2022.05.29

【GTA Regular Press Conference: Rd.3 Suzuka】 GTA Chairman Bandoh explains investigation process of Round 2 Fuji accident and future recurrence prevention plan.

SUPER GT's operating body GTA Co., Ltd holds a regular press conference at each event where GTA Chairman Masaaki Bandoh answers to representative questions raised by Japan Motorsport-journalist Society (JMS) as well as questions from the floor. At the press conference of Round 3 Suzuka, a detail of investigation on the accident occurred during the race of Round 2 Fuji event as well as actions to be taken for prevention in future were explained.

 

 

 

 

　

Race Director Naoki Hattori also participated in the press conference and firstly explained the events occurred at Fuji along with video footages. Race director told that it was judged as a 'race accident' during the race and then further investigated by going through various videos from different sources including on-board cameras after the race. Careful and detail explanations were given at the venue by providing analysis on the cause of accident and the situations of each car on the track, which were shown in the video. "As the operator, we will continue to emphasize the need to inform the drivers as soon as possible if there is a slow car ahead and of a faster communication for presenting a white flag as well as for reporting from the observation post to the race control", commented Race Director Hattori. He also shared his view on what the driver should do when struck with a problem, "You need to quickly let the drivers behind you know (that you are in trouble). Quickly communicate by using turn signal or hazard flashers is one of the preventions." Hattori continued, "You are fighting head to head as the rivals (during the race), but (when you get a problem) I want the drivers to change their mind to protect your peer. Protecting your peer equals to protecting the spectators."

Race Director also provided a response to a question given by a journalist, ‘What was the decision process for bringing out the checker flag under SC (safety car run) after the race resumed?’ " The race distance had not reached 75%. We thought of repairing the guardrail, but it was not going to be finished before the maximum extendable time. A decision was made to seek for a workaround to continue the race, so we tried using tire-barrier as temporary measure. The clerk of the course and I went to the site to see the situation around recovery, but we agreed that it was difficult to continue with that situation when you consider what if another accident happens there again. On the other hand, we were not considering ending the race at that point, but we wanted to bring it closer to over-75% (the number of laps needed for a race to be considered completed) as much as possible by the safety car run." Hattori revealed that everybody including the race operator as well as the organizer were wanting to resume the race. "We will take the same approach in future also and put all the effort to complete the race with safety first in mind."

Chairman Bandoh explained that Fuji Speedway informed that a spectator suffered an injury from the accident and expressed his sympathy. Mitsunori Takaboshi (No.3 CRAFTSPORTS MOTUL Z), who was involved in the accident, was taken to a hospital for a detail check-up and released the next day. Bandoh also shared that Takaboshi is participating in the Suzuka round based on the result of medical check by GTA Medial Delegate, "Takaboshi's ability to avoid danger is quite high. It was a huge crash, but the fact that Nissan/NISMO was able to build a car that allowed the driver to walk away almost uninjured shows how high their technical capability is. I believe high technical capability is what supports SUPER GT. I appreciate that. I would also like to express deep appreciation to the officials and employees of Fuji Speedway especially those who were involved in the rescue activity and track clean-up."

Accident investigation is carried out by the race director, DSO (Driving Standard Observers), and GTA Race Division and information is shared with JAF, GTA Sporting committee, and GTA Board of directors. "We will proactively share information and exchange opinions with not only the entrants and organizers but also JAF Motor Sports department, Race committee, Safety committee, and Technical committee to enhance the interaction/cooperation structure for recurrence prevention. We would like to cooperate with JAF to send SUPER GT's recurrence prevention plan and the progress to FIA so that the lesson learned from this accident will be shared through JAF for improving the safety of motorsports in all countries in the world." SUPER GT's new initiative was also explained by Chairman Bandoh.

 

 

 

 

GTA prepared a document for this press conference, "Accident investigation process and future recurrence prevention plan". It was also revealed that a recurrence prevention plan was created by the GTA Sporting committee and shared with the entrants during the drivers briefing and team manager meeting at the Round 3 Suzuka.

Overview was announced as below.

 

 

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Cars entering the pit
・Use the turn signal to alert the cars behind that the car is entering the pit.

Cars having a problem
・Use the hazard flasher or turn signal to make the cars behind clearly aware that the car is running slowly.
・Keep out from the record line and quickly leave the track.
・Make a quick decision to enter the pit when it is difficult to run at a racing speed.

Cars overtaking a slow car
・Take an action to protect your peer when you notice a danger.
・Always be ready to notice a danger.
・When a car running in front is showing a sign to enter the pit or that it is in trouble, do not get behind the car.

Team
・Convey to the drivers in timely manner the information related to hazard anticipation sent through RD radio including the position of a slow car, etc.

Below actions will be shared and worked on together with the organizers as a part of the recurrence prevention plan.
・Improve the cooperation and communication between observation posts.
・Faster presentation of flags.
・Faster information sharing in Accident site→Race control→Team

 

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