News

News
2018.12.07
2018-season champions and all members of SUPER GT gather for glorious series prize-giving "SUPER GT HEROES 2018".

2018-season champions and all members of SUPER GT gather for glorious series prize-giving "SUPER GT HEROES 2018".の画像

2018 AUTOBACS SUPER GT Series' prize-giving ceremony “SUPER GT HEROES 2018” was held at a hotel in Tokyo in the night of December 7th. All champions as well as drivers and team managers from this season along with the main supporting sponsor AUTOBACS SEVEN CO., LTD. (AUTOBACS) and other series sponsors, automakers, tire manufacturers, hosting circuits, and Japan Automobile Federation (JAF) gathered for the event dedicated to honor all the “heroes” who contributed to SUPER GT. Adorn by the highlights of intense battles from this season shown on the screen set at the venue and huge applauses given to every award-giving, the ceremony was just perfect to conclude the 2018-season.

 

 

 

[Address by the organizer]

 

 

To mark the opening of ceremony, Masaaki Bandoh, the chairman of GTA Co.,Ltd, the operator of SUPER GT, addressed the floor.
“All eight rounds of SUPER GT were completed in success once again this year. I have deepest appreciation from the bottom of my heart for the support which everyone on this floor as well as many fans gave. I would like to take this opportunity to say thank you. I'm also grateful to host this celebration together with you again this year to honor our heroes who made SUPER GT more exciting.” SUPER GT HEROES 2018 started with the chairman's words of appreciation to all members for their hard work.
Pierre Kitagawa, the SUPER GT official announcer well-known as the voice of circuit, and Amie Izawa, a SUPER GT reporter for J SPORTS, served as the masters of ceremonies at the venue again this year.

 

 

 

[Address by the guest: Liberal Democratic Party Parliamentary Association for Motorsports]

 

 

“GT HEROES” is also celebrated by many guests from companies and groups that support SUPER GT. From Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) Parliamentary Association for Motorsports, which focuses its effort in promoting motorsports, the ceremony was honored by the participation by Chairman Keiji Furuya, Deputy Secretary-general Masatoshi Akimoto, and Secretary Toshitaka Ooka, who also offered guest-speech. Chairman Furuya commented, “I'm Keiji Furuya and I'm one of the rare parliament members who still actively participate in races and rally. Although it's a recording, I watch every race of SUPER GT on TV. It's always battling and competing, so I really enjoy it. I believe that is the key to its popularity. I heard it's been 25 years since establishment, but I hope it will get even more exciting in years to come. I was also told that the series may go back to Malaysia in 2020. I also serve as the chairman of Japan Malaysia Association, so I would like to provide any support I can give and also want to go see the race if it will be held there.” Furuya expressed his support and expectation towards SUPER GT.

Secretary Ooka also addressed the floor, “I also put my effort in various activities along with the members of the Liberal Democratic Party Parliamentary Association for Motorsports to fully support SUPER GT. We are aiming to pass a new law to allow a racing event hosted on public roads soon. We are also concentrating our effort to hold a new event in March next year. This should be something you can look forward to.” He shared the current status of motorsport promotion and returned to his duty.
“Liberal Democratic Party Parliamentary Association for Motorsports is formed by the Diet members of LDP who love motorsports. I myself like racing since when I was a child, and I raced in the kart up to an entry-level formula category, but I gave up that and became a lawmaker (laughter). Now, I'm putting my effort in providing a full support to motorsports from the Diet. I still participate in racing with Ooka about once a year, but the main objective is to observe a way to improve the racing environment where everybody here work and also to encourage children to be a person, like you, who love cars and motorsports” Deputy secretary-general Masatoshi Akimoto explained his dedication to the future of automobile industry and motorsports of Japan, and also cooperated to act as a prize presenter during the award-giving ceremony.

 

 

 

[Introduction of sponsor/partner companies]

 

  

 

Huge success of SUPER GT would not be realized without the support from sponsoring companies. 21 sponsor/partner companies of this season were introduced, and Chairman Bandoh handed over special gifts to the representatives who were called onto the stage.

Kimio Kobayashi, Representative Director & Chief Executive Officer, AUTOBACS SEVEN CO., LTD., the series title sponsor, addressed the floor on behalf of all companies. “I would like to express my appreciation to everybody who came together at GT HEROES for showcasing such thrilling, exciting, and heart-moving race for one year. I believe this is the outcome of the effort not only the 44 teams and drivers but also the staff and race-queens put as one team. It is now an event that draws many people across the generations from grandfathers, grandmothers, fathers, mothers, and children. This is only achieved because of the effort by everybody here. I would like to give a toast with my hope to see even more evolved SUPER GT in a new stage next year.”

