Japan Championship- The Write Up

Pre-Championship Talk
Hello once again GT4 fans! This is your driver/commentator RVD to bring you live flag to flag coverage of the Japan Championship sponsored by Mazda, PD, Sylvania, and Sony. This field will contain some of the best Japanese sports cars of all time, including the Honda NSX and Nissan Skyline. First stop for the drivers is Fuji Speedway '90's, a very, very fast track that can see speeds of over 160 MPH coming into the braking zone for Turn 1. RVD's running in a stock Mazda RX8 making 299 HP, but the other drivers are running in cars pushing over 400 HP, which means he'll have to rely on his superior cornering skills to pull off a victory.

Well, the drivers are ready to start the qualifying session. Let's see how they'll line up for the race after 2 timed laps:

Starting Grid

1. '01 Mazda RX-8 Concept (Type II)- 1:41.827 (RVD)
2. '97 Honda NSX Type S Zero
3. '99 Subaru Impreza Sedan WRX STI Ver.VI
4. '97 Nissan Skyline GT-R Vspec
5. '03 Infiniti G35 Coupe
6. '03 Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution VIII RS

On lap 1 of qualifying, RVD suprisingly beats the closest AI car by over 6 sec, but we all know that they take out the sandbags for the race. This race is 176 A-spec pts, which should mean an intense battle right down to the checkered flag. 👍

Race Report

The race is on! Despite starting on pole, RVD quickly gets passed by the NSX, Skyline, and Lancer Evolution due to wheelspin. The Impreza nearly runs him over, but luckily hits his brakes to avoid contact. Through turn 1, RVD passes the Evo on the outside to take back 3rd spot. He looks to the inside of the Skyline as well, but the Skyline's better acceleration takes him back by. However, coming to turn 3, RVD gets by the Skyline on the inside to take 2nd place. Now his sights are set on the NSX. RVD gains on the NSX a bit through the final chicane, but the superior top end of the NSX should carry him away once again. At the end of the first lap, RVD's a little over a second behind.

Lap 2: Coming into turn 1 at over 160 MPH, RVD gains a large amount of distance on the NSX and is able to pull alongside coming out of turn 1, but the NSX pulls away towards turn 2. RVD pulls alongside once again off turn 2 and has the inside line for turn 3, but the NSX doesn't want any part of that which results in yellow and green paint being traded in the short run to turn 4. RVD stays close to the NSX in the run to the chicane and even takes the lead for a brief moment exiting the chicane, but once again the NSX's power takes him back to the lead down the long front straightaway.

Lap 3: Heading into turn 1 for the third time, RVD once again gains a large amount of time in the braking zone and briefly pulls alongside before the straightaway to turn 2. Coming off turn 2, the NSX gets a little bit loose allowing RVD to pull alongside on the short run into turn 3, which RVD brakes a bit later than the NSX to pull in front and take the lead by a few carlengths. At T2, the lead RVD has over the NSX is 1.184 sec. As expected, the NSX gains on the run to the chicane, but falls back a bit exiting. The T3 interval is 1.558 sec. to the NSX, but with the long straightaway ahead, the NSX will probably gain most of that back. In an attempt to break the draft, RVD's running a very low line down the frontstretch, but it's no use as the NSX has cut the lead down to 0.860 sec. at the S/F line to begin lap 4.

Lap 4: The NSX continues to gain towards turn 1, but if RVD can stay in front of him, it will help him greatly. He's able to stay in front, but just as he's about to brake for turn 2, he gets a wheel in the grass and skids sideways, nearly spinning out. However, RVD keeps the car pointing in the right direction, but that mistake allows the NSX to gain some ground. But, the NSX loses the ground he made up because of a bobble in turn 4. At the T3 split, the interval to the NSX is 2.122 sec., the first time in the race that the interval between RVD and the NSX has been that large. As usual, the NSX chops off nearly a second by the S/F line to begin lap 5.

Lap 5 (Final Lap) : RVD has a comfortable but small lead heading into turn 1 for the final time. The NSX slips a bit allowing RVD to pull away to a 2 second lead at the T1 split. The T2 and T3 splits are over 3 sec, indicating that either RVD's getting better or the NSX's getting slower. But with the frontstretch still to go, the NSX will gain about a sec, but it won't be enough. RVD takes the checkered flag to win round 1 of the Japan Championship at Fuji Speedway '90's!


