2015 Japanese Super GT

[DS"]

I agree that DTM needs the cooperation with SuperGT more than SuperGT itself. I think the premise of racing the DTM cars in Japan is what keeps DTM alive at the moment. If that goes away, then so will DTM. With that in mind, I wonder why SuperGT agreed to build cars similar to the DTM regulations in the first place, but I guess it was some sort of good will, or they were just happy to have some set of regulations handed to them. However, I find the suggestion, that GT500 may become GTE in the future very attractive, especially when SuperGT wants to push towards Le Mans. I pretty much think that SuperGT has a plan B in mind, when the DTM cooperation fails.

[MagVanisher]

Originally Posted by hondafan37

The Super GT teams wants to go to the 24 hours of Le Mans, perhaps the GT500 rules should be like the future GTE/GTLM (GTP).

Going to the next-generation GTE route would be volatile should that class became defunct due to rising costs. Then again, that class is safe for the time being do to various manufacturers committed on GTE. Meanwhile, I wonder if the DTM chassis is allowed in GTE?

Still, it would be a pipe dream if a Super GT representative goes to Le Mans with a Class One car!

[carbsmith]

Originally Posted by DS"

I agree that DTM needs the cooperation with SuperGT more than SuperGT itself. I think the premise of racing the DTM cars in Japan is what keeps DTM alive at the moment. If that goes away, then so will DTM. With that in mind, I wonder why SuperGT agreed to build cars similar to the DTM regulations in the first place, but I guess it was some sort of good will, or they were just happy to have some set of regulations handed to them. However, I find the suggestion, that GT500 may become GTE in the future very attractive, especially when SuperGT wants to push towards Le Mans. I pretty much think that SuperGT has a plan B in mind, when the DTM cooperation fails.

Super GT went into pretty big cost cutting mode after the 2009 recession (that's why for example they have two day weekends still) and DTM hard sold them about what a great job they did at cutting costs and how they'd open the way for more manufacturers rather than the basically three GT500 has had since the 90s due to its isolated rule set.

Of course, DTM and Dallara didn't really deliver on anything they promised either. The cars a a bit junky, at least as expensive to run, and the Germans are afraid to show up.

[AkioAsakura95]

Originally Posted by Japanese Samurai

http://blog.studie.jp/2015/10/post-9342.html

According to Studie "BOB" Suzuki blog,
Past annual budget of Team Studie was about 100,000,000 yen. (Chassis excluded)
And 2016 season's annual budget is about 150,000,000 yen.
It's because spare parts and tools are changed.
And he says that this season's main sponsor will withdraw.

@Japanese Samurai
You mean that Team Studie (#7) does not recruit the sponsor for next year participation of SUPER GT???

[DS"]

Originally Posted by carbsmith

Super GT went into pretty big cost cutting mode after the 2009 recession (that's why for example they have two day weekends still) and DTM hard sold them about what a great job they did at cutting costs and how they'd open the way for more manufacturers rather than the basically three GT500 has had since the 90s due to its isolated rule set.

Well, when the 2012-spec DTM cars were introduced, it was said that they were 40-50% cheaper than a 2009-spec car. But I wonder, why German manufacturers still think that DTM is too expensive...

Of course, DTM and Dallara didn't really deliver on anything they promised either. The cars a a bit junky, at least as expensive to run, and the Germans are afraid to show up.

If I recall correctly, Dallara isn't involved in building this generation's DTM cars.

[Japanese Samurai]

Originally Posted by AkioAsakura95

@Japanese Samurai
You mean that Team Studie (#7) does not recruit the sponsor for next year participation of SUPER GT???

No. They're looking for alternate sponsor.

[J Jay]

Originally Posted by carbsmith

Super GT went into pretty big cost cutting mode after the 2009 recession (that's why for example they have two day weekends still) and DTM hard sold them about what a great job they did at cutting costs and how they'd open the way for more manufacturers rather than the basically three GT500 has had since the 90s due to its isolated rule set.

That was a proper hack job DMSB pulled on JAF. They were so desperate to save money that at one point it even looked like the tubs were going to be made in Germany and then shipped to Japan. Ultimately that was a red line for the Japanese side but it shows how much they felt costs needed to be reduced.

Originally Posted by DS"

Well, when the 2012-spec DTM cars were introduced, it was said that they were 40-50% cheaper than a 2009-spec car. But I wonder, why German manufacturers still think that DTM is too expensive...

I don't think that's ever been the case, but it wouldn't be the first time a figure has been exaggerated in the world of motorsport. But if DTM was the only gig in town then they wouldn't be grumbling about the price, whatever it was. All three manufacturers have other outlets (specifically F1, LMP1 & GT3) that are meeting their requirements for RoI better than DTM is.

[carbsmith]

Originally Posted by DS"

If I recall correctly, Dallara isn't involved in building this generation's DTM cars.

Now that I look officially they're quite vague about who is responsible for the tub, but one of the Racecar Engineering articles implicates Italians and I don't see what other Italians they'd be working with. It kind of sounds like the things are finished in Germany (this could be the roll cage installation for all I know, since Dallara has said they don't really do tube frames) probably with a financial interest from the organizers, which would be why they were so desperate to sell them to Japan.

