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Super GT

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Super GT
CategorySports car racing
Country
  • Japan Japan (2020-present)
  • Thailand Thailand (2014–2019)
  • Malaysia Malaysia (2005–2013)
Inaugural season
  • 1993 (as JGTC)
  • 2005 (as Super GT)
Teams
  • 15 (GT500)
  • 28 (GT300)
  • 43 (total)
Tyre suppliers
Drivers' championGT500:
Japan Sho Tsuboi
Japan Ritomo Miyata
GT300:
Japan Hiroki Yoshida
Japan Kohta Kawaai
Makes' championGT500: Toyota
GT300: Toyota
Teams' championGT500: TGR Team au TOM'S
GT300: Saitama Green Brave
Official websiteSuperGT.net
Current season

Super GT (stylized as SUPER GT) is a sports car racing series that began in 1993. Launched as the Zen Nihon GT Senshuken (全日本GT選手権), generally referred to as the All Japan Grand Touring Car Championship (JGTC), the series was renamed to Super GT in 2005. It is the top level of sports car racing in Japan.

The series is sanctioned by the Japan Automobile Federation (JAF) and run by the GT Association (GTA). Autobacs has been the title sponsor of the series and its predecessor since 1998.

History

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The JGTC years (1993–2004)

[edit]

The JGTC (Japanese Grand Touring Championship)[1] was established in 1993[2][3] by the Japan Automobile Federation (JAF) via its subsidiary company the GTA (GT Association), replacing the defunct All Japan Sports Prototype Championship for Group C cars and the Japanese Touring Car Championship for Group A touring cars, which instead would adopt the supertouring formula. Seeking to prevent the spiraling budgets and one-team/make domination of both series, JGTC imposed strict limits on power, and heavy weight penalties on race winners, in an openly stated objective to keep on-track action close with an emphasis on keeping fans happy.

Super GT (2005–present)

[edit]
2009 Lexus Petronas Team TOM's SC 430 GT500 champion.

The JGTC had planned to hold a race during the 2005 season at the Shanghai International Circuit in China, in addition to the existing overseas round at Sepang in Malaysia. However, holding the series in more than two countries would have meant the JGTC would lose its status as a "national championship" under the International Sporting Code of the FIA, and therefore could not keep "Japanese Championship" in its name. The series would instead be classified as an "international championship" by the FIA, and would therefore require direct authorization from it, rather than the JAF.

Initially, JAF announced JGTC would be renamed "Super GT World Challenge" with the goals of "challenge to the world", and "challenge to entertainment"; however, FIA prevented JAF from using it due to confusion of the suffix with "World Championship" (a higher level FIA recognition status) and a dispute with Sports Car Club of America, which ran Speed World Challenge since 1990.[citation needed] On December 10, 2004, it was announced that new name of JGTC was confirmed as "Super GT". However, despite the name change and several attempts at holding a second overseas race, Super GT has continued to only hold one overseas race per year; in theory, it could regain its status as a national championship and return to JAF jurisdiction.

In 2014, Super GT and the German touring car series DTM announced the creation of Class 1,[4] which would unify GT500's and DTM's technical regulations, allowing manufacturers to race in both series with a single specification of car. After some delays, technical regulations were fully aligned in 2020, with the GT500 category fully adopting Class One specifications.[5] By 2021 however, DTM switched to a Group GT3 series due to massive manufacturer exodus. Super GT maintained the current technical regulations for GT500, though the "Class 1" moniker would no longer be used.[6]

Races

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Super GT races take place on well-known Japanese race tracks such as Fuji Speedway, Suzuka Circuit, and Mobility Resort Motegi. The series also races at Autopolis in the Kyushu region, Okayama International Circuit in the Chugoku region, and Sportsland Sugo in the Tohoku region. Races are typically single events between 250 and 300 kilometres' distance, with one compulsory pit stop in the middle of the race for driver changes and refuelling. In 2022, the series introduced a new longer-distance format for select races, held over 450 kilometres with two compulsory pit stops.[7]

The series had already expanded internationally by the time it was rebranded in 2005. Sepang International Circuit in Malaysia hosted a championship round every year until 2014, when it was replaced by a new event at Chang International Circuit in Buriram, Thailand.[8] Additional overseas races were planned to be held at Shanghai Circuit in 2005, and Yeongam International Circuit in 2013,[9] but both events were cancelled. Buriram and Sepang were both on the 2020 provisional calendar, but both races were cancelled due to the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. As of the 2023 season, the series has yet to stage another race outside of Japan.

The International Suzuka 1000km endurance race in late August was the longest and most prestigious event on the Super GT calendar, from 2006 when it was added as a championship round, until 2017, the final year of the event in its 1000 km format. The Suzuka 1000 km was replaced with the Intercontinental GT Challenge Suzuka 10 Hours in 2018.[10][11] That year, Super GT revived the Fuji GT 500 Mile Race (805 km) as the series' new endurance round. It ran from 2018 to 2019, but was not renewed from 2020 onwards.