Race Results

1. '01 Mazda RX-8 Concept (Type II) (RVD)
2. '97 NSX Type S Zero (+2.600 sec)
3. '97 Nissan Skyline GT-R Vspec (+16.387 sec)
4. '99 Subaru Impreza Sedan WRX Type VI (+18.096 sec)
5. '03 Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution VIII RS (+21.056 sec)
6. '03 Infiniti G35 Coupe

Fastest Lap- 1:42.257 (Lap 5)

Overall it was an excellent race, with the RX-8 handling almost perfectly, but RVD preferred the info available after a race in GT3. Now for round 2 in Tsukuba after this commercial break......

Race 2- Tsukuba Circuit

And we're back after that rediculously long commercial break. For round 2 of the series, it's a trip to the small track of Tsukuba for 10 laps which should play into RVD's hands due to the lack of long straightaways. All the drivers are itching to get out there and qualify. Here's the starting grid:

Starting Grid

1. '01 Mazda RX-8 Concept (Type II) (RVD)- 1:05.067
2. '97 Honda NSX Type S Zero
3. '97 Nissan Skyline GT-R Vspec
4. '99 Subaru Impreza Sedan WRX Type VI
5. '03 Infiniti G35 Coupe
6. '03 Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution VIII RS

It's almost the same lineup as Fuji, but the Skyline outqualifies the Impreza. Enough pre-race chatter, let's go racing!

Race Report

Lap 1: Due to a rolling start, RVD's able to keep the lead going into turn 1 with the NSX hot on his trail. The NSX attempts to pass going into the 2nd hairpin, but wisely backs off. The gap to the NSX at the T2 split is a little over a second. Coming into the third and final hairpin, RVD brakes a bit too late but is able to keep the car on track and maintain the lead. RVD's lead at the end of lap 1 is 0.937 sec. over the NSX.

Laps 2-3: RVD continues to lead by a fairly small margin over the NSX. This race is already less exciting than Fuji due to the lack of long straights. 👎 RVD cracks the sub-1:05 club on lap 2 with a 1:04.964. Just like last race, the NSX appears to be RVD's only real competition. Lap 3 sees even less excitement than lap 2, but the fastest lap is improved to a 1:04.460. Could a 1:03 laptime be possible and will this race become more exciting?

Laps 4-5: The race has just taken a dramatic turn as RVD has spun the car under braking for the final hairpin. He recovers fairly quickly, but loses the lead to the NSX. The other competitors are battling for position while RVD and the NSX continue to pull away. RVD has 6 laps to make up 1.199 seconds on the NSX which should be easy in theory. The tires on both the NSX and the RX-8 driven by RVD should be warm now, making handling even more of a factor than before. RVD nearly breaks into the 1:03 club with a laptime of 1:04.093. The interval to the NSX hasn't changed that much since the spin.

Laps 6-7: RVD's getting closer to the NSX and can almost smell his exhaust. At the T2 split, the NSX is now only 0.513 sec. ahead. Coming into the final hairpin, RVD gains under braking and even pulls alongside the NSX, but the NSX's acceleration pulls him away from the RX-8. Coming off turn 9, the NSX runs a little wide but keeps all 4 wheels on track. Also RVD gets even closer to breaking into the 1:03 club with a 1:04.009. The NSX once again runs wide off turn 9, this time getting a wheel in the grass but is able to maintain control. RVD's broken into the 1:03 club with a time of 1:03.962. There's 3 laps to go and only a half second seperating these two drivers. It's shaping up to be an exciting finish. 👍 On a side note, the 4th place Impreza slides off course exiting turn 9, but maintains his spot.

Laps 8-9: The NSX pulls away ever so slightly from RVD through the twisty part of the track. It seems like he's finally stopped sandbagging and has turned up the heat. At the finish line, the NSX has a 1.199 sec. lead with only 2 laps to go, which makes a win at this point seem unlikely unless the NSX makes a major mistake. The NSX seems to have the win wrapped up coming into the final lap with a nearly 2 second lead. All RVD can do at this point is follow.

Lap 10 (Final Lap) : RVD turns up the heat in an attempt to close in on the NSX, but he seems destined to finish 2nd at this point. The NSX runs wide off the final corner but holds on to take the checkered flag at Tsukuba, his first win of the season. That spin RVD had on lap 4 ended up costing him the race as he comes home 2nd, 2.376 sec. behind the NSX.


Race Results

1. '97 Honda NSX Type S Zero
2. '01 Mazda RX-8 Concept (Type II) (RVD)- (+2.376 sec.)
3. '97 Nissan Skyline GT-R Vspec
4. '99 Subaru Impreza Sedan WRX Type VI
5. '03 Infiniti G35 Coupe
6. '03 Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution VIII RS

Fastest Lap- 1:03.261 (Lap 8)

Although RVD lost this round, he can't wait to go to Tokyo for Round 3 of the Japan Championship. The coverage will continue after another long commercial break.

