2022.12.02

The 2022 awards ceremony “SUPER GT HEROES 2022” took place for the first time in 3 years. Champions and involved personnel gathered to celebrate the occasion.

　The 2022 AUTOBACS SUPER GT series awards ceremony “SUPER GT HEROES 2022” was held at a hotel in Tokyo on the night of December 2nd, and the champions of this season were once again commended for their outstanding performance.
　Upon precaution of the spread of COVID-19, this ceremony had been withheld since the last time in 2019. The core members of all participating teams along with the main supporting sponsor AUTOBACS SEVEN CO., LTD. (AUTOBACS) and other series sponsors, automakers, tire manufacturers, hosting circuits, JAPAN AUTOMOBILE FEDERATION (JAF), and members from the government who support the Japanese motorsports industry all gathered, giving this ceremony a spectacular vibe, suitable for the ending of this season.

 

 

 

【Address by the organizer】

 

 

　First, a special video was aired on the large screen, which gathered footage from the intense battles and emotional moments from the races this season. Then, Masaaki Bandoh, chairman of GTA CO., Ltd., the promotor of SUPER GT, stepped on stage to address greetings.
“First of all, I would like to thank all the support from the fans, as well as every person who has attended this ceremony including our sponsors, teams, automakers, tire manufacturers, and hosting circuits for their dedication and hard work. I would like to express my deepest gratitude, as we have been able to successfully run through all 8 races this season, as well as being able to host the scheduled 8 championships for the past 3 years, amid the situations regarding COVID-19. We are holding this “SUPER GT HEROES” for the first time in 3 years. Every year we use this occasion both to commend our award winners, and, as the operator and promoter of SUPER GT, to express our appreciation to all the people associated with SUPER GT. What I would sincerely like to note is that we believe that the word HERO in the title of this ceremony refers to each and everyone of you who have attended this ceremony.” The chairman expressed his appreciation towards all individuals concerned with the SUPER GT for being able to host races among difficult situations, and spoke of the true intention of the word “HEROES” in the ceremony title.

 

 

 

【Introduction of sponsor / partner companies】

 

  

 

　SUPER GT could not have overcome these difficult situations and mark huge success as an event without the support from sponsoring companies. 24 sponsor / partner companies were introduced, as Chairman Bandoh presented gifts to each member who was called on stage.
　Representing the 24 companies, Kiomi Kobayashi, Director and Chairman, AUTOBACS SEVEN CO., LTD., the series title sponsor, gave greetings.
“I would like to first of all congratulate the GT HEROES event for being able to take place like this today. 3 years ago, I talked about how the rugby world cup was at the heat of the moment, but today the talk about the soccer world cup is at its highest as the Japanese national team has made it to the final tournament. Our SUPER GT, has been hosted for the past 3 years with strict regulations regarding prevention of infection. I remember the first races being held without spectators, and the atmosphere of the circuit feeling very different than what we are used to. However, we continued to take action in the means of preventing infection, and were able to gradually invite spectators. Finally, this year, we were able to have 300,000 spectators show up at the circuits and enjoy the races. Next year will be a milestone for us as it will be our 25th year as title sponsor. We would like to bring excitement to motorsports with everybody here. Now I would like to make a toast, with the word “bravo” which has become a buzzword just this morning from our Japanese soccer team. Bravo!!” The toast had been announced to the floor with his greeting.

 

  

 

　The lineup of the cuisine offered during the ceremony had been chosen especially for this occasion. To honor all 6 circuits which hosted the races this year, each menu was made with signature agricultural products and specialty materials related to the local area of each circuit including Miyagi prefecture (Sportsland SUGO), Tochigi prefecture (Mobility Resort Motegi), Shizuoka prefecture (Fuji Speedway), Mie prefecture (Suzuka Circuit), Okayama prefecture (Okayama International Circuit), and Oita prefecture (AUTOPOLIS).

 

 

 

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

 

 

　In this ceremony, attendees included members of companies and associations who support motorsports including the SUPER GT. From the Liberal Democratic Party Parliamentary Association for Motorsports, an association which makes valuable efforts for the promotion of motorsports within Japan, the event was honored with the attendance of 4 members from the House of Representatives, Chairman Keiji Furuya, Secretary-general Toshitaka Ooka, Chief secretary Junko Mihara, and Head of secretary Sakon Yamamoto. Mihara and Yamamoto appeared only as presenters of awards due to circumstances of official duties.

