2019.12.06

2019-season champions and all members of SUPER GT gather for series prize-giving gala "SUPER GT HEROES 2019".

2019 AUTOBACS SUPER GT Series' prize-giving ceremony "SUPER GT HEROES 2019” was held at a hotel in Tokyo in the night of December 6th. 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 once again this year to honor all the "heroes" who contributed to SUPER GT, making the event a perfect celebration to mark an end to the season.

 

 

 

【Address by the organizer】

 

 

After a video compilation of intense battles as well as emotional moments from this year was shown, Masaaki Bandoh, the chairman of GTA Co., Ltd, the operator of SUPER GT, appeared on the stage.　"SUPER GT enjoyed a huge number of spectators at every circuit we visited again this year and was able to complete all eight series events in success along with the special inter-series race with DTM. I believe we made a firm step forward into a new stage in building a foundation of SUPER GT. I strongly believe this was only possible because of everybody who gathered here today as well as our fans who support SUPER GT and I really appreciate that. This "SUPER GT HEROES" gives us an opportunity to not only present the series prizes but also to express our appreciation to every member of SUPER GT and honor our heroes who made this year's SUPER GT more exciting." SUPER GT HEROES 2019 started with the chairman's words of appreciation to the participants from teams, guests, and race officials for their dedication and hard work.

 

 

 

【Introduction of sponsor / partner companies】

 

  

 

The level of popularity and success SUPER GT has gained would not have been accomplished without the support from sponsoring companies. 26 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. "Thank you, Chairman Bandoh and rest of the GTA and all others who were involved with the operation of 2019 SUPER GT, for your hard work. And also to the team managers, drivers, mechanics, and everybody from the teams, really thank you for providing many exciting and emotional moments. We saw many new heroes arising in sports in 2019. Rui Hachimura from American basketball and professional golfer Hinako Shibuno. And then the Japan national team in the rugby world cup. Ruby gained many new fans and it was reported that it counted some 420,000 spectators across the eight matches of world cup in total. SUPER GT, on the other hand, also gathered a similar or even more fans this year. They were not only repeaters but also new fans coming to the circuit. I understand it is an expression unique to Japan, but there is a word we frequently use, "Aisha" (or "my beloved car"), in Japan which reflects the Japanese culture of to love and have fun with your car. To support that culture, let's continue to work together to liven up the car industry." Kobayashi's address also presented a toast to the floor.

 

【Address by the guest: Liberal Democratic Party Parliamentary Association for Motorsports】

 

 

"GT HEROES" is also celebrated by not only race competitors but 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 Oooka. Chairman Furuya commented, "I, myself, participate in race and rally, and, when I was young, I used to race in a freshman race. I still enjoy racing and I finished fourth in the class in a "Kei" minicar race held at Fuji. Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) Parliamentary Association for Motorsports would like to present a trophy and rice as an extra prize to the team champion of GT300. I was informed that there will be a SUPER GT event at Sepang next season. I also serve as the chairman of Japan Malaysia Parliamentary Association, and I was given a chance to be a presenter in past Sepang events. I would like to provide any support in advertising to Malaysia." Furuya expressed his support to SUPER GT and expectation towards next season.

 

 

Secretary Oooka also appeared on the stage and shared his view and commitment with the ceremony participants, "Motorsports is also said to be a lab that runs on the track, and not only the automobile-related technology of Japan but also material, processing, data communication, etc. evolve in motorsports. I will focus my effort in supporting you through the national politics for further improving the industrial capability of Japan."

 

 

 

【SUPER GT Plus Award giving】

 

 

It has become a regular part of the gala now, a public recording of SUPER GT+, a TV program focusing exclusively on SUPER GT broadcast through the TV Tokyo network, and presentation of the special award from the TV program took place during the ceremony.

 

 

 

【Introduction of SUPER GT event organizers and officials】

 

 

"GT HEROES" is also an opportunity to express appreciation to the people who support SUPER GT through backstage operations. Drivers and team members gave a huge round of applause as the JAF (Japan Automobile Federation), circuit (organizer), and GTA officials, which all are indispensable elements of Japanese motorsports, were invited to the stage. SUPER GT flag filled with messages from drivers and colleagues and a bouquet of flowers were presented to Yasuhiro Yodono in surprise for his honorable retirement from the role of the chairman of the stewards after this season. Yodono, however, will continue his support to SUPER GT as well as motorsports by providing guidance to younger generation.

 

 

Takahito Sugita, Head of Motorsports Section, Motorsports Department, JAF, addressed the floor on behalf of all members involved in the race operations. "SUPER GT is a race that collects attention not only domestically but also internationally. The large amount of spectators it draws is indeed something that you can be proud of among all domestic races as well as at a global level."