The Golden Week race at Fuji Speedway, held annually on May 4, is also considered to be the series' most prestigious event. Held during a major public holiday season, it regularly draws the largest crowds of any Super GT race, with a two-day attendance of 91,000 spectators in 2019.[12] It was the first event of the first official JGTC season in 1994, and has been a permanent fixture of the series' calendar with the exception of 2004, when the circuit was closed for renovations, and 2020, due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. Traditionally, this event has been run as the Fuji GT 500 km Race, but in 2022, the event was shortened to 450 km (100 laps).

Due to the effects of the 2009 energy crisis in Japan, the Fuji 500 km and Suzuka 1000 km race distances were shortened. The 2011 Tohoku earthquake and tsunami and its effects resulted in a further reduction in all race distances for the season, before standard distances were restored in 2012.

Non-championship rounds have been run sporadically during Super GT's history. The Fuji Sprint Cup was held from 2010 to 2013, consisting of two sprint races per class. The first annual Super GT x DTM Dream Race was held in November 2019, consisting of two sprint races for GT500 and DTM cars, supported by the auto sport Web Sprint Cup, two sprint races for select GT300 teams as well as one-off GT3 entries from other Japanese events.

Cars

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The cars are divided into two classes: GT500 and GT300. The names of the categories derive from their traditional maximum horsepower limit – in the early years of the series, GT500 cars would have no more than 500 horsepower, GT300 cars would max out at around 300 hp. However, the current generation of GT500 engines produce in excess of 650 horsepower. Meanwhile, in present-day GT300, the horsepower range varies from around 400 to just over 550 horsepower; however, GT300 cars have far less downforce than their GT500 counterparts.

In both groups, the car number is assigned to the team, in which each team is allowed to choose whichever number they want as long as the number isn't already used by any other team. The number assigned to each team is permanent, and may only change hands when the team exits the series. The number 1 is reserved for the defending GT500 champion, and the number 0 is reserved for the reigning GT300 champion.

For easy identification, headlight covers, windshield decals, and number panels are white on GT500 cars, and yellow on GT300 cars.

GT500

[edit]
2014 Super GT (GT500), Suzuka Circuit

The top class in Super GT, GT500, is composed entirely of manufacturer-supported teams, representing the three biggest Japanese automobile manufacturers: Toyota, Honda, and Nissan.

Since 2014, GT500 cars have been powered by single-turbocharged, inline four-cylinder engines with two liters of displacement and producing over 650 horsepower. The cars are silhouette racing cars with purpose-built carbon fibre monocoques. The advancements in aerodynamics and horsepower, combined with an ongoing tyre war driving even higher speeds, have made the GT500 class the fastest form of production-based sports car racing today. The pace of a current GT500 car is roughly equivalent to that of the fastest non-hybrid Le Mans Prototypes.[13]

For many years, the Nissan Skyline GT-R, the Toyota Supra, and the Honda NSX (NA1) represented their respective brands in GT500. Today, the three cars competing in GT500 are the Nissan Z (RZ34), the revived Toyota GR Supra, and the Honda Civic Type R (FL5). Other models, such as the Nissan Fairlady Z, Lexus SC 430, Lexus RC F, Lexus LC 500, Nissan GT-R, and the Honda NSX (NC1) have been used, as well as the Honda HSV-010 GT, a prototype car developed specifically for Super GT with its planned road-going variant having been cancelled.

In the earlier years of the GT500 category, a number of foreign manufacturers entered cars in the series, with varying success. The Porsche 911 GT2 and the BMW-powered McLaren F1 GTR are, to date, the only foreign cars to win the GT500 championship, when the former won the teams' title in 1995 and the latter won both titles in 1996. A longtail version of the F1 GTR would later score a race victory in 2001. The Ferrari F40, Porsche 911 Turbo, and Porsche 962. The last foreign-built car to enter the series was the Aston Martin DBR9, which fared poorly in its brief run in 2009 - illustrating the overwhelming advantage in raw pace that the GT500 class cars had over the FIA GT1 category cars that dominated the landscape in Europe; Team Goh, who entered the 1996 F1 GTRs, planned to enter a Maserati MC12 in 2006, but withdrew during testing for similar reasons.[14][15]

In 2012, the GT500 regulations was changed in order to provide provisions for four-door vehicles, although none was run until Honda announced that the Civic Type R will replace the outgoing NSX in 2024.[16] In 2010, front-engine, rear-wheel drive layout became the only permitted layout in the class, prompting Honda to initially replace the first generation-based NSX GT with the HSV-010. In 2014, Honda was granted a waiver to allow the NSX-Concept GT and NSX-GT (both second-generation based models) to run with a midship engine to match the road car's engine position; the waiver expired at the end of 2019 season with the implementation of Class 1 technical regulations, after which Honda was required to redesign the NSX-GT to accommodate a front-engine layout.[17]