Technically the Japanese tubs are manufactured in Japan anyways but the engineering problems with floppy chassis and brakes made of glass fall on well, DTM and Dallara I guess.

[MagVanisher]

@carbsmith
So what you're saying is that the Japanese version of those DTM-based tubs are better constructed, or it's just that the Germans didn't make a better chassis tub in the first place?

Honestly, repairing those tubs while having design flaws would drive the cost further because it wasn't fixed properly!

[carbsmith]

Japanese were complaining about excessive chassis flex last year, so it's probably a design issue. Likely because of the combination of low sides for the doors and the roof not being part of the tub.

It's probably not particularly a reliability issue it just makes the cars harder to engineer and drive.

[Japanese Samurai]

According to Takeshi Tsuchiya (#25) twitter,
Takamitsu Matsui misses rest of 2 races because of the crash in the Super Taikyu race.
He's hospitalized just to be safe.
https://twitter.com/TsuchiyaTakeshi/...39522890121216

[Japanese Samurai]

Autosport magazine (preview) reports that DTM side has offered the postponement of regulations integration.
http://www.as-books.jp/books/sample.php?no=AST20151030

[MagVanisher]

Wow, so it seems that the Germans are getting more incompetent by postponing rule integration. Nothing new here...

@carbsmith
Thanks for the info regarding the chassis tub. It would be nice if Dome re-engineered those DTM tubs to become more reliable by fixing design flaws.

Of course, that would made ITR and the 3 large German manufacturers angry for modifying it!

[hvr777]

Originally Posted by Japanese Samurai

According to Takeshi Tsuchiya (#25) twitter,
Takamitsu Matsui misses rest of 2 races because of the crash in the Super Taikyu race.
He's hospitalized just to be safe.
https://twitter.com/TsuchiyaTakeshi/...39522890121216

I wish for Matsui-san's fast recovery. Hopefully he will race again next year at Super GT, given the car's potential.

Well, after UpGarage team already retained Nakayama/Ide pair for next race I think Kota Sasaki (previously raced for #31 apr Prius & #18 UpGarage 86) will be the good choice to replace Matsui for last 2 races.

[Japanese Samurai]

Tatsuya Tanikawa is alternate for Takamitsu Matsui.
https://twitter.com/VivaCxTSUCHIYA/s...35345174556673

[Reload]

Wrong thread, sorry.

[J Jay]

So am I going to be the only one watching the Autopolis race? Calsonic GT-R takes GT500 pole, Syntium Lotus on pole for GT300.

[bentley speed 8]

I'll be watching it later after the WEC race.

[rich07]

Im watching it, totally forgot about it and missed the first eight laps. Doh!

[J Jay]

Looks like Michael Krumm is still feeling the emotional aftermath of Darren Cox leaving Nissan.

[rich07]

Ah what a shame for the Lotus

[MagVanisher]

Originally Posted by rich07

Ah what a shame for the Lotus

Agreed! The Lotus MC car is fast, but couldn't close it unfortunately...

Still, it was a great 1-2 victory for Nissan in both classes! Also, it's sad that Darren Cox will leave Nissan...

[J Jay]

That was a suddenly exciting finish! Great job by Matsuda to keep ahead of Yasuda while he was saving the tyres earlier on in the stint, but that NDDP GT-R GT3 almost cost the Motul Autech car the win in the last couple of corners. Outside chances for the #100 & #36, but it's between "the red car and the blue car" for the title at Motegi.

Andre Couto wraps up the GT300 title with a strong result (2nd) for the Gainer GT-R GT3, while the double double for Nissan is sealed with a win for the NDDP GT-R GT3. The Syntium Lotus had the measure of the field, but a typically late stop cost it the lead and a rear tyre puncture ended its hopes. They really can't catch a break.

Edit - That trophy

[TF110]

The second driver for the Lotus is a good deal slower. Shame for the Prius, contact by the bmw took its title hopes away.

[AkioAsakura95]

Originally Posted by J Jay

That was a suddenly exciting finish! Great job by Matsuda to keep ahead of Yasuda while he was saving the tyres earlier on in the stint, but that NDDP GT-R GT3 almost cost the Motul Autech car the win in the last couple of corners. Outside chances for the #100 & #36, but it's between "the red car and the blue car" for the title at Motegi.

Andre Couto wraps up the GT300 title with a strong result (2nd) for the Gainer GT-R GT3, while the double double for Nissan is sealed with a win for the NDDP GT-R GT3. The Syntium Lotus had the measure of the field, but a typically late stop cost it the lead and a rear tyre puncture ended its hopes. They really can't catch a break.

Edit - That trophy

@J Jay
Congratz Andre Couto for winning the GT300 driver champion!!!!
If (#10) GAINER GT3 GT3 win again at final round, will other GAINER car switch to other brand of GT3 car, or they continue using Mercedes AMG GT3????