　Chairman Furuya spoke, “The Liberal Democratic Party Parliamentary Association for Motorsports are making our best effort, as an all-party parliamentary group focused on auto culture, to submit bills regarding the further promotion of motorsports. I have enjoyed the SUPER GT races on the J SPORTS television network. Although it was an amateur category, we entered a light automobile endurance race that took place at Fuji Speedway. It was a difficult race which also involved gasoline mileage as part of the competition, but we were able to finish in 2nd place among 70 contestants. That was a lot of fun. This year, we were also able to host a World Rally Championship at my hometown in Gifu and Aichi prefectures, which 500,000 spectators turned out to enjoy. I believe motorsports is a culture in which everyone can enjoy. Let’s further bring excitement to motorsports.” Chairman Furuya promised his ongoing support for SUPER GT and motorsports.

 

 

 

【Introduction of SUPER GT event organizers and officials】

 

 

　Representing the organizers, Koichiro Murata from the motorsports department of JAF gave greetings. After expressing his appreciation towards all hosting circuits of the SUPER GT and its race official volunteers who support the organizing of the races, he mentioned, “Right now, the situation is that the GT500 class drivers receive super license points regarding the privileges to F1 from the FIA, but the GT300 class drives receive none. We would like to lobby the FIA to give the GT300 drivers the same opportunity.” Murata expressed his gratitude towards people involved in SUPER GT, and about enhancing the status of GT300 drivers.

 

 

　Mr. Kazuo Ito, who long served as the Safety Delegate, and Mr. Seiji Iwakawa, who was in charge as the Technical Delegate until 2021, retired from those important positions, and Chairman Bandoh presented them with a bouquet of flowers in recognition of their service.

 

 

 

【FIA-F4 Championship 2022 season award】

 

  
 

 

 

　After a line of introductions, the award ceremony of this season began. First, was the award ceremony of the FIA-F4 Championship, and the drivers who placed top 3 in the standings and the team champion stepped on stage. This series, organized by the GTA, consists of young talents who aspire to become top drivers, and also top amateurs, and a total of 14 Rounds in 7 race events were held this year as support races of the SUPER GT.

 

　The driver champion Syun Koide, 2nd place Yusuke Mitsui and 3rd place Rin Arakawa, were each given a trophy from Chairman Bandoh. Koide was also awarded with a “GTA Award”, and a champion driver trophy from the FIA (Federation Internationale de l’Automobile) was handed to him from JAF head of department Murata.
　As a scholarship, Koide also received scholarship funds to support the advancement of his career next season.

 

　Representing the team champion of the year Honda Formula Dream Project, Team manager Masakazu Abe received an award plaque and secondary prize from Chairman Bandoh, a Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism Minister’s cup from department chief of Road transport Bureau, Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport Hiroyuki Inomata, and a DOME award from DOME Co.,LTD, which manufactures chassis for FIA-F4, Representative director Teruyuki Matsumura.

 

  

 

　For the title winner of the “Independent Cup”, which consisted of drivers over the age of 35 and female drivers, Yutaka Toba was given a trophy from Chairman Bandoh.

 

 

 

【SUPER GT 2022 Team Award】

 

  
 

 

　

Then came the SUPER GT awards. The top 3 teams of both classes walked up on stage and received an “AUTOBACS Award”, presented by Director and Chairman Kobayashi of AUTOBACS SEVEN CO., LTD.

 

  

 

　Next, the team champion of the GT300 class No.56 KONDO RACING’s representative Nobuaki Adachi of MK Company, Ltd. Motor Sports Div, substituting for Team manager Masahiko Kondo, received a Liberal Democratic Party Parliamentary Association for Motorsports trophy from Secretary-general Toshitaka Ooka, and a secondary award from Head of secretary Yamamoto of the Liberal Democratic Party Association for Motorsports.

 

  

 

　For the top finishing GT300-specification car or Mother-chassis car in the GT300 class, the Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism Minister’s Cup was awarded to No.61 R&D SPORT. The Team manager Masahiro Ozawa received the award from department chief of Road transport Bureau, Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport Hiroyuki Inomata. Following that, the “GTA PRIZE” awarded to the 2022 season champion, was awarded to KONDO RACING from Chairman Bandoh.

 

 

 

　The team champion of the GT500 class No.12 TEAM IMPUL’s team manager Kazuyoshi Hoshino, received a glimmering “Economy, Trade, and Industry Minister’s Cup” from Assistant Vice-Minister, Minister’s Secretariat of the Manufacturing Industries Breau, Ministry of Economy, Trade, and Industry Takeshi Fujimoto. Also the Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism Minister’s Cup from Chief Secretary Mihara, and a secondary prize from Head of Secretary Yamamoto, and the “GTA PRIZE” and secondary prize from Chairman Bandoh, was presented to Hoshino.

