https://www.zerotohundred.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/05/gtr11-600x399.jpg
Originally set as the opening round for the 2011 Super GT season, the postponed first round was finally held and saw the Calsonic Impul GT-R, piloted by Tsugio Matsuda and Joao Paolo de Oliviera, take victory after starting from second place to make it two out of two wins for the Nissan GT-R.
Dark skies were hovering over the qualifying session but unfortunately decided to break on the morning of race day instead, leaving the track waterlogged and causing the cancellation of the morning practice session.
The race was flagged off in the afternoon on a damp track that made it difficult for track surface temperatures to rise. Nonetheless, Oliviera, who was the starting driver, never let the Keihin HSV-010 in pole pull away as the leading two separated from the chasing pack. The car dove into the pits on lap 30 for a driver change and Matsuda exited right behind the Motul Autech GT-R that was driven by Satoshi Motoyama and Benoit Treluyer. However, the Motul Autech car hadn’t pitted yet and when it did a few laps later, the Calsonic Impul GT-R was in the lead.
Matsuda then had to fend off the Keihin HSV-010 that clung tightly to his rear. The Keihin car did try to pull ahead on lap 45 through a desperate attempt that didn’t come off cleanly and forced the rear to slide out, hitting the rear of the GT-R and sending it into a spin.
Matsuda was now in second but two laps later, the Keihin HSV-010 was called in for a drive-through penalty, handing the lead back to Matsuda, who in turn never looked like relinquishing the lead as he kept the lead all the way to the chequered flag.
The winners of the previous round, the Motul Autech GT-R, started from twelfth on the grid due to the 40kg success ballast imposed from their victory. That meant the team employed a risky strategy that saw them keep starting driver Treluyer in the seat for long sting, pitting for fuel only on lap 42 and a driver switch as well, coming back out in fifth spot.
Motoyama, despite driving on worn tyres, put in some solid laps to cross the line in fifth, a huge achievement for the team.
The entire circus now packs up and heads for our shores for the third round of the 2011 Super GT series that promises to be a spectacular race and show for the fans.
https://www.zerotohundred.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/05/gtr21-600x399.jpg
Originally set as the opening round for the 2011 Super GT season, the postponed first round was finally held and saw the Calsonic Impul GT-R, piloted by Tsugio Matsuda and Joao Paolo de Oliviera, take victory after starting from second place to make it two out of two wins for the Nissan GT-R.
Dark skies were hovering over the qualifying session but unfortunately decided to break on the morning of race day instead, leaving the track waterlogged and causing the cancellation of the morning practice session.
The race was flagged off in the afternoon on a damp track that made it difficult for track surface temperatures to rise. Nonetheless, Oliviera, who was the starting driver, never let the Keihin HSV-010 in pole pull away as the leading two separated from the chasing pack. The car dove into the pits on lap 30 for a driver change and Matsuda exited right behind the Motul Autech GT-R that was driven by Satoshi Motoyama and Benoit Treluyer. However, the Motul Autech car hadn’t pitted yet and when it did a few laps later, the Calsonic Impul GT-R was in the lead.
Matsuda then had to fend off the Keihin HSV-010 that clung tightly to his rear. The Keihin car did try to pull ahead on lap 45 through a desperate attempt that didn’t come off cleanly and forced the rear to slide out, hitting the rear of the GT-R and sending it into a spin.
Matsuda was now in second but two laps later, the Keihin HSV-010 was called in for a drive-through penalty, handing the lead back to Matsuda, who in turn never looked like relinquishing the lead as he kept the lead all the way to the chequered flag.
The winners of the previous round, the Motul Autech GT-R, started from twelfth on the grid due to the 40kg success ballast imposed from their victory. That meant the team employed a risky strategy that saw them keep starting driver Treluyer in the seat for long sting, pitting for fuel only on lap 42 and a driver switch as well, coming back out in fifth spot.
Motoyama, despite driving on worn tyres, put in some solid laps to cross the line in fifth, a huge achievement for the team.
The entire circus now packs up and heads for our shores for the third round of the 2011 Super GT series that promises to be a spectacular race and show for the fans.
https://www.zerotohundred.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/05/gtr21-600x399.jpg
