Japanese
One of Japan's largest exhibitions of custom cars and products that now draws attention from car maniacs of all around the world, TOKYO AUTO SALON 2024 was held at Makuhari Messe in Chiba Prefecture from January 12th (Fri) to 15th (Sun). The venue was filled with a variety of booth once again this year under popular names of SUPER GT teams and automakers, including Toyota, Honda, Nissan, and Subaru, which must have attracted and raised expectations for the opening of the 2024-season from the SUPER GT fans.
■3 GT500 class race cars were put on display again this year at SUPER GT booth.
SUPER GT booth was set up on the 2nd floor alley in East hall again this year decorated with 3 GT500 cars on display. No.14 ENEOS X PRIME GR Supra that competed in the 2023-season from TOYOTA GAZOO Racing, No.23 MOTUL AUTECH GT-R (2019-model) that supported the 14 years of glory of NISSAN/NISMO, and Honda NSX-GT test car wearing No.99 that retired after 2023-season and became rare to see from Honda/NRC provided opportunities to the fans to relive good old memories.
No.14 ENEOS X PRIME GR Supra（2023-model)
No.99 NSX-GT（test car)
No.23 MOTUL AUTECH GT-R（2019-model)
Backdrop with 2023 champion cars, No.36 au TOM’S GR Supra (GT500 class) and No.52 SAITAMATOYOPET GB GR Supra GT (GT300 class), was set up next to the displayed cars as a photo spot.
The booth also accepted inquiries regarding joining SUPER GT's official fan club, SUPER GT Supporter Club, as well as provided information on the SUPER GT annual pass that is only available to the members of SUPER GT Supporter Club. Wider variety of official merchandises were offered at the booth. 2024-version of different products were on display prior to the new season and reservations for purchase were accepted at the booth.
■2024 team lineup unveiled by SUBARU and UPGARAGE.
Press conference was held at the SUBARU/STI booth where Yasuo Hiraoka, the president of SUBARU TECNICA INTERNATIONAL INC., provided a detail of their 2024 motorsports activity. The team will continue its participation from last year in the GT300 class in SUPER GT. Collaboration between R&D Sports and STI remains which will field a SUBARU BRZ GT300. Team leaders, Team general manager Masahiro Ozawa and Team manager Minoru Sawada, and driver lineup of Takuto Iguchi and Hideki Yamauchi will stay the same.
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President Hiraoka expressed the team's determination, "We couldn't start off the 2023-season well and struggled to score points, but we were able to regain the speed we originally had in the second half of the season. We built up confidence in various places including how to utilize the tires, so we are determined and committed to put all of our efforts in winning the championship no matter what. Aerodynamics has improved on the car and we've got better significantly at setting up the car to maximize the tire performance since the later half of 2023. After extensive research on the carbon neutral fuel (CNF) that will be deployed from this year, we have no issues in developing and running the car, so we should be able to compete with confidence."
At the UPGARAGE booth, Team manager Makoto Ishida introduced drivers and race queens of TEAM UPGARAGE that will be competing in the GT300 class in the 2024-season. Driver lineup will remain with the duo of Takashi Kobayashi and Syun Koide who won 2 races and contested for the title in the 2023-season.
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Ace driver Kobayashi commented, "We scored 2 wins last year but missed the champion title by various reasons including the 0.6 mm (disqualified at Round 6 SUGO due to minimum road clearance breach after the race), but we will score 3 wins to grab the title this year. Please root for us again this year!"
Koide followed, "I'm glad I can drive for UPGARAGE again this year. Being the debut year, there were situations where things got nervous last year, but I was able to contribute in winning 2 races. It could've been 3 though... but we will bounce back from that and win 3 races for sure this year. I'm sure we can do that with these members and your support will definitely help!" Fans gathered at the venue responded with applause and shouted "Go for it!"
■Collection of 2024 SUPER GT machines at Tokyo Auto Salon
※Excluding cars mentioned above. Respective booth and car names beneath photo.
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| 4/13-14 | Round1 OKAYAMA | |
| 5/03-04 | Round2 FUJI | |
| 6/01-02 | Round3 SUZUKA | |
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8/03-04 | Round4 FUJI |
| 8/31-9/01 | Round5 SUZUKA | |
| 9/21-22 | Round6 SUGO | |
| 10/19-20 | Round7 AUTOPOLIS | |
| 11/02-03 | Round8 MOTEGI |
