2024.03.16

【Official Tests Okayama: Explanation of Regulation Revisions】 Chairman Bandoh and others explain this season’s revisions in qualifying format and reduction in tire numbers

　On the first day of the Official Tests at Okayama, an explanation session for the press was held during the noon interval between test sessions with GTA Chairman Masaaki Bandoh, Race Director Naoki Hattori, and Race Division General Manager Taku Sawame in attendance to explain the contents of the new qualifying format adopted from this season.

　The explanation session opened with a speech by Chairman Bandoh, in which he said that in order to promote understanding of the new regulations introduced from this season, it was decided to be best to get the members of the media to understand the revisions as a means to help ensure that the spectators wouldn’t be asking why such regulation changes had to be made. He then went on to say that was the reason for this explanation session.

 

 

 

◎Reduction in number of tires to be used
　Next, General Manager Sawame explained the change in the regulations regarding the number of tire sets to be used. It was explained that from this season, three race formats would be adopted, 300-km races, 350-km races, and 3-hour races, and that the conditions for the number of tire sets would be different for each format (refer to the link below). This regulation change means that compared to the time before the COVID-19 epidemic (the number of dry-use tire sets each team could bring to a round was seven sets) there will be a reduction of one set per/car, which means a 35% reduction, equaling 21 fewer tires in the season.
* Regulation revision outline (reduction in tires used)

 

◎Intention of the new qualifying format
　Following this, an explanation of the new qualifying format was given, and it was said to be the result of consideration about how the tires would be used during race weekend in light of the new reduction in the number of tires to be used. With regard to this, Race Director Hattori said he believed that the teams would have to give a lot of consideration to the decision about which drivers would drive in Q1 and Q2. He said it will be very difficult to get fast times running on used tires in Q2, and under such conditions, it will be necessary to run in a way that puts restraints on the machine’s performance, which he personally believes to be one of the appeals of SUPER GT’s style of racing. Then he expressed his expectations for the new qualifying format by saying that they will look carefully at the results of the two qualifying simulations being run at Okayama and Fuji Speedway in order to show the spectators good qualifying sessions.
*Outline of the new qualifying format


　In closing, Chairman Bandoh said that this regulation change will surely result in a variety of difficulties, but it is all for the aim of continuing to “Offer the spectators filling the stands racing with the same powerful sound,” while always remaining in line with SUPER GT’s 2030 (*) sustainability goals. He went on to say that although there will surely be difficulties along the way, the aim will always be GTA’s desire to bring the spectators fascinating races that will make them want to come to the circuits again and again. Finally, Chairman Bandoh expressed his hopes for this season, saying that this is the kind of races he (and GTA) will continue to work toward, and that this season will be one step in the process toward delivering races that the fans want to see.

*2030 is the target date for goals of the “Environmental response roadmap “SUPER GT Green Project 2030” announced in November 2022. This roadmap is an outline of the environmental measures aimed at contributing to a sustainable society, as well an outline of the direction of GTA’s efforts to use SUPER GT as a platform to heighten spectator satisfaction in motorsports.

 

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