2023.11.04

【GTA Regular Press Conference: Rd.8 Motegi】 GTA Chairman Bandoh shares thoughts on this season as well as new initiatives awaiting next year.

　SUPER GT's operating body, GTA Co., Ltd, held a regular press conference in the morning of November 4th, the qualifying day of the MOTEGI 300km RACE GRAND FINAL, Round 8 of the 2023 AUTOBACS SUPER GT series.

　"It looks like we can have the qualifying under a clear sky, and I think tomorrow (race day's weather) will be fine too. I am sure all teams will put all necessary efforts to show fantastic performance in the qualifying as well as the race." GTA Chairman Masaaki Bandoh opened his remarks with a smile on his face and continued on to share his thoughts on the various initiatives that started this season.

　He firstly touched on the environmental initiative. "Since it was the first year, we put our hands on things that we can do. It is not yet clear if everything we've done were correct, but we needed to transform motorsports with future in mind." He explained the underlying intent and continued, "For the carbon neutral fuel (hereafter CNF), after spending 2 years in bench testing and then actual track testing by using the fuel on the race cars, we were able to introduce synfuel, GTA R100, that does not contain any fossil fuel to the GT500 class this season after resolving issues around dilution and volatility. However, we couldn't use the same fuel in the GT300 class." Bandoh shared current situation of CNF deployment.
Explanation continued on to the new fuel that will be deployed to the GT300 class based on the outcome produced until now. Bandoh revealed that an actual track test by using the new fuel with 50% synfuel, GTA R50, will take place on the subsequent Monday after the event at Mobility Resort Motegi. 6 cars, No. 2 GR86, No. 30 GR86, No. 31 LC500h, No. 52 Supra, No. 61 BRZ, No. 65 AMG, will participate in the test. "Since it is 50% synfuel, I believe there won't be any issues. 300 liters of the fuel will be provided per car for the test. If we can do it under these circumstances, then there is no doubt (on the usage). This is the direction we want to go." Bandoh did not hesitate to demonstrate his motivation. According to the plan, and if there won't be any issues from the test, the new fuels, GTA R100 and GTA R50, will be deployed to GT500 and GT300 classes, respectively, from next season.

 

 

 

 

　Chairman Bandoh moved on to the 450km race that was adopted in 5 races in 8 events this season. He explained that the long distance was needed for the goal of creating tires that would last longer instead of having better grip to accommodate the restriction on the number of sets of tires that can be brought to an event. As a trial for the initiative, the Autopolis race adopted the race distance of 450km for the first time this season. "Like the fuel, we also have a new plan for the race format for next season which we are considering to have 4 different race formats, 300km race, 450km race, 300mile race, and hour race. In addition, we will reduce the number of tires that can be brought to an event by 1 more set." The chairman announced a new plan that will be introduced based on the success achieved this season. "In addition to the cooperation we asked to the tire manufacturers, we would want to put our focus more on the subjects related to 'SDGs (Sustainable Development Goals)' in order to create races with a longer race distance." SUPER GT has been working on multiple projects under "SUPER GT Green Project 2030" from this season and for the goal of reducing carbon dioxide by 50% by 2030, the series has first started the use of recycled materials. "It is difficult to gauge where we are against the target. Since we cannot identify any numbers that will lead to 50%, we need to hire an expert to find the most significant element for achieving the goal and what we need to do for it. Around 400,000 people gather in a year and everybody come on a car. We cannot stop that, but we would want to see more people coming to the events too. So, we need to capture and show in a number next year." Bandoh emphasized there will be an initiative at a next level. Nonetheless, he gave a positive review on this year's initiatives, "It was effective. I believe it was a sure first step. We could be doing something wrong, but I think the direction will become clearer if we continue building up. We will continue to put effort in this approach."

 

 

 

 

　The topic changed to the enhancement of safety measures. "Driver's misperception is a big factor. I believe some accidents were caused by it, so we need to improve the quality. There are discussions around the controlling the speed would lead to safety, but what we are doing is already at the top of the grand touring car in the whole world and that is where our discussion originates." For next season, there will be restrictions on the aerodynamics and also, for the ground clearance of GT500 cars, the skid block will be reconsidered. For GT300 cars, though, the chairman revealed that it would be very difficult to change the ground clearance, etc., because many relate also to the homologation of the FIA GT3, hence, at this point, the governing body is considering the measure by adjusting the weight like at the Okayama event of last season. Anyways, according to Bandoh, some directions will be announced before the season opener of next season.

　At the regular press conference held during the previous event at Autopolis, the GTA Chairman explained that he was going to request for creating tires of wider range in his meeting with Bridgestone CEO Shuichi Ishibashi. "Main point would be whether the tire can match the temperature range. There is also abrasion coefficient. Abrasion coefficient would change depending on the track surface temperature. We would want to request for tires that can last longer after broadening the abrasion coefficient. And then improve the quality after all these are addressed." He shared a summary of request made during the meeting. "Dunlop and Yokohama are also looking into various options from the same perspective. We are talking with all tire manufacturers on the reduction of the number of tires allowed to bring in by 1 set from next season as we head to the same direction." It seems the agreement is already obtained from the tire manufacturers.

　"We are now free from the COVID-19 measures and the fans are back to the circuits. We need to have our feet on the ground and put efforts in maintaining the series with an eye towards the future. I want to establish high-quality motorsports and make it visible to the world. There is nothing higher than this grand touring (car race) out of all grand touring in the world." Chairman Bandoh shared his passion through his comments. He promised to firmly and surely move forward to realize the projects next season.

 

 

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