2013 Japanese Super GT

[TF110]

I think it depends a lot on the success ballast as well.

[avvelenamento]

Agree with Articus vision. Me too think that lexus is the fastest car on straight because of a lower drag overall design, but because of that lacks something in downforce. Honda HSV-010 had always the highest downforce package and since 2010 lacks top speed, even if during 2011-2012 seasons the engine and exhausts have been modified to have more torque in mid-rev. Nissan for sure has the most powerfull engine and a competitive aero package. Need to be considered also drivers skills, right now nissan drivers are the most competitive.

[Articus]

Nakajima was competitive at Suzuka in the opening stint for a while but Naoki caught and passed in the HSV because I think the tires started to go off sooner on the Lexus. That could be related to a lack of downforce. More downforce would keep the tires for longer. Nakajima could only push so hard for lack of downforce until the tires start to suffer because of it.

[avvelenamento]

Hard to say. More downforce should also facilitate tires overheating.

[Beryl]

Originally Posted by Articus

Nakajima was competitive at Suzuka in the opening stint for a while but Naoki caught and passed in the HSV because I think the tires started to go off sooner on the Lexus. That could be related to a lack of downforce. More downforce would keep the tires for longer. Nakajima could only push so hard for lack of downforce until the tires start to suffer because of it.

I think it had more to do with tire brand. The Weider HSV and Nismo GT-R were the only cars on Michelin tires (along with the Mola GT-R, which was coming to the front from further back). The other Bridgestone cars (Keihin HSV for example) didn't fare much better than Nakajima.

Originally Posted by Articus

To me it seems that Nissan has the best overall package. Whereas the Lexus and HSV performances fluctuate depending on if we are going to long straightaway tracks(Lexus advantage) or something like Suzuka(Honda territory) but Nissan is always near the front fighting with either the Lexus at the quick tracks of the Honda at the high downforce tracks. They had poles at every kind of track I think.

The Hondas have been strong everywhere except Fuji. If they had a little more luck, the Kunimitsu and Dome cars (IMO the two strongest cars so far this season, ahead of the Nismo GT-R) could very well have been a clear 1-2 in the standings.

[Articus]

Ah. Good insight. I didn't even consider that.

[Articus]

Michelin have quite the reputation for dry tire don't they? But Historically Michelin wet tire has always been so-so. What do you think is the cause of that? I've seen in SGT, Le MAns, F1 that when it goes to rain or intermediate the other tire makes come to the fore.

[TF110]

Nakajima's car had a 42kg weight handicap. The Dome had 30kg. The Nismo had 48kg. The Reito GTR only had 24kg. You should realize that weight penalties have a greater affect on tire wear. The Dome car was 18kg lighter than the Nismo, but the Nismo driver lineup is Nissan's strongest. In a 1000km race tire life is very important, so its no wonder the Dome could keep the win in sight.

[Articus]

So the Nismo had the most weight but it's tire did not drop off like that of Nakajima. So its more than the weight. It also the tire construction itself.

[TF110]

Originally Posted by Articus

So the Nismo had the most weight but it's tire did not drop off like that of Nakajima. So its more than the weight. It also the tire construction itself.

They ran Michelin tires which seem better in certain conditions. But for the most part bridgestone is preferred. If it were just down to the michelin tires, more teams would use them. So I feel its down to the weight handicap and driver lineup. The Nismo drivers moved from the Reito car which won the past two drivers titles. The Dome has Fred Makoweicki and Naoki Yamamoto. They could also be playing gamesmanship by placing lower to escape higher ballast, which has resulted in championships being won before without a single win!

[avvelenamento]

Originally Posted by Articus

Michelin have quite the reputation for dry tire don't they? But Historically Michelin wet tire has always been so-so. What do you think is the cause of that? I've seen in SGT, Le MAns, F1 that when it goes to rain or intermediate the other tire makes come to the fore.

If am I not wrong during 2011 season, the michelin nissan reito did always good results under the rain.

[Japanese Samurai]

Autosport magazine reports 2014 GT500 cars.

*The max high speed in Fuji of 2014 cars may not exceed 270km/h beacuse of drag.
*Lexus LF-CC's subject is an engine measure against heat.
*Honda NSX's negative point is weight. It exceeds the minimum weight also hybrid system omission. Honda carries the hybrid system equivalant to CR-Z GT. battery and inverter are carried in the front compartment.

[MagVanisher]

Originally Posted by Japanese Samurai

*The max high speed in Fuji of 2014 cars may not exceed 270km/h beacuse of drag.

What is this, are they putting restrictor plates like in NASCAR?

[jeast]

Originally Posted by Articus

Michelin have quite the reputation for dry tire don't they? But Historically Michelin wet tire has always been so-so. What do you think is the cause of that? I've seen in SGT, Le MAns, F1 that when it goes to rain or intermediate the other tire makes come to the fore.

They had a really cool slick rain tire at Le Mans this year with Audi.

[Victor_RO]

Originally Posted by jeast

They had a really cool slick rain tire at Le Mans this year with Audi.

The treadless inters for LMP1 were introduced last year actually.

[avvelenamento]

Originally Posted by MagVanisher

What is this, are they putting restrictor plates like in NASCAR?

I am sure he means that drag (cx) of the cars will be so high, that 500+ hp power output is not enough to make the car faster than predicted 270km/h

[Japanese Samurai]

Suzuka 1000km lap time excel sheet
http://supergt.net:8080/upload/files..._919906308.zip

[TF110]

Promotional NSX video;

http://www.honda.co.jp/SuperGT/spcon...SX_CONCEPT-GT/

[hondafan37]

Originally Posted by TF110

Promotional NSX video;

http://www.honda.co.jp/SuperGT/spcon...SX_CONCEPT-GT/

Very good!!! I Like this car!!! I would like to see racing in the DTM!!!

[Matt]

!!!

[TF110]

I think this is the first picture of the rear of the Lexus LF-CC GT500;



And one of the new GTR;

[TF110]

http://www.vipboxonline.eu/motorspor...am-online.html online qualifying stream.

[BullMan]

I said it last time too, but this SuperGT safety car procedure makes ALMS and GA look efficient.

[TF110]

I liked their safety car.At least it didn't last a half hour! I like that they lined up the classes and let the GT500's go first then opened the pits.

[Beryl]

The problem with the safety car here (pits closed until after sorting) is that it turns the race almost into a pit stop battle if it happens before the stops. It really messes with the results, catapulting slower cars (like the Keihin at Fuji and the Impul GTR at Suzuka) into much higher places than they would have been otherwise, and throwing a lot of hard work out the window for leading cars.

I feel bad for the Kunimitsu crew, really bad luck these last three rounds. First the unfortunate events at Sugo, then the puncture and penalty at Suzuka, and now the retirement after running strongly in the top 3 at Fuji (despite 74 kg!). Strongest car this season I think, but now down to 7th or 8th in the standings.