2024.04.14

Round 1 Race Winner's comments

No.36 au TOM'S GR Supra
Sho Tsuboi/strong
“I was able to successfully pull off the start dash I had aimed for, but I never expected it to go as well as it did. I knew right away that we were capable of a strong pace, so I wanted to expand our lead as much as I could. (As Yamashita-san told me beforehand) I knew that a 20-sec. would surely be out of the question (wry smile) but working together with Yamashita-san and the team, we put together a good race and succeeded in taking a straight-out pole-to-goal win. So, I am really happy.”

 

Kenta Yamashita

“As we expected, (the second half) was going to be a long haul, so I ran with plenty of concern for the wear on the tires. From the final 10 laps of the race, I ran at the usual pace, but in the end, I found that the tires had plenty (of performance) left in them and was able to keep control. I thought that I might be able to increase the gap (over the competition) but it is just good that we won. I hope we can make it two straight wins at Fuji in the next round.”

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

No.2 muta Racing GR86 GT
Yuui Tsutsumi
“(Last year) we were just unable to win, to the point that I thought there might be something wrong with me and Taira-san as a team (laughs), but since we have gotten a good start now by winning the first race of the 2024 season, I’m really looking forward to the rest of the season. Hearing that for the people who won in GT500 this time it was their third straight win in a row (since last year), I want to do what I can to see us keep winning. But as they say, “You must keep up your guard even after a victory,” so I want to concentrate on doing my best.”

 

Hibiki Taira
「 “Haisai! (an Okinawan expression) I am so glad we have won our first race! Last year we had a succession of disappointing 2nd place finishes, and that made us work with the determination that this will be our year, so I am so glad that we have been able to win this opening round.”

 

 

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