Nissan Z Wins 2004 JGTC Series Championship
JGTC Rd.7 SUZUKA GT 300km Race Report
Suzuka Circuit (Mie, Japan) - November 20-21, 2004
The final round of the Japan GT Championship (JGTC) was held at Suzuka Circuit on November 21. Calsonic IMPUL Z (#12, Benoit Treluyer / Yuji Ide) which started from 3rd place on the grid, clinched its first victory for the 2004 season. Although carrying 120kg of weight handicap, Xanavi NISMO Z (#1, Satoshi Motoyama / Richard Lyons) started from 11th position and finished 7th, winning the overall driver's championship for 2004. NISMO team (#1 and #22) had already won the team championship during the previous round, completing a double victory for the team in its debut season for the Z cars in the GT500 class.
Meanwhile, G'ZOX SSR Hasemi Z (#22, Toshihiro Kaneishi / Erik Comas) starting from 2nd place finished in third position. MOTUL PITWORK Z (#22, Masami Kageyama / Michael Krumm) which was 6th position on the qualifying session, retired due to electrical issues.
The formation lap started at 2pm, in front of 36,500 fans at the Suzuka Circuit. Immediately after the start of the 52-lap race, several cars were involved in an incident at the first corner of the opening lap. The two Z cars among the top group -- #3 (Comas) and #12 (Treluyer) were not involved in this accident. The two Z cars took the opportunity to push forward and chase the Supra (#36). The Z #12 pitted for the tire change on lap 24, followed by #36. Car #12, which went back to the track a lap earlier than #36, benefited from warmer tires and overtook #36 who had just pitted. #12 now driven by Ide, became the race leader, and succeeded to hold that position to the chequered flag, despite a fierce pursuit from the #36 Supra.
Meanwhile, the Z #3 pitted on lap 27, returning to the race in 3rd and kept that position until the end. This was the second podium position for Z #3 this season.
#1 (Motoyama) avoided the accident at the start, overtook four cars, and passed the control line in 7th position on lap one. He was caught by the #35 Supra - carrying less weight burden - on lap 10. Although he dropped one place to 8th, he drove steadily to maintain this position and hand over the car to Lyons on lap 34. Lyons also made a steady run, avoiding the strong push by #39 Supra. Lyons finally attacked #35 Supra again on lap 45, and regained 7th position which he maintained until the finish line. This added another four points and secured the series championship victory.
Kageyama in the Z #22 sustained damage to the left side of his car and been pushed into the gravel on the first lap. He managed to come back to the track in last position, but through a skilled and determined drive, climbed to 17th by lap 23 when he came into the pit. Although Krumm took over the car and pushed the position further up to 15th, the engine started to misfire and had to retire after going back to the pit on lap 33.
Hiroshi Degawa, NISMO Team Director said,
"The drivers on car #1, Motoyama and Lyons, have done a remarkable job. Also, this overall series champion is a tribute to the great effort by the engineers, mechanics, and all the team members. I believe we were able to show how fast the Z is, despite the unexpected challenges during the beginning of the season. I am also very happy that we have won the team championship as well. I would like to thank all the fans for supporting us for the whole season."
Satoshi Motoyama (#1) said,
"Thank you very much for supporting us this year. Looking back, it was a great help that we could win the first round at the TI Circuit. That worked out very positively to build up the championship. I think the trouble at the Sugo was a typical initial defect, the crash at the Tokachi was a great shame, but the victory at the Autopolis was really good for us. To be honest, I was quite nervous this week. But I decided to believe the power of the team, performance of the machine, and the combination with Richard (Lyons) and then finally we can win. I'm now really happy.
Richard Lyons (#1) said,
"When I came to Japan, one of my goals was to win this championship. Winning this means I can now work in any country in the world in a top-level series as a driver. I've also been guided by Satoshi (Motoyama) who has been a champion many times. I've had a lot of support and I'd like to thank all those people who have assisted me. The team did a good job today. I concentrated on looking after the tires and making sure we came across the line at the checkered flag. I'm extremely pleased with the outcome today."
Benoit Treluyer (#12) said,
"I'm very, very happy with the outcome today. My stint in the car was very good, we had a great pit stop, and Yuji (Ide) did a fantastic job. His overtaking was great and I really enjoyed watching the race when he was driving. This is actually one of the best races I've ever seen! As for battling with Erik (Comas) early in the race, I didn't want to take any risk with another Nissan car. I want to thank all the fans, the team, and our sponsors - we really appreciate their support.
Yuji Ide (#12) said,
"I had difficulties passing the #3 Z and #36 Supra, so waited patiently because I thought it is a battle of pit work and the condition of the tires. By biggest job today is to pass #36 during its outlap and became the leader. Also, I was very careful about the tires because I didn't want slow down towards the latter half of the race. But I was confident that I could run away even if I was pushed. I'd like to keep up the fast pace and achieve good results in the future."
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RACE RESULTS
Rd.7 SUZUKA GT 300km
Sunday,21 November,2004 SUZUKA CIRCUIT
[ 15:04~52Laps Fine / Dry ]
| Pos |
Car Name |
No. |
Driver Name |
Time/Diff. |
| 1 |
CALSONIC IMPUL Z |
12 |
Benoit Treluyer / Yuji Ide |
1:45'47"291 |
| 2 |
WOODONE TOM'S SUPRA |
36 |
Takeshi Tsuchiya / Marco Apicella |
-2"059 |
| 3 |
G'ZOX SSR HASEMI Z |
3 |
Toshihiro Kaneishi / Erik Comas |
-3"118 |
| 4 |
au Cerumo Supra |
38 |
Yuji Tachikawa / Seiji Ara |
-26"885 |
| 5 |
EPSON NSX |
32 |
Tsugio Matsuda/ Andre Lotterer |
-28"845 |
| 6 |
DYNACITY Tom's Supra |
37 |
James Courtney/ Tatsuya Kataoka |
-54"310 |
| 7 |
Xanavi NISMO Z |
1 |
Satoshi Motoyama/ Richard Lyons |
-1'08"045 |
| 8 |
DENSO SARD SUPRA GT |
39 |
Jeremie Dufour / Andre Couto |
-1'08"452 |
| 9 |
RAYBRIG NSX |
100 |
Shinji Nakano / Hiroki Kato |
-1'52"208 |
| 10 |
ECLIPSE ADVAN Supra |
25 |
Manabu Orido / Dominik Schwager |
-1'54"766 |
| R |
Motul Pitwork Z |
22 |
Masami Kageyama / Michael Krumm |
-20Laps |
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TRACK INFORMATION
Length: 5,807m
2004 Series Championship Point standings
| Pos |
Driver Name |
Points |
| 1 |
Satoshi Motoyama/ Richard Lyons |
73 |
| 2 |
Jeremie Dufour / Andre Couto |
61 |
| 3 |
Jyuichi Wakisaka / Akira Iida |
57 |
| 4 |
Toshihiro Kaneishi / Erik Comas |
50 |
| 5 |
Yuji Tachikawa / Seiji Ara |
45 |
| 6 |
James Courtney/ Tatsuya Kataoka |
44 |
| 7 |
Takeshi Tsuchiya / Marco Apicella |
43 |
| 8 |
Tsugio Matsuda/ Andre Lotterer |
42 |
| 9 |
Masami Kageyama / Michael Krumm |
39 |
| 10 |
Naoki Hattori / Shigekazu Wakisaka |
37 |
| 11 |
Benoit Treluyer / Yuji Ide |
35 |
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