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Super GT Series Rd. 1: Podium Finish for Nissan Z


March 2005
 Filed under: NISSAN Car News | NISSAN Headlines
2005 SUPER GT series Rd. 1 Race Report
Date: Mar. 27, 2005
Place: Okayama International Circuit (Okayama, Japan)
Weather: Cloudy (16c) (dry)

The opening round of SUPER GT was held in Okayama International Circuit on March 27 with 59,100 spectators. G’ZOX HASEMI Z (#3) with Toshihiro Kaneishi and Erik Comas finished 3rd place on the podium. Motul Pitwork Z (#22) with Michael Krumm and Masataka Yanagida had started the race from pole position, but had spun out at early stage and lost positions. The car finished the race in 12th place. Xanavi NISMO Z (#1) driven by Satoshi Motoyama and Richard Lyons followed the #22 at second at start and led the race but retired from mechanical problems. Calsonic Impul Z (#12) started the race from 13th, had collision with other cars and retired from its damage.

The two NISMO cars which dominated the front row had already shown high performance through the qualifying session the previous day, and was definitely the center of all attentions. At 2:00 pm, the formation lap began for the green light a lap later but rookie Masataka Yanagida on pole was immediately overtaken by Motoyama on #1 and the #25 Supra from both sides. Misfortune followed as another car pushed Yanagida out on 2nd corner. Yanagida’s Z spun out to the gravels. #22 Z could not get out by itself, and lost 3 laps. Yanagida’s debut in GT500 turned very bitter, as now he was to pursue others from far behind.

Meanwhile, Motoyama on #1 Z led the race after it overtook #22. Although it once gave a way to #25 Supra in fierce pursuit, the car #1 recovered top position on lap 23. The car kept the lead until it pitted on lap 38. The car retuned to the track after quick pit work to its original position, and gradually increased the lead between other cars. However, the car had suffered a puncture and returned to pit on lap 54 after contact with other cars. The car fell to 9th place, and returned to the race but had to make another pit stop on lap 57. The car could not shift the gear from transmission problem and had to retire from race.

#22 Z eventually managed to escape the gravel bed, and continued to make laps without any mistakes. Yanagida passed the car on to Michael Krumm who scored the fastest lap time during the qualifying session, and Krumm kept the car in the steady pace with the speed of top contestants, and finished the race in 12th place after it had once dropped to overall 40th in the accident at the beginning.

On #3 Z, Toshihiro Kaneishi started the race and it gradually improved the position overtaking other cars. On lap 37, Erik Comas took over the wheels and he too made aggressive pursuit. On lap 54, the car made it to 3rd place, and it kept the position to the checkered flag.

Hiroshi Degawa, the Team Manager quoted, “It was very unfortunate for our two cars because they were doing very good. #1 could have won the race if it wasn’t for that problem that came out at the worst moment. Last year, we had some luck on our side, but I guess we didn’t have them today. Still, we are very happy with our performance, so we can retrieve the win in Fuji. Yanagida’s debut in GT500 was an initiation to him from the seniors. But this would be a good lesson for him, and he was able to recover his pace.”

Erik Comas said, “this is my 10th year to race in Japan. It means a lot to me and coming in 3rd place was very good. This year, Z is very competitive, and I know we have to put on weights now, but it will be important to win as many points as possible at the beginning of the season.”

“The car was very good, and we had good lap time so I thought we could win,” said Richard Lyons. “So that problem was a shame. We have to try hard to get good result in Fuji.”

Masataka Yanagida experienced a bittersweet weekend. “Even though I was pushed out, I still had to get back on track. I feel so bad to the team and our fans. But I have to learn from my experience, and it has to reflect on my future races. I have to concentrate on the next race in Fuji now.”
The two NISMO cars which dominated the front row had already shown high performance through the qualifying session the previous day, and was definitely the center of all attentions. At 2:00 pm, the formation lap began for the green light a lap later but rookie Masataka Yanagida on pole was immediately overtaken by Motoyama on #1 and the #25 Supra from both sides. Misfortune followed as another car pushed Yanagida out on 2nd corner. Yanagida’s Z spun out to the gravels. #22 Z could not get out by itself, and lost 3 laps. Yanagida’s debut in GT500 turned very bitter, as now he was to pursue others from far behind.

Meanwhile, Motoyama on #1 Z led the race after it overtook #22. Although it once gave a way to #25 Supra in fierce pursuit, the car #1 recovered top position on lap 23. The car kept the lead until it pitted on lap 38. The car retuned to the track after quick pit work to its original position, and gradually increased the lead between other cars. However, the car had suffered a puncture and returned to pit on lap 54 after contact with other cars. The car fell to 9th place, and returned to the race but had to make another pit stop on lap 57. The car could not shift the gear from transmission problem and had to retire from race.

#22 Z eventually managed to escape the gravel bed, and continued to make laps without any mistakes. Yanagida passed the car on to Michael Krumm who scored the fastest lap time during the qualifying session, and Krumm kept the car in the steady pace with the speed of top contestants, and finished the race in 12th place after it had once dropped to overall 40th in the accident at the beginning.

On #3 Z, Toshihiro Kaneishi started the race and it gradually improved the position overtaking other cars. On lap 37, Erik Comas took over the wheels and he too made aggressive pursuit. On lap 54, the car made it to 3rd place, and it kept the position to the checkered flag.

Hiroshi Degawa, the Team Manager quoted, “It was very unfortunate for our two cars because they were doing very good. #1 could have won the race if it wasn’t for that problem that came out at the worst moment. Last year, we had some luck on our side, but I guess we didn’t have them today. Still, we are very happy with our performance, so we can retrieve the win in Fuji. Yanagida’s debut in GT500 was an initiation to him from the seniors. But this would be a good lesson for him, and he was able to recover his pace.”

Erik Comas said, “this is my 10th year to race in Japan. It means a lot to me and coming in 3rd place was very good. This year, Z is very competitive, and I know we have to put on weights now, but it will be important to win as many points as possible at the beginning of the season.”

“The car was very good, and we had good lap time so I thought we could win,” said Richard Lyons. “So that problem was a shame. We have to try hard to get good result in Fuji.”

Masataka Yanagida experienced a bittersweet weekend. “Even though I was pushed out, I still had to get back on track. I feel so bad to the team and our fans. But I have to learn from my experience, and it has to reflect on my future races. I have to concentrate on the next race in Fuji now.”

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