 

  

 

“SUPER GT HEROES 2018” is a prize-giving ceremony, but there is important implied message in the dishes served at the ceremony to reflect the past one year. To show support to the areas that suffered from heavy rains in west Japan in August, local products of Okayama, Yamaguchi, Ehime, and Hiroshima were used in the dishes.

 

 

 

[SUPER GT Plus Award giving]

 

 

SUPER GT Plus, a TV program focusing exclusively on SUPER GT broadcast through the TV Tokyo network, was also at the venue to record the ceremony. Akiyoshi Nakao, Sakon Yamamoto, and Asuka Shibuya, MC, commentator, and reporter of the TV program, respectively, introduced seven teams for showcasing the most notable scenes this season.
One team was selected for the program's own “GT Plus Award”. Winner of the award was the two drivers who kept the excitement alive at the circuit until the very last moment... Who could it be? You must check out the next broadcast of “SUPER GT Plus” which will feature this “GT HEROES” as well as the announcement of the award winner.

 

 

 

[Introduction of SUPER GT event organizers and officials]

 

 

“GT HEROES” is also a ceremony to express appreciation to not only the participating drivers or teams but also the people who are involved in the backstage operations. Drivers and team members gave a huge round of applause as the JAF, circuit (organizer), and GTA officials, which all are indispensable elements of Japanese motorsports, were introduced once again.
Takahito Sugita, Chief of Motorsports Section, Motorsports Department, JAF, addressed the floor on behalf of all members involved in the race operations. “SUPER GT Series is highly recognized by not only FIA but all around the world, and it has become a world-class race. By seeing the stands packed with spectators at the SUPER GT circuits, I felt grateful to see how SUPER GT is supported by that many fans and I was also encouraged by it. This could not be achieved without the effort by everybody here. I would also like to thank as a member of JAF”. Sugita expressed his appreciation to everybody involved in SUPER GT.

 

 

 

[FIA-F4 Championship 2018-season Award]

 

  

 

  

 

FIA-F4 Championship award presentation took place before the SUPER GT award-giving, and top three drivers of the driver ranking and the champion team were called onto the stage. The series is operated by GTA and held as the support race of domestic SUPER GT event, and many young drivers with a dream to become a top driver as well as top amateur drivers compete in the series.

Yuki Tsunoda, who clinched the driver's title this year, as well as Teppei Natori and Kazuto Kotaka, second- and third-place finisher in the ranking, received trophies from Chairman Bandoh. Tsunoda was also selected for GTA Award and received 3D crystals shaped in his No.5 car along with a box of Ise lobsters (provided by Minami Izu fisheries association) as an extra price. In addition, Tsunoda will receive support for stepping up to a higher category as a scholarship.

Consecutive Team Championship winner Honda Formula Dream Project (Project Director Masakazu Abe) was presented with the Champion Plate by GTA Chairman Bandoh, the Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism Minister's Cup by Yukihiro Esaka, Chief of Engineering Policy Division, Road Transport Bureau, Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism, and the DOME Award by Takuya Takahashi, President, DOME, Co., Ltd, the manufacturer of FIA-F4 car chassis.

 

  

 

For the “Independent Cup” which inaugurated this year for the drivers of age 35 or older and female drivers, Chairman Bandoh awarded a trophy to Masayuki Ueda (received by a delegate) who became the first winner of the title.

 

 

 

[SUPER GT 2018 Team Award]

 

  

 

The ceremony finally moved on to honor SUPER GT Awards winners. Firstly, the team representatives from both GT500 and GT300 classes were invited on to the stage. Each of the top three teams in the point standing received “AUTOBACS Award” from Teruyuki Matsumura, Director/Senior Managing Executive Officer, AUTOBACS SEVEN CO., LTD.

 

  

 

GT300 Team Champion No.65 K2 R&D LEON RACING was presented with the Liberal Democratic Party Parliamentary Association for Motorsports Cup and catalog of extra award by Deputy secretary-general Masatoshi Akimoto of Liberal Democratic Party Parliamentary Association for Motorsports, and Team Manager Tadashi Mizota received the honor.

 

  

 

Award granted to the top finishing JAF-specification car or mother-chassis car in the GT300 class, the Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism Minister's Cup, was given to No.31 apr, and the cup was handed over by Yukihiro Esaka, Chief of Engineering Policy Division, to Team Manager Hiroto Kaneso. GTA PRIZE given to the 2018-season champion team was handed over to Team Manager Mizota of K2 R&D LEON RACING by GTA Chairman Bandoh.