 

  

 

　Every year ZF Friedrichshafen AG, who supplies important mechanical parts of SUPER GT race cars, awards the mechanics of 1 team for their outstanding performance. The “ZF Award of The Year” was awarded to the best mechanical engineering which was No. 12 TEAM IMPUL. Representative Director and President Naosumi Tada of ZF Japan Co., Ltd. presented TEAM IMPUL head mechanic Shinichiro Takahashi with prize money.

 

  

 

　As an end to the team award category, all representatives of the participating teams of this year’s SUPER GT were called up on stage. Representing the entrants, Team manager of apr Hiroto Kaneso addressed the floor.
“We gave an all out effort for the SUPER GT races this year. The reason we were able to carry these races out safely is because of the support of everybody here, and our passionate fans. It has been 3 years since the last SUPER GT HEROES, but during the meantime our truly special predecessors Mr. Haruo Tsuchiya, Mr. Kunimitsu Takahashi, Mr. Keikichi Nakano, and Mr. Tsuyoshi Ohno have left us. They were all mentors to me and have told me, “Think and make effort unlike anyone else,” “Work with diligence everyday, then you will be able to surpass me.” I will not be able to surpass any of them anymore. However, our entrants must pass on the will of our predecessors in heaven to the next generation. Also, we must bring excitement to SUPER GT like never before. All of us entrants together will carve out an exciting story which has no script. Please look forward to the next season.” Kaneso made a statement on the future of the teams and the sentiment to the upcoming season.

 

 

 

【SUPER GT 2022 Driver Award】

 

  

 

　The award ceremony made its way to the homestretch as the drivers award began. First the top 3 ranked drivers of both classes made their way on stage and received the AUTOBACS Award trophy from, Director and Chairman Kobayashi of AUTOBACS SEVEN CO., LTD.. The champions of each class also were awarded with 1 million yen prize money.

 

  

 

　Also, the champions of both classes were awarded the “CVSTOS Award” from the WORLD COMMERCE CORPORATION presented by CEO Toshiya Kawai, with a CVSTOS luxury watch the “CHALLENGE CHRONOGRAPH II 2022 SUPER GT Champion Watch” which had the name of each champion engraved on the watches.

 

　Next, as the “GTA PRIZE”, the GT 300 champion Kiyoto Fujinami, and Joao Paulo de Oliveira (absent for the ceremony), and GT500 champion Kazuki Hiramine and Bertrand Baguette were presented 3D crystals shaped in No.56 REALIZE NISSAN MECHANIC CHALLENGE GT-R and the No.12 CALSONIC IMPUL Z respectively. The champions were also given Ise Lobster as a secondary prize.

 

  

 

　All the drivers present at the ceremony took the stage and the champions of each class spoke to represent the group.

　Fujinami, who earned the GT300 champion title for the first time in 2 years commented, “Thank you for all your support. I was able to become champion again. Although there were some difficult races along the way, I am very happy about being able to win the title in the end. I will work hard next season too, so thank you in advance for your continued support.”

 

  

 

　Hiramine who clutched the championship for the first time in his career, and also earned his team a GT500 class drivers title for the first time since 1995(*) stated, “There were some rough times during my driving career, but thanks to the support of many people, I finally was able to become champion. I am still immature both as a driver and as a person, but I would like to develop in both ways as I race against with more drivers in the future. I am looking forward to competing next year with all of you who are here today.” Hiramine reflected on his racing career and voiced his goals for next season.
*The last title was earned in the All-Japan GT Championship. As a team title, the last title was in 1994 (as HOSHINO RACING).

 

　Competing in the GT500 class for the 9th year, Baguette, who earned his first title after joining TEAM IMPUL from this season commented, “Minasan konbanwa (“Good evening everybody” in Japanese). I would like to express my deepest appreciation for everyone. Nissan, NISMO, team manager Hoshino, Calsonic, Bridgestone, my partner Kazuki (Hiramine), Chairman Bandoh of the GTA, and rivals I have raced on the course. Thank you very much everyone, and I will see you next year.” Baguette expressed his gratitude for his first earned title.

 

 

 

【Closing the Ceremony】

 

　The “SUPER GT HEROES 2022” made its way to a grand ending as GTA Chairman Bandoh readdressed words of appreciation towards this season. Also, the progress of the “SUPER GT Green Project 2030”, involving the introduction of Carbon Neutral Fuel, and the publicity of SUPER GT and its further brand development was mentioned as he stated strongly, “In 2030 I would still like to present races with sound (exhaust note). We will further continue our effort and forge ahead as we aim for SUPER GT to be a race in which attracts many people.” Chairman Bandoh’s promises were the closing words to the ceremony, thus bringing the SUPER GT season to a finale.

 

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