 

 

 

【FIA-F4 Championship 2019 season Award】

 

  

 

  

 

After introduction of honorees and various programs, "GT HEROES" moved on to prize-giving ceremony. First of the ceremony was the FIA-F4 Championship award presentation, and top three drivers of the driver ranking and the champion team were called onto the stage.

 

 

 

【SUPER GT 2019 Team Award】

 

  

 

Next on was the awards in SUPER GT category. 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 Yugo Horii, Director and Senior Executive Officer, AUTOBACS SEVEN CO., LTD.

 

  

 

GT300 Team Champion No.55 ARTA was presented with the Liberal Democratic Party Parliamentary Association for Motorsports Cup and the catalog of extra award, rice, by Secretary Oooka and Deputy Secretary-general Akimoto of Liberal Democratic Party Parliamentary Association for Motorsports, and Team manager Aguri Suzuki 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.52 Saitama Toyopet Green Brave, and the cup was handed over by Masao Nozu, Head of Engineering Policy Division, Road Transport Bureau, Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism, to Team manager Hiroshi Aoyagi. GTA PRIZE given to the 2019-season champion team was handed over to Team manager Suzuki of ARTA by GTA Chairman Bandoh. Top three teams also received famous Ise lobster.

 

  

 

In GT500 class, the team champion receives “Economy, Trade, and Industry Minister's Cup.” Glittering Grand Cup was giving to Team manager Jun Yamada of this season's champion No37 LEXUS TEAM KeePer TOM'S by Satoshi Ouchi, Deputy-Director General, Manufacturing Industries Bureau, Ministry of Economy, Trade, and Industry. GTA PRIZE was also handed over to Team manager Yamada from Chairman Bandoh. Top three teams also received Ise lobster.

 

 

 

【SUPER GT 2019 Driver Award】

 

  

 

Ceremony finale is represented by the prize-giving to the drivers. Firstly, the top three ranking drivers of both classes were given the AUTOBACS Award.

 

  

 

Champions of both classes also received luxurious "Challenge Chronograph 2 2019 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.55 ARTA NSX GT3 and No.6 WAKO'S 4CR LC500 cars to GT300 Champion Shinichi Takagi / Nirei Fukuzumi and GT500 Champion Kazuya Oshima / Kenta Yamashita, respectively, along with extra prize Ise lobster as GTA PRIZE. Ise lobster was also given to the winners of "AUTOBACS 45th Anniversary presents SUPER GT x DTM Dream Race, Nick Cassidy (No.37 KeePer TOM'S LC500) and Narain Karthikeyan (No.64 Modulo Epson NSX-GT. General manager Satoru Nakajima received the award on behalf for his absence), respectively, as well as to Hiroki Yoshimoto / Ritomo Miyata (No.60 SYNTIUM LMcorsa RC F GT3) who won auto sport Web Sprint Cup.

 

  

 

GT300 class Champions Shinichi Takagi / Nirei Fukuzumi (No.55 ARTA NSX GT3) and GT500 class Champions Kazuya Oshima / Kenta Yamashita (No.6 WAKO'S 4CR LC500) gave comments on behalf of all SUPER GT drivers.

 

Takagi who recaptured GT300 championship after 17 years commented, "I really appreciate everybody at GTA, sponsors, especially AUTOBACS who has supported me, drivers who competed with me, and all the team members. I have been competing in SUPER GT for about 20 years, and I was able to win the championship again after 17 years." Takagi shared his emotional view on capturing the title.

 

 

Fukuzumi, who accomplished conquering GT300 together with Takagi despite being a SUPER GT rookie, said, "Team manager Suzuki offered me a chance at the beginning of this year, and I was very fortunate to be able to enjoy racing with Takagi as a rookie in a really good environment. Not only that, I was also able to win the championship, and I feel very happy." He expressed his appreciation towards his team in his comment.

 

 

  

 

Oshima, who captured his first GT500 class title and brought the glory back to the team since 2002, commented, "It was my 11th year in GT500 class, and I finally became champion which I was always wanting to become. But, then, we couldn't get the team title and was not able to bring Team manager Wakisaka up to the 1st place prize giving, so I want to call him here for a minute <smile>". Oshima invited Team manager Wakisaka to the stage and shared the glorious moment.

 

After competing in his second year in GT500 class with the new team he joined this season, 24-year-old Yamashita shared his feeling of winning his first SUPER GT title, "SUPER GT is a race that I had been watching since when I was a child, so becoming a champion now is something I wouldn't have imagine before. I'm really happy for winning the title. Next year I ... don't know what will happen (which category to race) , but I want to put all my effort in winning back to back!"

 

 

 

At the closure of GT HEROES, GTA Chairman Bandoh expressed appreciation for this season once again and gave a brief overview on the future of SUPER GT to wrap up the 2019-season of SUPER GT.

 

 

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