New GT500 cars were introduced in 2014 in preparation for the future Class 1 Touring Cars, including the first car in the class to utilize a KERS-assisted hybrid powertrain, the Honda NSX Concept-GT. Common aerodynamic regulations with the DTM were adopted, as was Class 1's turbocharged four-cylinder engine specification. Furthermore, the 2014 rules overhaul also increased the cars' downforce by 30%, while lowering costs. Aerodynamic development above a "design line" wrapping around the fenders, bumpers, and doorsills was restricted. Over sixty common parts were introduced, including the brakes, diffuser, and rear wing.[18]

In response to increasing cornering speeds, another aerodynamic overhaul was introduced in 2017, lowering downforce by 25%.[19] Furthermore, KERS units were banned, although the only manufacturer to utilize such systems, Honda, had already discontinued their usage in 2016.[20] In 2020, Class 1 technical regulations were fully implemented, with the manufacturers introducing new cars to comply with the new rules. Aerodynamic development was further restricted, and a standardized ECU and suspension were introduced.[21]

Selection
2005
Nissan Fairlady Z (Z33) GT-R (R35) Z GT500 (RZ34)
Toyota/Lexus Supra (A80) GR Supra (DB42)[22]
SC 430 (UZZ40) RC F (USC10)[23] LC 500 (URZ100)
Honda NSX-GT (NA2) HSV-010 GT NSX Concept-GT[24] NSX-GT (NC1)[25] Civic Type R-GT
McLaren F1 GTR
Lamborghini Murciélago
Ferrari 550 GTS
Aston Martin DBR9

Cars

[edit]
Make Car Years competed Engine Image Note
Aston Martin Aston Martin DBR9 2009 Aston Martin DBR9 6.0L NA V12 Part-time entry in 2009.
Audi Audi RS5 Turbo DTM 2019 Audi RC8 2.0 TFSI turbo I4 Only entered in the 2019 Super GT × DTM Dream Race
BMW BMW M4 Turbo DTM 2019 BMW P48 Turbo 2.0L turbo I4 Only entered in the 2019 Super GT × DTM Dream Race
Ferrari Ferrari 550 GTS 2005 Ferrari F133 5.9L NA V12 Ex-Prodrive chassis
Honda Honda NSX-GT (NA2) 2005–2009 Honda C32B
3.0L turbo V6 (2005 Rd.1-3)
3.5L NA V6 (2005 Rd.4-2008)
3.4L NA V6 (2009)
Honda HSV-010 GT 2010–2013 Honda HR10EG 3.4L NA V8
Honda NSX Concept-GT 2014–2016 Honda HR-414E 2.0L turbo I4 Equipped with a Zytek battery hybrid powertrain system from 2014 to 2015.
Honda NSX-GT (NC1) 2017–2021 Honda HR-417E 2.0L turbo I4 (2017–2019)
Honda HR-420E 2.0L turbo I4 (2020–present)
Debuted as a mid-engine model in 2017.
Changed to a front-engine model in 2020 to comply with current regulations.
2022–2023 Updated styling based on Honda NSX Type S model.
Honda Civic Type R-GT (FL5) 2024
Lamborghini Lamborghini Murciélago RG-1 2005 Lamborghini L535 6.0L NA V12 Moved to the GT300 class before the end of the 2005 season.
Lexus Lexus SC430 GT500 2006–2013 Lexus 3UZ-FE 4.5L NA V8 (2006–2008)
Lexus RV8 kg 3.4L NA V8 (2009–2013)
Used by four Toyota teams in 2006, then by all teams from 2007.
Lexus RC F GT500 2014–2016 Lexus RI4AG 2.0L turbo I4
Lexus LC 500 GT500 2017–2019
McLaren McLaren F1 GTR 2005 BMW S70/2 6.0L NA V12 Part-time entry in 2005.
Nissan Nissan Fairlady Z GT500 (Z33) 2005–2007 Nissan VQ30DETT 3.0L turbo V6 (2005-2006 Rd.8)
Nissan VK45DE 4.5L NA V8 (2006 Rd.9-2007)
Nissan GT-R GT500 2008–2013 Nissan VK45DE 4.5L NA V8 (2008–2009)
Nissan VRH34A 3.4L NA V8 (2010-2011 Rd.4)
Nissan VRH34B 3.4L NA V8 (2011 Rd.5-2013)
Nissan GT-R NISMO GT500 2014–2021 Nissan NR20A 2.0L turbo I4 (2014–2019)
Nissan NR20B 2.0L turbo I4 (2020)
Nissan NR4S21 2.0L turbo I4 (2021)
Nissan Fairlady Z NISMO GT500 2022–present Nissan NR4S21 2.0L turbo I4 (2022–2023)
Nissan NR4S24 2.0L turbo I4 (2024–present)
Toyota Toyota Supra GT500 2005–2006 Toyota 3UZ-FE 4.5L NA V8 Used by two Toyota teams in 2006.
Toyota GR Supra GT500 2020–present Toyota RI4AG 2.0L turbo I4 (2020–2023)
Toyota RI4BG 2.0L turbo I4 (2024–present)

Turbocharger

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The standard turbochargers were introduced from the start of 2014 season. The turbo configuration is single-turbocharged and producing the turbo boost level pressure up to 3.5 bar (51 psi). Swiss-American turbocharger company Garrett Advancing Motion which is a spin-off company of Honeywell International Inc. currently supplies exclusive turbocharger kits including wastegate for all Super GT GT500 class cars from 2014 season onwards using a 846519-15 model. The turbocharger spin rev limit spins up to 150,000 rpm but not exceeding 155,000 rpm due to higher turbo boost pressure.

