Rev Up for SUGO: Can the Waited-for SUPER GT Round 6 Deliver a Thrilling Showdown
SUPER GT Round 6: The Thrilling and Challenging SUGO Circuit
The top-ranked au TOM’S GR Supra in this tournament has a success weight of 82kg.
・The Setting is “Autumn SUGO”
First, let’s talk about the postponed Round 5. It has already been announced that the Round 5 will be held at Suzuka Circuit on December 7-8, but the “final round” will be held at Mobility Resort Motegi, meaning that there will be no success weights at Suzuka. Naturally, the temperature is expected to drop sharply due to the season, so the qualifying time attack, which will be a so-called “serious battle,” will likely take place under ideal conditions. Moreover, due to the revision of regulations, from Round 6, it will be possible to attack with new tires in both Q1 and Q2 of qualifying, so it will be fun to watch the race, including the “fun” of breaking the course record.
・The Thrilling and Challenging SUGO
The total length of SUGO is approximately 3.586km, making it the shortest of all the circuits where SUPER GT has been held. In addition, the layout has a large difference in elevation and a series of medium to high speed corners, so with the large number of participating cars in SUPER GT, it is not uncommon for “traffic jams” to occur during qualifying and the final. In qualifying, depending on the timing of entering the course, cars must attack with the full knowledge that there is a risk of being ”made to cry” by the car in front. They often say that “luck is part of skill,” and it is true that a lot of luck is also desirable.
The SUGO track is difficult to conquer, but following the postponement of the fifth round at Suzuka, this will be the first time that a revised qualifying system has been implemented. We briefly mentioned the changes in the previous preview, but since the opening round of this season, the rules have changed from requiring drivers to use only one set of tires for Q1 and Q2 in qualifying, and even until the start of the final race, and as a result, new tires can now be fitted to each qualifying session. This means that each driver can take full advantage of the benefits of new tires in their attack.
・A Close Battle is Inevitable for the Title. Who is the “Demon”?
With the first race of the second half of the season being held at SUGO, what impact will it have on the balance of power in the title race? With many uncertainties in a race on such a difficult course, it will be difficult to predict how the race will play out until the very end. Last season, the leading car in the GT300 class lost pace just before the checkered flag. The other team that had made a comeback and won was disqualified after a re-inspection. The winner in the GT500 class was also changed after a re-inspection. After the sun had completely set and the fans had gone home, both teams gathered around the championship trophy for a commemorative photo, which was an unusual outcome. Looking back at past races, SUGO is also a place where troubles and accidents can occur, leading to rough races. This is probably why it is said that “SUGO is home to demons.”
■A Word from the Driver!
Toshiki Oyu (No.38 KeePer CERUMO GR Supra)
This year, I changed manufacturers and took on the challenge of a new season, but I think we’ve had some very good races, and the team is on the upswing, or rather, we’ve been progressing as we race, which I think led to our third place finish in the fourth race at Fuji. I also feel that the content is more fulfilling than the results. The team is now taking on various challenges with the intention of “changing,” and I myself am looking forward to contributing to the team in some way.
Suzuka has been postponed and we are now at SUGO, where I won the ARTA last year. It’s a circuit that I’m very familiar with and have had good results there. The next point will be how well we can improve the car. However, considering the layout of SUGO, I wonder if Honda and Nissan are strong. That said, Supra is fast in terms of race pace. Keeping in mind that there are few places to overtake, it will be a tough battle from the qualifying rounds.
From this time on, we will be able to use more new tires in qualifying, but since everyone is on the same conditions, I don’t think it will have much of an impact on the balance of power. However, I think it’s a positive thing that each driver can push (attack) comfortably, and I think it will expand the range of strategies in the race, so I would like to use that to my advantage.
SUGO is a circuit where drama is likely to happen every time. The qualifying attack is tense, and it is difficult to “survive” the race, but it is a circuit where you have to attack in that environment. On the other hand, I think it is a place that is easy for spectators to access by car or train, so I would like people to come and watch from all over, not just from the Tohoku region.