R-34
05-09-2003, 01:17 PM
The Japanese GT Association (GT-A), the organization overseeing the series, is looking into plans that would have the series to make a 2004 trip to the U.S. for what will be for tens of thousands of people an incredible first hand introduction to the series. The event will be a special no points All-Star Event similar to one planned for Shanghai this December.
While venues and exact dates have not been released, sources say that the movement is well under way considering the strong interest in the series that has been cultivated by almost a decade of underground publicity through forces like the Sony PlayStation Gran Turismo game series and the boom of the import performance and racing scene.
Add an automotive aftermarket that industry trade association SEMA has pegged to be at $26 billion dollars – a large part of which has been driven by the import and sport compact market, and the U.S. looks ripe to provide heady fan support at any venue to the aftermarket rich racing series.
In fact, many of the companies found slathered on the cars of the series – like HKS, Ray’s, Yokohama, RayBrig, and Tanabe (not to mention auto manufacturers like Honda, Toyota, and Nissan), already have a presence in the U.S. and would benefit as well as companies with new opportunities in a U.S. appearance.
History of the JGTC
The race has grown to become the largest race series in Japan with entries of 40 cars and an average of over 40,000 spectators per event and has its roots in the All-Japan Sports Prototype Car Championship (JSPC) that disappeared on the heels of the cancellation of the various World Group C Series. Following that series, the GT-Association debuted the Series in 1994 with an entry of 18 cars and a dedication to “fans and sponsors first”.
The JSPC Series had suffered losses of participants and interest in its final days and the GT-A investigated ways in which a new JGTC series could avoid a similar fate. What was developed was an extremely competitive playing field where fans could enjoy watching top drivers battle each other side by side in machinery that is exotic but also identifiable.
And while Japanese flagships such as the Toyota Supra, Nissan Skyline GT-R, Mazda RX-7, and Honda NSX, as well as the international stars like the McLaren F1 GTR, Ferrari 360 Modena, Lamborghini Diablo, and Chrysler Viper are series staples in the GT 500 class – mass production sport compacts like the Toyota MR-S and the Nissan Sylvia take center stage in the GT300 class. In fact they are all part of over 15 different models on the circuit.
Strategy is King
A built-in strategy rich semi-endurance format (races range from 250km (155mi) to 500km (310mi)) also ensures that one team or driver does not dominate the series. There are in fact two drivers per car and no one driver can drive for more than 2/3 of the race distance. The mandatory driver changes as well as restrictions tire changes and refueling mean that pitstop strategy is just as important as being the fastest on the track.
If that wasn’t enough to ensure a competitive parity, the GT-A also limits the tuning of the two classes to set horsepower figures – 300 and 500 for GT300 and GT500 respectively through air inlet restrictors as well as use a weight penalty system that corrects competitive advantages for each event.
Under the dynamic equalization system, the top 3 race qualifiers, race finishers, and fastest lappers are assessed a weight penalty that range from 10kg (22lbs) to 50kg (110lbs). What will bring the competition closer to your rearview mirrors even more is the fact that those who finish below the 4th spot will be lightened to the tune of 20kg (44lbs) in the GT500 class and 10kg in the GT300 class. The fact that only 1 second often separates more than ten cars competing for pole is pretty good proof the system works.
Drivers and Umbrella Girls
Besides the machinery, star personalities – and were not even talking about the umbrella girls, are an integral part of the JGTC phenomenon. Some of Japan’s top drivers, Kazuyoshi Hoshino and "Drift King" Keiichi Tsuchiya (familiar to any Best Motoring Video fans), Masahiko and Masami Kageyama, current GT500 champions Junichi Wakisaka and Akira Iida, as well as GT 300 champions Morio Nitta and Shinichi Takagiare are contestants in the series along with many former Japan F3 Champions. The drivers list isn’t just Japan grown though as international experience comes from Ex-Formula One drivers and Ex Motorcycle GP World Champions who have and still compete in the series.
If and when (more when than if) the series sets foot in the States, you can also bet on the appearance of the famous aforementioned “umbrella girls” as well. A staple of the pits and a favorite of the fans (and media types like us), the umbrella girls are the original “import models”. Attractive women scantily clad in apparel that’s covered with my favorite aftermarket company logos – what’s not to like?
For the 2003 season, the series has its first round at the Aida Circuit on March 29. In total, seven points races will take place in Japan, one in Malaysia, as well as a planned All-Star event in Shanghai. Scenes from the 2002 season can also be seen on a special production called “On The Limit” that has been shown on Speed Channel with two remaining air dates (February 15 and 16, multiple air times, according to the Speedtv.com, under “Japan Touring Cars”).