GT500 specifications (2014-present)

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Engine displacement 2.0 L (122 cu in) DOHC inline-4
Turbocharger Garrett TR35R 846519–15
Gearbox 6-speed semi-automatic paddle shift gearbox
Weight Over 1,020 kg (2,249 lb) including driver and fuel
Power output Approximately 650 hp (485 kW)
Fuel 102 RON unleaded gasoline (2014–2022)
ETS Racing Fuels Renewablaze R100 carbon neutral fuel (2023–present)
Fuel capacity 120 litres (32 US gallons; 26 imperial gallons)
Fuel delivery Direct fuel injection
Aspiration Single-turbocharged
Length 4,650–4,725 mm (183–186 in) excluding rear wing; 5,010 mm (197 in) including rear wing
Width 1,950 mm (77 in)
Wheelbase 2,750 mm (108 in) fixed
Steering Servo-assisted rack and pinion
Tire suppliers Bridgestone, Yokohama and Dunlop

GT300

[edit]
A Lotus Evora MC leads several GT3 cars.

Unlike GT500, both works-backed and independent teams compete in GT300, so the field tends to be much more varied in terms of types of cars entered. As in GT500, the major Japanese automakers participate in this class, entering cars such as the Toyota Prius and Subaru BRZ, which comply with JAF-GT regulations. However, the GT300 class is predominantly composed of GT3-class cars from European manufacturers such as Audi and Mercedes, although Toyota/Lexus, Nissan and Honda are also represented in the class by GT3 cars. This reflects a growing interest in the series from European manufacturers, with Audi and BMW fielding works-supported entries. Toyota/Lexus, Nissan, and Subaru also campaign works-supported cars in the class.

The GT300 class used to host more exotic cars from the likes of ASL, Mosler, Mooncraft and Vemac, as well as detuned GT500 cars, such as the 2004 title-winning M-TEC NSX. However, starting in 2006, teams increasingly chose to campaign European GT cars instead, a trend that accelerated in 2010 with the introduction of FIA GT cars to the series. In response to the decline of locally produced entries from specialist manufacturers, the GTA worked with Dome to create the "Mother Chassis" (ja: マザーシャシー), a low-cost GT300 platform,[26] with the first MC car entering the series in 2014. Mother Chassis cars utilize a standard Dome-produced tub and GTA-branded Nissan VK45DE engine, while maintaining the appearance of production cars such as the Toyota 86, Lotus Evora, and Toyota Mark X. The MC concept proved to be popular with independent teams, as well as competitive, with the Toyota 86 MC winning the GT300 championship in 2016.

Since 2006, Group GT1 and Group GT2 could race in GT300, and Group GT3 cars are able to enter GT300 since 2010 season. After the 2011 season, GTA announced GT1 and GTE cars are not eligible anymore with the intention of reducing costs, and adopted full GT3 rule.

2006 Privée Zurich Shiden (MC/RT-16).

One of the more unique GT300 competitors was the Mooncraft Shiden MC/RT-16, a Riley Daytona Prototype-based revival of the original 1977 Mooncraft Shiden 77 (紫電77).[27] It competed from 2006 to 2012, narrowly losing the title in 2006, and winning the championship in 2007. Front-wheel drive cars such as the Mitsubishi FTO, Toyota Celica and Cavalier, a rarity in top-level circuit racing, are further examples of unique GT300 machines. They competed in their original configurations until the early 2000s, when FWD cars were being permitted to be converted to rear-wheel drive configuration. The FWD cars were mostly unsuccessful, failing to win any championships, although a Celica won a race in 1999 after a Porsche 911 was disqualified. Rear-wheel drive cars dominated the series until 2008, when an all-wheel drive Subaru Impreza developed by Cusco won in Sepang. An open top car, Renault Sport Spider, made a one-off participation in 1997, also with lack of success.

2015 Toyota Prius apr GT.

Hybrid cars first raced in the GT300 class in 2012, when apr introduced their Toyota Prius apr GT, and Team Mugen fielded a Honda CR-Z GT. Both cars were heavily modified from their production counterparts. The Prius was powered by a 3.4 liter V8 LMP1 engine, which worked in concert with production Hybrid Synergy Drive components; the CR-Z utilized a 2.8 liter V6 LMP2 engine and a 50 kW Zytek electric motor.[28][29] Both the CR-Z and Prius were mid-engined, differing from their front-engined road-going counterparts; this resulted in the CR-Z's withdrawal after the 2015 season, as new regulations for 2016 stipulated that GT300 cars' engines were to be located in the same position as in their production counterparts. However, apr took advantage of a loophole in the regulations to continue to race their mid-engine Prius until 2018,[30] when the team was required to build a new, front-engine Prius.[31]

