Japanese
No.17 KEIHIN NSX-GT
Koudai Tsukakoshi
“I have never had a race like this where I didn’t feel like I had beaten anyone. I was just involved in a constant discourse with the car as I drove. In the first half Baguette was very fast and built up a big lead for us, but when I started driving, I was having trouble and I was worried that if things went on like this, I might lose our lead. But, during the second half of my stint the car’s performance got better, things became easier for me and I was able to keep my lead to the finish. I want to say thanks to our team manager Kaneishi-san, to Baguette, to KEIHIN, to Honda and all the people who have supported us.”
Bertrand Baguette
“From the start the condition of the car was very good. The battle for the lead with the other NSX-GT, No. 8, wasn’t easy, but I was able to pass it and go on to build a lead because the car was performing so well. After that, Tsukakoshi-san used that lead well and took us to the win. This is the first win for the NSX-GT since changing to the front engine format, and I am happy for that. Since coming to Japan, my family in Belgium has been worried about me as I have been worried about them in these difficult times. But my motivation is high, and it is wonderful that we have been able to show that we can win.”
No. 2 SYNTIUM・Apple・LOTUS
Hiroki Katoh
“It has been a long ten years. I can’t even remember those times (laughs). No, that is a lie. I am so happy that we have this race. [When we chose to delay our pit stop] I didn’t know it the tire performance would hold out, so I couldn’t push too hard and that is why car No. 61 got in front of me. But since the tires were holding out and I was running fast, I was able to finish my stint and hand over the car to Yanagida-san in a favorable position, and I think that is why we won.”
Masataka Yanagida
“I am really so happy. Since it has been so hard for us to win [in GT300] and since this we have been able to win in the second round of this first full season entry for me for a while, I want to thank the team staff and Katoh-san and the people at Yokohama Tire. I think that [with this victory] I have been able to repay some of the debt I owe to Katoh-san and our team owner Takahashi-san for choosing me to drive this season.”
| 4/13-14 | Round1 OKAYAMA | |
 |
5/03-04 | Round2 FUJI |
| 6/01-02 | Round3 SUZUKA | |
| 8/03-04 | Round4 FUJI | |
| 8/31-9/01 | Round5 SUZUKA | |
| 9/21-22 | Round6 SUGO | |
| 10/19-20 | Round7 AUTOPOLIS | |
| 11/02-03 | Round8 MOTEGI |