2008 Super GT Round 5
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2008 Super GT Round 5 SUGO GT 300km RACE (Sportsland Sugo.3.704km) [Main race] 27 July/ Free run/Main race Condition in Free run =0900-0930hrsCondition in Free run =0900-0930hrs Weather/ shower Course Condition/Wet Air temperature/24→24℃ Surface temperature/29→29℃ Condition in Main race =1412-1603hrs Weather/ overcast with some showers Course Condition/Dry Air temperature/24→23℃ Surface temperature/27→25℃ |
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Under worse circumstance with handicap weight and lack of mileage on dry, Cusco Racing showed strong run and made finishing in 14th This year’s Super GT series has half turn with this event, round 5 “Sugo GT 300km Race”. The main race on afternoon of 27 July started with some delaying due to deep fog. Cusco Racing has been suddenly given handicap weight as performance adjustment from this event. With having over 100kg extra weight, team had to find completely new setting. However, due to rain condition on Friday’s practice run, team faced luck of driving mileage on dry condition. Although having disadvantage of the circumstance, team tackled the main race and finished in 14th even regarding 2 lap behind from the top. Team was not able to gain any drivers championship point, but gained team point 1. Team will continue to have much more motivation to look for next round. |
 As summer holiday, grand stand was filled up with spectators. |
 Due to foggy condition, starting of main race delayed 15minutes. |
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 Sasaki made pit out to starting grid of main race |
The Sunday when main race was undertaking showed wet weather. With drizzle or shower, even foggy condition, the 30 minutes free run was occurred from 0900hrs. Cusco racing took maximum advantage with having the Trans-axel Symmetrical AWD and recorded fastest time with only 1’34” something among the class. Yet, it would be pretty sure to estimate dry condition on main race, so team had not been accepted to delight with the time easily. In fact, the condition was getting better when free run completed, additionally road surface was dried up from racing line with running touring cars on support race. When the main race started in the afternoon, condition became perfectly dry condition. However, some shower still appeared and the circuit surrounded some fog when final support race started. The fog was getting deep more, and under the condition, start of Super GT main race delayed 15 minutes. |
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After 1 lap of rolling lap, the main race made official start on 1412hrs. This time again, Sasaki made start for the team and complete opening lap with retain starting position. However as the disadvantage of handicap weight was tough than expected, Sasaki was unable to improve his speed. Making best effort and continuing driving, however Sasaki had been passed away one from next. When he backed down to 17th, Sasaki made scheduled pit in. Although showing superb speed from beginning of the season, Sasaki couldn’t against the extra weight. It was same situation for Yamano who took the wheel for second half of the race. Yamano used his plenty of experience and technique through taking many titles with driving various machine, however it didn’t work to resolve the “physical task”. Under this difficult circumstance, Yamano still made persevering drive until very end when he was given the checker, and thank to withdraw some of topes, he completed the race in 14th. Team was regarded as 2 laps behind from the top, but succeeded to gain 1 point of team’s championship. |
 Handicap weight from pole position and victory on round 4 are 10kg and 50kg respectively. Additionally team was given extra weight as performance adjustment. |
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Team quote: Team director, Toshio Omizo “It was tough race, but talking excuse of weigh handicap wouldn’t productive at all. As gaining 1 team’s championship point as result of big effort of whole team, we regard this tough situation as best opportunity to test strength of teaming, so we will continue our challenge. We would like to thank to our supporter who had been cheer us up in such as bad weather.” Driver quote: Tetsuya Yamano “It was tough race. The (handicap weight of) performance adjustment was very tough for us… However it’s no doubt that the potential of our machine had been increasing, so I think there are still some area where we can adjust with setting. In next round in Suzuka(1000km) is long distance race. I would like to say we would correspond with overall strength of team, but it’s also difficult to estimate accurately as machine has extra weight. It’s pretty sure we will have the pressure which we have not had ever. So I really would like to complete the race. We should be able to get some point if we could complete the race, also it would make less weight. It’s kind of we will have new challenge. I feel something like that.” Driver quote: Kouta Sasaki “It’s kind of all result of (handicap) weight. Also we were not able to drive in dry condition (on Friday’s practice run) much, so we were not satisfied with our setting. Even during driving, I couldn’t feel to match with rivals on any corner, any straight. Until next round in Suzuka(100km), we will have testing in Motegi(30-31 July), so we will look for setting of having extra weight. But this time, I really regret!” |
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