The development of GT300 cars is much more regulated than that of their GT500 counterparts; the GTA works with the Stephane Ratel Organisation to balance the performance of all GT300 cars via technical adjustments in order to create close racing.[32] While the GT3 cars in the class are closely related to production cars, the JAF-GT machines differ from production vehicles to a greater degree, and in the case of the Mother Chassis cars, share little more than a badge and exterior styling with their road-going counterparts. While engine outputs are at a lower level than the GT500 cars, the GT300 cars still post competitive times and races are relatively tight when combined with GT500 traffic. As it is becoming increasingly more difficult for GT500 cars to overtake GT300s, the GTA may review the speed difference between the two classes in the future, especially if the pace of the GT300 cars continues to increase.[33]

Cars

[edit]
Make Car Category Years competed Image Note
ASL ASL ARTA Garaiya JAF-GT 2005, 2007–2012
Aston Martin Aston Martin V8 Vantage FIA GT2 2010–2012 Served until Round 1, 2012
Aston Martin V12 Vantage GT3 FIA GT3 2012–2014
Aston Martin Vantage AMR GT3 FIA GT3 2019–2020 (first generation)

2024–present (second generation)

Audi Audi R8 LMS FIA GT3 2012–2016 (first generation)
2016–2023 (second generation)
BMW BMW Z4 M Coupé JAF-GT 2008–2009
BMW Z4 GT3 FIA GT3 2011–2015
BMW M6 GT3 FIA GT3 2016–2018, 2020–2021
BMW M4 GT3 FIA GT3 2022–present
Bentley Bentley Continental GT3 FIA GT3 2017–2018
Chevrolet Chevrolet Corvette C6 JAF-GT 2005, 2008
Chevrolet Corvette Z06-R FIA GT3 2011–2013
Chevrolet Corvette C7.R FIA GT3 2019 Only entered in the 2019 auto sport Web Sprint Cup exhibition race.
Ferrari Ferrari 360 Modena JAF-GT 2005–2009
Ferrari F430 GT2 JAF-GT
FIA GT2
2007–2009
2009–2012
Ferrari 458 Italia GT3 FIA GT2
FIA GT3
2011 (GT2)
2012–2013 Rd.3, 2015 (GT3)
Ferrari 488 GT3 FIA GT3 2017, 2021–2022
Ferrari 296 GT3 FIA GT3 2024–present
Ford Ford GT JAF-GT 2006–2007 Run by DHG Racing, powered by a 3.5L V8 allegedly of their own design
Honda Honda NSX JAF-GT
FIA GT3
2005 (JAF-GT)
2018–present (FIA GT3)
JAF-GT specification is the first generation (NA2) NSX
FIA GT3 specification is the second generation (NC1) NSX.
Honda CR-Z GT JAF-GT 2012–2015 Petrol-electric hybrid
Lamborghini Lamborghini Murciélago RG-1 JAF-GT 2005–2009 Developed by JLOC, initially competed as a detuned GT500 car
Lamborghini Gallardo JAF-GT
FIA GT3
2007–2012 (JAF-GT)
2012–2015 (FIA GT3)
JAF-GT specification is the RG-3 variant developed by JLOC.
FIA GT3 specification is the GT3 variant developed by Reiter Engineering.
Lamborghini Huracán GT3 FIA GT3 2016–2019 (first generation)
2019–present (second generation)
2023–present (third generation)
Lexus Lexus IS350 GT300 JAF-GT 2008–2012
Lexus RC F GT3 FIA GT3 2015–present
Lexus LC500h GT JAF-GT 2023–present
Lotus Lotus Exige 300RR JAF-GT 2005 Sspot participant at the Malaysian round, powered by a GM Ecotec engine
Lotus Evora MC JAF-GT 2015–2021 Mother Chassis platform,[34] constructed by Mooncraft.
Mazda Mazda RX-7 JAF-GT 2005–2010
McLaren McLaren MP4-12C GT3 FIA GT3 2013–2015
McLaren 720S GT3 FIA GT3 2019
Mercedes-Benz Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG GT3 FIA GT3 2012–2017
Mercedes-AMG GT3 FIA GT3 2016–2020 (first generation)
2020–present (second generation)
Mooncraft Mooncraft Shiden JAF-GT 2006–2012 Based on a Riley Technologies Daytona Prototype
Mosler Mosler MT900 JAF-GT 2005–2007, 2010–2011 As a spot participant in 2009 and 2012
Nissan Nissan Fairlady Z (Z33) JAF-GT 2005–2010
Nissan GT-R Nismo GT3 FIA GT3 2012–2019 (first generation)
2018–present (second generation)
Nissan Fairlady Z (RZ34) JAF-GT 2024-present Developed by GAINER[35]
Porsche Porsche 911 GT3 FIA GT2
FIA GT3
JAF-GT
2005–2011 (GT2/JAF-GT)
2010–2021 (GT3)
Porsche Boxster JAF-GT 2005–2010
Porsche 968 GT4 JAF-GT 2005
Subaru Subaru Impreza WRX STi JAF-GT 2005–2008 Rear-wheel drive 4-door sedan in 2005.