 

  

 

In GT500 class, the team champion receives “Economy, Trade, and Industry Minister's Cup.” Glittering Grand Cup was giving to General Manager Kunimitsu Takahashi of this season's champion No.100 TEAM KUNIMITSU by Satoshi Ouchi, Deputy-Director General, Manufacturing Industries Bureau, Ministry of Economy, Trade, and Industry. GTA PRIZE was also handed over to General Manager Takahashi from Chairman Bandoh.

 

  

 

After all team representatives of SUPER GT teams were invited on to the stage, Hiroto Kaneso, Team Manager of apr, addressed on behalf of all teams. “We were able to race safely throughout the year again this year, and this was only enabled because of GTA and the organizers as well as officials and the fans who cheered for us. The gap between the champion and the second place was only a little bit over one second in both GT500 and GT300. Overall distance of all eight races together is 3,055km. That is about the same distance of a round-trip between Sportsland SUGO and Autopolis. The cars went full speed along the distance and the gap is only one second and a bit. This is the attraction of SUPER GT and the reason why it is considered as one of the top races in the world. We all want to become ‘Number One’ in this race and that's what we aim for. Not only the teams, but also officials and tire manufacturers would push to the limit when it comes to ‘Number One’, and that started everything that we see now. I hear new teams, new machines, new drivers, and big moves next year. That is something to look for, definitely, but, also, I hereby promise to show the greatest race to the 'Number One' GT fans.”

 

 

 

[SUPER GT 2018 Driver Award]

 

  

 

Ceremony had finally reached the climax. It was time for driver’s award presentation. Firstly, the top three ranking drivers of both classes were given the AUTOBACS Award.

 

  

 

Champions of both classes also received luxurious “Challenge Chronograph 2018 SUPER GT Champion watch” engraved with the name of each champion as “CVSTOS Award” from Toshiya Kawai, President, World Commerce Corporation. And then GTA Chairman Bandoh presented 3D crystals shaped in No.65 LEON CVSTOS AMG and No.100 RAYBRIG NSX-GT cars to GT300 Champion Haruki Kurosawa / Naoya Gamou and GT500 Champion Naoki Yamamoto / Jenson Button, respectively, along with extra prize Ise lobster as GTA PRIZE.

 

  

 

GT300 class Champions Haruki Kurosawa / Naoya Gamou (No.65 LEON CVSTOS AMG) and GT500 class Champions Naoki Yamamoto / Jenson Button (No.100 RAYBRIG NSX-GT) gave comments on behalf of all SUPER GT drivers.

Kurosawa, who played the core role of the team for six seasons from the establishment until now, commented, “We finally captured the championship. I really thank everybody that cheered and supported us. I really feel blessed to finally reach here (winning the title) after six years since establishing the team. I would like to ask for your continuous support as I am committed to come back here (to SUPER GT) even stronger next year”. Kurosawa shared his feeling on capturing the title and his determination for next season.
After joining the team in the middle of 2014 and receiving recognition on his speed, Gamou expressed his appreciation to the team and determination for next season, “I am very happy for winning the 2018 championship. The team provided the greatest organization, which allowed me to concentrate just in driving. I believe that lead us to the title. I will do all my best again next year, and I appreciate all the support given to me.”

 

  

 

Despite unimaginable pressures he received this year, Yamamoto successfully bounced back and became GT500 class champion. “With all the cooperation and support from everybody, I was able to finish all races safely again this year. I really appreciate that. Thank you. I will also do my best next season, so I would appreciate if I can receive the cheer and support again next year.” Yamamoto was just filled with appreciation in his words.

It was Jenson Button's first year to compete a full-season in SUPER GT alongside Yamamoto. Being the 2009 F1 World Champion, everybody watched closely on Jenson Button with a mindset of “Got to be fast”, but Briton overcame numerous issues he faced in SUPER GT, which is a total change from a formula car racing, and grabbed the title in his hand. “First of all, I would like to thank GTA for organizing such a fantastic championship and everybody involved in SUPER GT. And, also, I'm just grateful to feel that I'm standing here only because of the support given by Honda, General Manager 'Kuni-san', and 'Naoki-san.' I really appreciate for the support and cheering I received this season.”

 

 

At last, GTA Chairman Bandoh expressed appreciation for this season and gave a brief overview on the future of SUPER GT to wrap up the last event of 2018-season.

 

 

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