPER GT drivers was hastily arranged at Crystal Room located on the second floor of the pit building and many fans gathered at the venue. Crystal Room is usually used for accommodating the guests of teams or sponsors during a race event and the room can be a large room or small room divided by partitions, but this time it was turned into a "large hall" by using three rooms. The venue was packed with fans filling up more the two of those rooms.

 

 

 

 

Speaking to Fuji test top teams of three GT500 models

Cancellation of scheduled testing session would be a significant setback to the teams as well as drivers who would want to run the car on the track as much as possible at this time of a year. That is especially true for the Nissan GT-R and Honda NSX-GT fleets that need to catch up with the Lexus LC500 squad showing good performance lately.

Factory manager Shinichiro Takahashi of No.12 CALSONIC IMPUL GT-R said, "It got better a little bet (at Fuji test) if you compare with the test at Okayama. NISMO (which develops GT-R) is also trying various things. We just need to get down and do what we need to do. So we just work on that as well as the setting and then develop good tires with the tire maker. But I think the situation will be difficult for some time."

Team manager Nagataka Tezuka of No.16 MOTUL MUGEN NSX-GT, which is making a comeback to GT500 this season after a long absence, also indicated that it would be a team battle including tire development, "We are far away from catching up (with LC500 squad). I consider the gap is still huge. But, talking about that won't do anything good, so the thing is what we as a team can do from here. We are partnering with Yokohama Tire, so work together and develop good tires would be one of it."

Contrastingly, the Lexus LC500 squad has been seeing good results up to this point namely from No.37 KeePer TOM'S LC500 (Ryo Hirakawa on Day 1 and Nick Cassidy on Day 2) on Day 1 and 2 of the official test at Okayama and No.36 au TOM'S LC500 (top time marked by James Rossiter) on the previous day at Fuji test. Tsutomu Tojo, Chief engineer in charge of No.36 car that is showing the speed most consistently even among the squad, commented, "We could only complete about a half of the testing menu (due to the problem at Okayama and the cancellation at Fuji). But that is the same for everybody. Even if we did run today, you never know if we could have had a good test (simulating the Round 2 Fuji in May) because the air and track surface temperatures were too low. For the season opener at Okayama, since we were able to collect data at Okayama last week (Official test), I can say we are prepared for the opening round. But the fact that we got the top time in both last week and this week is just accidental. We just happened to get a clear lap in the traffic and that's why we got the time. Other LC500s as well as NSX-GT and GT-R will sure be faster when we get to the race. After all, (winning is) not easy." Tojo showed his analysis on how the upcoming season may proceed.

As Tojo said, a test is nothing but test. Lexus LC500 squad that appeared to have an advantage at this point may fall into an unseen pitfall. Nissan GT-R and Honda NSX-GT fleets who say they are in a difficult situation may have some secrets hidden in their pocket for the real battle in the series. After completing two official tests, the whole picture should become clear at the season opening round at Okayama International Circuit on April 8 (Qualifying day) and 9 (Race day).

 

 

 

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