Converted to 4WD layout in 2006.

Subaru Legacy JAF-GT 2009–2011 4WD 4-door sedan in 2009.

Converted to rear-wheel drive layout in 2010.

Subaru BRZ GT300 JAF-GT 2012–2020 (first generation)
2021–present (second generation)
Toyota Toyota MR-S JAF-GT 2005–2008
Toyota Celica JAF-GT 2005–2008 Served until Round 3, 2008
Toyota Corolla Axio apr GT JAF-GT 2009–2011 4-door sedan, used a Toyota 2GR-FSE engine
Toyota Prius apr GT JAF-GT 2012–2015 (first generation)
2016–2018 (second generation)
2019–2022 (third generation)
First and second generation car is mid-engined,
third generation car is front-engined.
Petrol-electric hybrid sedan, hybrid system turned off on #30 car in 2019.
Toyota 86 MC JAF-GT 2014–present Mother Chassis platform, designed and constructed by Dome. Spot entry in 2014.
Toyota Mark X MC JAF-GT 2017–2019 Mother Chassis platform. 4-door sedan designed by Saitama Toyopet.
Toyota GR Supra GT300 JAF-GT 2020–present Developed by apr.
Tsuchiya Engineering uses self-built chassis on the same basic design.
Toyota GR86 GT300 JAF-GT 2022–present Developed by apr.
Vemac Vemac RD320R JAF-GT 2005–2011 Developed by Tokyo R&D.
Uses a Honda NSX engine.
Team Mach's car uses a Porsche 911 GT3 engine.
Vemac RD350R JAF-GT 2005–2012 Developed by Tokyo R&D initially for GT500.
Uses a Zytek V8.
Vemac RD408R JAF-GT 2006–2010 Developed by Tokyo R&D initially for GT500.
Uses a Mugen LMP engine.
Team Mach's car uses a Porsche 911 GT3 engine.

GT300 specifications

[edit]

Circuits

[edit]
  • Bold denotes a current Super GT track.
  • Italic denotes a former Super GT track.
Number Country / Circuit Years
1 Japan Okayama International Circuit 2005–2019, 2021–present
2 Japan Fuji Speedway 2005–present
3 Japan Suzuka Circuit 2005–present
4 Japan Sportsland Sugo 2005–2019, 2021–present
5 Japan Autopolis 2005–2009, 2011–2015, 2017–2019, 2021–present
6 Japan Twin Ring Motegi 2005–present
7 Malaysia Sepang International Circuit 2005–2013, 2025
8 Thailand Chang International Circuit 2014–2019
9 Philippines TBA TBA

Parity

[edit]

Super GT is unique in its open and blunt statement that it is committed to providing exciting racing first, at the expense of runaway investment by works teams. GT500 cars are fitted with many common parts, lowering costs and equalizing the performance of those parts across all competitors. In the GT300 class, air restrictor sizes, minimum weights, ride heights, and maximum turbo boost pressures are modified on a race-to-race basis to balance performance across all cars. All adjustments to the regulations and the balance of performance are publicly accessible.

The regulations stipulate that no single driver drive over two-thirds of the race distance, which affects the timing of pit stops and driver changes, therefore preventing strategy from dominating the competition.[36] Formerly, the regulations went further and required pit stops and driver changes be done within mandatory windows; in 2004, during an exhibition race held at Fontana, a few teams were penalised after the race ended when race officials discovered their pit stops came one lap before the mandatory window had opened.

Success Weight

[edit]

Perhaps the best-known performance balancing system in use in the Super GT is its Success Ballast system, also known as Success Weight and formerly referred to as "weight handicap".[37] Weight penalties are assigned depending on a car's performance during the race, similar to systems used in the DTM and the BTCC. The system metes out two kilograms of ballast per point scored;[38] it formerly added ballast based on qualifying positions and individual lap times. Stickers on the cars display every car's weight handicap level. In the 2007 season, the Takata NSX team achieved a record-breaking 5 pole positions in the first 7 races, but due to the weight handicap system, they only won one race among those seven. Such regulations keep the championship in play up to the final race of the season: only two GT500 teams (ARTA in 2007 and MOLA in 2012) and one GT300 team (GAINER with André Couto in 2015) have managed to clinch a driver's championship prior to the final race.

Following repeated cases of teams and drivers not winning a single race but still winning the championship (in 2003, neither the GT500 nor GT300 champions won a single race in particular), the handicap system was changed in 2009 to combat sandbagging, discouraging a team from intentionally performing poorly in order to secure a more favorable weight handicap. The ballast is now halved in the penultimate race and lifted altogether in the final race for teams that participated in every round of the season. Teams missing only one round receive halved-ballast in the final race instead.

