2023.11.06

2023 AUTOBACS SUPER GT Series Champion

■GT500 class Series Champion and Race Winner Comments

 

 

GT500 class

No. 36 au TOM'S GR Supra
Sho Tsuboi
“We won! Yeh! This is big for me because I never thought I would be winning a second title at this age. In this race it would have been enough for us to finish 2nd (to take title) but everyone on the team was determined to go for the win. At first, it was difficult to pass the cars in front, but with effort it was finally possible move forward. (In the second half) Miyata-san faced some difficult conditions, but in the end, he was able to get us to the goal and the win. (This season) we thought that we could get the championship title if we got three wins, and the fact that we were able to do that made this a great season.”

 

 

 

 

Ritomo Miyata

“We did it! If things had finished as they were, car No. 3 would have won. But, I think we were the ones who were able to run a strong race despite the difficult conditions. (Since we were starting from 3rd position) we knew we would have been able to win the championship if we just passed one car, and Tsuboi-san was able to do that for us. When I was driving, I had fast cars behind me and was afraid of being passed, but I think I was able to put on a good show (by finishing 1st) in the end.”

 

 

 

 

GT300 class Series Champion Comments

No. 52 SAITAMATOYOPET GB GR Supra GT
Hiroki Yoshida
“Thank you. But my stint (in the second half) wasn’t easy and it was hard to compete, not only for the title but also in the battle against the other teams in the final stages of the race. I am first of all relieved. This team is in its seventh year, and at first it was a dealer team with mechanics modifying production cars, but they kept challenging. As drivers, to get this result (the title) under the pressure of such difficult conditions, I believe this championship will give a great confidence boost to everyone on the team.”

 

 

 

 

Kohta Kawaai
“Saitama Toyopet has done it! Thank you everyone! Today it was tough starting from 7th position on the grid. We went with a strategy of not changing our tires, so I had to take that into account in my driving. Our rivals were fast, but (with the title was involved) I couldn’t press too hard. At the last stage, conditions were tough for Yoshida-san, and I think we owe everything to how well he held out. I really want to thank everyone who has supported our team over these seven years, everyone in the company and all the fans, for enabling us to run this season.”

 

 

 

 

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