2023.06.04

【GTA Regular Press Conference: Rd.3 Suzuka】 GTA Chairman Bandoh speaks on delay of GT300 CNF introduction.

GTA's regular press conference was held in the morning of June 4th (Sun), the race day of SUZUKA GT 450km RACE, Round 3 of the 2023 AUTOBACS SUPER GT, and Masaaki Bandoh, the chairman of GTA Co., Ltd, explained about the decision to postpone the introduction of the carbon neutral fuel, GTA R100, produced by Haltermann Carless, to the GT300 class.

Carbon Neutral Fuel (hereafter CNF) has already been deployed to the GT500 class from the opening round of this season and was planned to be introduced to the GT300 class from the Suzuka round, however, a decision was made at the board meeting held on May 30th to postpone the plan. "With the temperature being quite low at the season opener and the second round, we observed a tendency of CNF getting mixed with engine oil if it was used for racing engines because the volatility of CNF is lower than the high-octane gasoline. This was already pointed out widely as a characteristic of CNF, but we haven't seen any troubles in the GT500 class so far because the manufacturers had implemented their solutions. However, with the vast variety of cars made by different automakers, it is difficult to do the same in the GT300 class. We sent CNF to the manufacturers of GT3 cars in Europe and had them test it, but, although there was no issue on the bench, some problem was found around volatility and dilution in turbo and direct-injection engine when it was tested on the actual cars. That would require modifications in the oil catch can, blow-by, etc., and, since there are many customer-teams in GT300, we cannot increase burden on each team." Chairman Bandoh explained the reason and process that led to the postponement of the introduction.

"However, we are all on the same page on the use of CNF, so we will proceed in that direction. On the other hand, there are actually requests for little more improvement, so we will keep on going with as is in the GT500 and put the plan for GT300 on hold and try to create something that can be used from next season." The chairman concluded by saying that a working team consist of specialists from domestic automakers and GT Entrant Association will be created to discuss on the solution and interact closely with stakeholders from the European GT3 manufacturers as well as Haltermann Carless to determine a solution carefully.

 

 

 

 

Page Top