In 2017, the weight handicap system for GT500 cars was amended to add fuel flow restrictions. Actual weight ballast will be capped at 50 kilograms for reasons of practicality and safety. When a car's assigned ballast exceeds 50 kilograms, it will be assigned a lesser amount of weight ballast, but a fuel flow restriction will be imposed, the severity of which increases according to the size of the assigned weight handicap. While the amount of actual weight ballast carried may vary, the weight handicap stickers on the cars will continue to display the assigned weight handicap.[39][40]

The drivers

[edit]

Like the series, Super GT drivers are very popular in Japan with a growing international fanbase. One driver who gained international appeal is Keiichi Tsuchiya, who raced for the Taisan and ARTA teams before moving to a managerial role upon his retirement in 2004. Other drivers who were famously associated with the series and still are actively involved in Super GT through team ownership are Masahiro Hasemi, Kazuyoshi Hoshino, Aguri Suzuki, and Kunimitsu Takahashi, with the latter being a former President of the GT Association, which runs the series. The series also attracts drivers who see the series as a stepping-stone to Formula One such as Ralf Schumacher and Pedro de la Rosa, as well as former F1 drivers, most famously Érik Comas, who was the series' most successful driver until he stepped down from his position as a number one driver, and 2016 champion Heikki Kovalainen. After a one-off appearance in 2017, 2009 F1 world champion Jenson Button drove for Team Kunimitsu in 2018 and 2019, winning the 2018 title.

In the GT300 class, notable drivers include Nobuteru Taniguchi of Goodsmile Racing, who is also well known as a D1GP competitor,[41] and Manabu Orido, a former D1GP judge currently driving for apr Racing. Other well-known drivers in the category were the TV presenter and singer Hiromi Kozono and Masahiko Kondo, who was also a pop star, actor, and racer-turned-GT500 team owner. Another popular GT300 driver was Tetsuya Yamano, who runs his own driving school and took the GT300 class victory at Sepang for three consecutive years.

Champions

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Overall, across all classes, 36 different drivers have won the drivers' championship in Super GT. Japan has produced the most winning drivers with 26. For the ten non-Japanese drivers who had become champions, eight of them won the drivers championship in the GT500 class while Macau driver André Couto and Brazilian driver João Paulo de Oliveira won the championship in the GT300 class.

Italian driver Ronnie Quintarelli won the most drivers championship titles with four. Quintarelli also holds the record for the most drivers championship title won by a non-Japanese driver and the most drivers championship won in GT500 class with four. Tatsuya Kataoka and Nobuteru Taniguchi were tied for the record of most drivers championship won in GT300 class with three. Tetsuya Yamano was the first driver to win multiple championship as well as the sport's first two-time champion, all of them won consecutively. Three drivers, Toranosuke Takagi in 2005, Jenson Button in 2018, and Nirei Fukuzumi in 2019 have managed to win the championship in their first full-season attempt. As of the end of the 2019 season, Masataka Yanagida and Kazuya Oshima are the only drivers in the series' history to have won the drivers championship title in both classes.