We’ll also be bringing you more information on the Series as well as the U.S. trip as the season progresses. Check back frequently and visit the official JGTC site at www.jgtc.net for more information.
http://urbanracer.com/articles/anmviewer.asp?a=454&z=3
While venues and exact dates have not been released, sources say that the movement is well under way considering the strong interest in the series that has been cultivated by almost a decade of underground publicity through forces like the Sony PlayStation Gran Turismo game series and the boom of the import performance and racing scene.
Add an automotive aftermarket that industry trade association SEMA has pegged to be at $26 billion dollars – a large part of which has been driven by the import and sport compact market, and the U.S. looks ripe to provide heady fan support at any venue to the aftermarket rich racing series.
In fact, many of the companies found slathered on the cars of the series – like HKS, Ray’s, Yokohama, RayBrig, and Tanabe (not to mention auto manufacturers like Honda, Toyota, and Nissan), already have a presence in the U.S. and would benefit as well as companies with new opportunities in a U.S. appearance.
History of the JGTC
The race has grown to become the largest race series in Japan with entries of 40 cars and an average of over 40,000 spectators per event and has its roots in the All-Japan Sports Prototype Car Championship (JSPC) that disappeared on the heels of the cancellation of the various World Group C Series. Following that series, the GT-Association debuted the Series in 1994 with an entry of 18 cars and a dedication to “fans and sponsors first”.
The JSPC Series had suffered losses of participants and interest in its final days and the GT-A investigated ways in which a new JGTC series could avoid a similar fate. What was developed was an extremely competitive playing field where fans could enjoy watching top drivers battle each other side by side in machinery that is exotic but also identifiable.
And while Japanese flagships such as the Toyota Supra, Nissan Skyline GT-R, Mazda RX-7, and Honda NSX, as well as the international stars like the McLaren F1 GTR, Ferrari 360 Modena, Lamborghini Diablo, and Chrysler Viper are series staples in the GT 500 class – mass production sport compacts like the Toyota MR-S and the Nissan Sylvia take center stage in the GT300 class. In fact they are all part of over 15 different models on the circuit.
Strategy is King
A built-in strategy rich semi-endurance format (races range from 250km (155mi) to 500km (310mi)) also ensures that one team or driver does not dominate the series. There are in fact two drivers per car and no one driver can drive for more than 2/3 of the race distance. The mandatory driver changes as well as restrictions tire changes and refueling mean that pitstop strategy is just as important as being the fastest on the track.
If that wasn’t enough to ensure a competitive parity, the GT-A also limits the tuning of the two classes to set horsepower figures – 300 and 500 for GT300 and GT500 respectively through air inlet restrictors as well as use a weight penalty system that corrects competitive advantages for each event.
Under the dynamic equalization system, the top 3 race qualifiers, race finishers, and fastest lappers are assessed a weight penalty that range from 10kg (22lbs) to 50kg (110lbs). What will bring the competition closer to your rearview mirrors even more is the fact that those who finish below the 4th spot will be lightened to the tune of 20kg (44lbs) in the GT500 class and 10kg in the GT300 class. The fact that only 1 second often separates more than ten cars competing for pole is pretty good proof the system works.
Drivers and Umbrella Girls
Besides the machinery, star personalities – and were not even talking about the umbrella girls, are an integral part of the JGTC phenomenon. Some of Japan’s top drivers, Kazuyoshi Hoshino and "Drift King" Keiichi Tsuchiya (familiar to any Best Motoring Video fans), Masahiko and Masami Kageyama, current GT500 champions Junichi Wakisaka and Akira Iida, as well as GT 300 champions Morio Nitta and Shinichi Takagiare are contestants in the series along with many former Japan F3 Champions. The drivers list isn’t just Japan grown though as international experience comes from Ex-Formula One drivers and Ex Motorcycle GP World Champions who have and still compete in the series.
If and when (more when than if) the series sets foot in the States, you can also bet on the appearance of the famous aforementioned “umbrella girls” as well. A staple of the pits and a favorite of the fans (and media types like us), the umbrella girls are the original “import models”. Attractive women scantily clad in apparel that’s covered with my favorite aftermarket company logos – what’s not to like?
For the 2003 season, the series has its first round at the Aida Circuit on March 29. In total, seven points races will take place in Japan, one in Malaysia, as well as a planned All-Star event in Shanghai. Scenes from the 2002 season can also be seen on a special production called “On The Limit” that has been shown on Speed Channel with two remaining air dates (February 15 and 16, multiple air times, according to the Speedtv.com, under “Japan Touring Cars”).
We’ll also be bringing you more information on the Series as well as the U.S. trip as the season progresses. Check back frequently and visit the official JGTC site at www.jgtc.net for more information.
http://urbanracer.com/articles/anmviewer.asp?a=454&z=3