2023.12.03

Honda Racing THANKS DAY 2023 held. Fans are shown the last run of the NSX-GT and the impressive CIVIC TYPE R-GT for next season’s GT500 class

　This year’s Honda Racing THANKS DAY 2023 was held at the Mobility Resort Motegi in Tochigi Prefecture and some 15,400 fans turned out for the event. On hand for the event were the drivers and teams and machines participating with Honda support in the AUTOBACS SUPER GT, and drivers and riders participating in 2-wheeled and 4-wheeled races with Honda machines both in Japan and abroad came together to be introduced. Since this year’s event was held in December the temperatures were cold in the morning and evening, but that didn’t affect the fans who rushed to the event with enthusiasm and excitement.

 

 

【Honda Racing Kart Cup】

 

　Being a Honda motor sports event, attractions featuring collaborations between motorcycle riders and car drivers were especially popular, and at the competition titled the Honda Racing Kart Cup that started at 8:30 in the morning saw appearances by famous 2-wheeled and 4-wheeled racing stars competing in motorcycle and car racing series both in Japan and abroad, and in this event they competed in teams with one rider and one driver each. Among the competitors in this kart race were Toshiki Oyu (No. 8 ARTA MUGEN NSX-GT), Nirei Fukuzumi and Hiroki Otsu (No. 16 ARTA MUGEN NSX-GT), Koudai Tsukakoshi and Nobuharu Matsushita (No.17 Astemo NSX-GT), Takuya Izawa and Kakunoshin Ota (No. 64 Modulo NSX-GT), and Tadasuke Makino (No. 100 STANLEY NSX-GT). Each of these drivers paired with a motorcycle rider, but due to the number of participants, the two car drivers Izawa and Tsukakoshi ended up racing as a pair. However, as a handicap, these two could not participate in the qualifying and had to start the race from the back of the pack. The qualifying runs were made by the motorcycle racers, while the race was competed over 12 laps with each team making a driver change mid-way.

 

 

 

 

 

　In the final race, there were intense battles taking place around the track that gave it the appearance of true hot-blooded racing. And among the competitors it was the Izawa/Tsukakoshi pair that especially stood out for their speed. Driving the first half of the race, Izawa was able to jump up to 3rd position at the start and hold a strong pace after that. In the second half of the race, Tsukakoshi also pushed hard and in the end, he was able to pass all the other competitors and take the checkered flag first.

 

 

 

 

 

 

【This is CIVIC TYPE R】

 

　On the racetrack, the CIVIC TYPE R-GT machine that will compete in next season’s GT500 class made its appearance. It was there that the “This is CIVIC TYPE R” event took place, which also saw demonstration runs made on the track by the CIVIC TYPE R car that competes in production model and Super Taikyu races.

 

　The No. 99 CIVIC TYPE R-GT (test car) with its black body was driven by Makino. First, three other CIVIC TYPE R cars started out. About a minute later, car No. 99 made its start. But soon it was clearly gaining on the other TYPE R cars, and by the it entered the second lap it had overtaken all the other cars, thus making a clear demonstration to the fans of the performance of the GT500 machine.

 

 

 

 

 

 

【Honda Racing All line up & Photosession】

 

　At 11:40 all of the driver and riders appearing the day lines up on the home straight for the “Honda Racing All line up & Photo session.” Honda Motor Co., Ltd. Senior Managing Executive Officer, Shinji Aoyama, addressed the crowd, saying that once again this year it was the support of the fans that enabled Honda to participate with success in a variety of races. Then he thanked them sincerely for continuing to cheer for Honda.

 

 

  

 

 

　Also making an appearance before the fans for the first time in two and a half months was driver Naoki Yamamoto, who had suffered an injury in an accident in the SUPER GT Round 6 race at SUGO and had to sit out he last races of the season. He then made a speech on behalf of all the 4-wheel drivers. He said that he believed it was the fans cheering them on that gave the riders and drivers the strength to give their all in the races. He added that personally as well, having been injured this season and thus unable to compete in the final rounds, he still received kind encouragement from many people. He went on to say that he was now undergoing rehabilitation, everyone’s continued support it a big encouragement for him. And when he ended his speech by saying this has been a year that made him feel anew how important that support can be, he received a big round of applause from the crowd in the stands.

 

 

  

 

 

 

【Autograph Session and Pit Walk】

 

　This year’s Honda Racing THANKS DAY saw the return of direct “Exchange between Competitors and the Fans” that had not been possible during the Covid-19 pandemic. The “Honda Racing THANKS DAY Autograph Session” that had always been an important part this event was finally held again. In addition, the premium Pit Walk open to people who bought the special ticket was held, and the rider and drivers all came out in front of the pit area to offer their service to the fans. There they gave autographs and had pictures taken with the gathered fans.

 

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

【NSX-GT Last Race】

 

　Then, on the racetrack an “NSX-GT Last Race” event was held. This was a demonstration race by the Honda NSX-GT machine that will retire from racing in the GT500 class as of this season. Here a model of the RAYBRIG NSX-GT machine that won the championship for TEAM KUNIMITSU in 2018 was prepared, and Yamamoto and Makino made their appearance in the RAYBRIG racing suits that they wore in the 2020 season. However, because Yamamoto was still undergoing rehabilitation, he could not drive, and taking his place in a surprise appearance was Takuma Sato, who is currently competing in the American Indy Car Series.

 

 

 

 

 

　The race included five NSX-GT machines in a demonstration race that played out with intense battles just like the real thing, as well as scenes that drew laughter in the driver changes in the pit like could only happen in an event like this, with the result that there was no lack of excitement and things to see. In the end, all five cars lined up to take the checkered flag together as the fans cheered to see the last NSX-GT race.

 

 

  

 

 

 

【Finale】

 

　In the finale, the 2-wheeler and 4-wheeler machines, including an F1 machine and MotoGP bikes, ran an impressive demonstration lap around the track, delivering the exciting sounds of the famous Honda machines for a fitting finale to the event.

 

 

 

 

  

 

  

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