Season Category Drivers' Championship Teams' Championship
Driver(s) Car Team Car
2005 GT500 Japan Yuji Tachikawa
Japan Toranosuke Takagi
Toyota Supra Nismo Xanavi/Motul Pitwork Nissan Fairlady Z Z33
GT300 Japan Tetsuya Yamano
Japan Kota Sasaki
Toyota MR-S Team Reckless Toyota MR-S
2006 GT500 Japan Juichi Wakisaka
Germany André Lotterer
Lexus SC 430 Open Interface Toyota Team TOM'S Lexus SC 430
GT300 Japan Tetsuya Yamano
Japan Hiroyuki Iiri
Mazda RX-7 RE Amemiya Racing Asparadrink Mazda RX-7 FD3S
2007 GT500 Japan Daisuke Ito
Republic of Ireland Ralph Firman
Honda NSX Autobacs Racing Team Aguri Honda NSX
GT300 Japan Kazuya Oshima
Japan Hiroaki Ishiura
Toyota MR-S Cars Tokai Dream 28
Privée Kenzo Asset
Mooncraft/Riley Shiden MC/RT-16.
2008 GT500 Japan Satoshi Motoyama
France Benoît Tréluyer
Nissan GT-R Petronas Toyota Team TOM'S Lexus SC 430
GT300 Japan Kazuki Hoshino
Japan Hironobu Yasuda
Nissan Fairlady Z Z33 MOLA Nissan Fairlady Z Z33
2009 GT500 Japan Juichi Wakisaka
Germany André Lotterer
Lexus SC 430 Lexus Team Petronas TOM'S Lexus SC 430
GT300 Japan Tatsuya Kataoka
Japan Manabu Orido
Lexus IS 350 Racing Project Bandoh Lexus IS 350
2010 GT500 Japan Takashi Kogure
France Loïc Duval
Honda HSV-010 GT Weider Honda Racing Honda HSV-010 GT
GT300 Japan Kazuki Hoshino
Japan Masataka Yanagida
Nissan Fairlady Z Z33 Hasemi Motorsport Nissan Fairlady Z Z33
2011 GT500 Italy Ronnie Quintarelli
Japan Masataka Yanagida
Nissan GT-R MOLA Nissan GT-R
GT300 Japan Nobuteru Taniguchi
Japan Taku Bamba
BMW Z4 GT3 Goodsmile Racing & Studie with TeamUKYO BMW Z4 GT3
2012 GT500 Italy Ronnie Quintarelli
Japan Masataka Yanagida
Nissan GT-R MOLA Nissan GT-R
GT300 Japan Kyosuke Mineo
Japan Naoki Yokomizo
Porsche 911 GT3-R Team Taisan ENDLESS Porsche 911 GT3-R
2013 GT500 Japan Yuji Tachikawa
Japan Kohei Hirate
Lexus SC430 Lexus Team ZENT Cerumo Lexus SC430
GT300 Japan Hideki Mutoh
Japan Yuhki Nakayama
Honda CR-Z Team Mugen Honda CR-Z
2014 GT500 Japan Tsugio Matsuda
Italy Ronnie Quintarelli
Nissan GT-R Nismo Nissan GT-R
GT300 Japan Tatsuya Kataoka
Japan Nobuteru Taniguchi
BMW Z4 GT3 GAINER Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG
2015 GT500 Japan Tsugio Matsuda
Italy Ronnie Quintarelli
Nissan GT-R Nismo Nissan GT-R
GT300 Macau André Couto Nissan GT-R NISMO GT3 GAINER Nissan GT-R NISMO GT3
2016 GT500 Finland Heikki Kovalainen
Japan Kohei Hirate
Lexus RC F Lexus Team SARD Lexus RC F
GT300 Japan Takeshi Tsuchiya
Japan Takamitsu Matsui
Toyota 86 MC VivaC team Tsuchiya Toyota 86 MC
2017 GT500 Japan Ryo Hirakawa
New Zealand Nick Cassidy
Lexus LC 500 Lexus Team KeePer TOM'S Lexus LC 500
GT300 Japan Tatsuya Kataoka
Japan Nobuteru Taniguchi
Mercedes-AMG GT3 Goodsmile Racing & Team Ukyo Mercedes-AMG GT3
2018 GT500 Japan Naoki Yamamoto
United Kingdom Jenson Button
Honda NSX Team Kunimitsu Honda NSX
GT300 Japan Naoya Gamou
Japan Haruki Kurosawa
Mercedes-AMG GT3 K2 R&D LEON Racing Mercedes-AMG GT3
2019 GT500 Japan Kazuya Oshima
Japan Kenta Yamashita
Lexus LC 500 GT500 Lexus Team KeePer TOM'S Lexus LC 500 GT500
GT300 Japan Shinichi Takagi
Japan Nirei Fukuzumi
Honda NSX GT3 Evo ARTA Honda NSX GT3 Evo
2020 GT500 Japan Tadasuke Makino
Japan Naoki Yamamoto
Honda NSX Team Kunimitsu Honda NSX
GT300 Japan Kiyoto Fujinami
Brazil João Paulo de Oliveira
Nissan GT-R NISMO GT3 Kondo Racing Nissan GT-R NISMO GT3
2021 GT500 Japan Yuhi Sekiguchi
Japan Sho Tsuboi
Toyota GR Supra GT500 TGR Team au TOM'S Toyota GR Supra GT500
GT300 Japan Takuto Iguchi
Japan Hideki Yamauchi
Subaru BRZ GT300 R&D Sport Subaru BRZ GT300 (ZD8)
2022 GT500 Japan Kazuki Hiramine
Belgium Bertrand Baguette
Nissan Z GT500 Team Impul Nissan Z GT500
GT300 Japan Kiyoto Fujinami
Brazil João Paulo de Oliveira
Nissan GT-R Nismo GT3 Kondo Racing Nissan GT-R Nismo GT3
2023 GT500 Japan Sho Tsuboi
Japan Ritomo Miyata
Toyota GR Supra GT500 TGR Team au TOM'S Toyota GR Supra GT500
GT300 Japan Hiroki Yoshida
Japan Kohta Kawaai
Toyota GR Supra GT300 Saitama Toyopet GreenBrave Toyota GR Supra GT300

International live telecasts

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Multiverse Partners, through Haro Sports & Entertainment, undertakes the international content syndication of Autobacs Super GT 2019 Series (outside of Japan and Thailand).

  • Motorsport.tv – International live streaming (except Japan) – paid access to live streams, free access to highlights.
    • International live streaming (except Japan) formerly on The Race – free access.
  • Astro – Malaysia live telecast on Astro SuperSport, Astro SuperSport HD and Astro GO App.
  • One Sports - Philippines live telecast on One Sports, One Sports+ and SPOTV.
  • Media Nusantara Citra - Indonesia live telecast on MNCTV.
  • PPTV - Thailand live telecast on PPTV HD and SMM TV.
  • Mediacorp - Singapore live telecast on Channel 5.

References

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  27. ^ "~1977年製作の幻のレーシングカーが、市販車として復活!~Mooncraft オリジナル、究極のスーパースポーツカー"紫電"を発売". Mooncraft.jp. Archived from the original on 2011-09-07. Retrieved 2011-09-04.
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  34. ^ This season's GT300 centerpiece: SGT Evora is unveiled (in Japanese)
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