Race 3- Tokyo R246 Reverse

And we're back after that even longer break. Next stop for the drivers is 5 laps of Tokyo R246 Reverse, a track with plenty of straightaways and high speed corners, which should favor the NSX more than it favors RVD and his RX-8. However, RVD's eager to get back to victory lane after that slip-up at Tsukuba, which should make for another exciting race.

Starting Grid

1. '01 Mazda RX-8 Concept (Type II) (RVD)- 1:56.144
2. '97 Honda NSX Type S Zero
3. '97 Nissan Skyline GT-R Vspec
4. '03 Infiniti G35 Coupe
5. '99 Subaru Impreza Sedan WRX STI Ver.VI
6. '03 Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution VIII RS

The shocker of the session came when the Infiniti actually outqualified both the Impreza and Lancer to take 4th spot on the grid, his best start of the season. Enough pre-race chatter, let's go racing!


Race Report

Lap 1: RVD gets a better standing start than at Fuji due to traction control, but still loses the lead to the NSX. He also loses spots to the Impreza and Skyline. The Lancer tries to make a move, but is unable to. Under braking for turn 1, RVD runs into the Impreza, but niether car suffers damage. Exiting turn 1, RVD takes 3rd spot away from the Impreza and sets his sights on the cars in front of him. Entering turn 2, he takes 2nd place from the Skyline and is in hot pursuit of the NSX. The other competitors seem to be struggling on cold tires, but we all know what happens when their tires warm up. In redemption for Tsukuba, RVD takes the lead through turn 10 and hopes to open up some distance on the NSX before his tires warm up. At T3, RVD's lead is about 1.5 sec., but as expected, the NSX chops that in half by the finish line.

Lap 2: In an attempt to pass RVD going into turn 1, the NSX clips him in the rear but is unsuccessful in passing. Both cars run wide into turn 1 with the NSX brushing the outside wall and losing time to RVD. The lead over the NSX at T1 has grown to 3.053 sec. But as we all know, the NSX will try to make a late race charge. At the T3 split, RVD's lead over the NSX has grown to 4.567 sec., which may mean that the driver of the NSX is having problems with his car early in this race. The 3rd-6th place competitors are running fairly close together at this point, which means one slip by the 3rd place car will drop him back a few positions. The NSX has gained a bit of his defecit back from T3 to the S/F line due to his better top end acceleration.

Laps 3-4: RVD once again runs a bit wide into turn 1, but keeps his car off the wall to open up a whopping 5.164 sec. lead at T1. The 3rd place car has broken away from his group, but 4th-6th are still tightly bunched. The NSX is struggling to get around this track as he falls to 7.446 sec behind RVD, but is still holding on to 2nd place. For the first time all race, the NSX maintains his defecit to RVD at T1, meaning that the late race charge from him is finally taking place. It may be too late however as 7+ seconds over 2 laps is very hard to make up unless he starts cheating or using NOS. 👎 He actually falls back to 8.038 sec. at the T3 split, making a win for RVD likely unless the RX-8 blows up.

Lap 5 (Final Lap) : For the first time, RVD gets the braking point into turn 1 just right. However, exiting turn 3, he bumps the wall but suffers no damage. The 3rd-6th place cars have spread themselves out. The NSX gains over a sec at the T1 split to close the gap to under 7 sec. At T3 however, he loses a whopping 3 sec due to ping-ponging off the walls, sealing RVD's 2nd win of the season. As RVD comes off the final corner, all 150,000+ fans are on their feet as he takes the checkered flag at Tokyo!


Race Results

1. '01 Mazda RX-8 Concept (Type II) (RVD)
2. '97 Honda NSX Type S Zero (+ 9.692 sec.)
3. '99 Subaru Impreza Sedan WRX STI Ver.VI (+ 15.141 sec.)
4. '97 Nissan Skyline GT-R Vspec (+ 19.744 sec.)
5. '03 Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution VIII RS (+ 20.737 sec.)
6. '03 Infiniti G35 Coupe (+ 21.718 sec.)

Fastest Lap- 1:55.311 (Lap 3)

RVD redeems himself with a dominating performance at Tokyo and regains the points lead by 4 over the NSX. Next race is Twin Ring Motegi, a race where the NSX has been difficult to beat in the past. Coverage of the Japan Championship continues after these messages from our sponsors........

Race 4- Twin Ring Motegi- Road Course

....What may be the world's longest commercial break has finally come to an end. Coverage resumes just in time for 4 laps of Motegi, a track which the NSX has been tough to beat in the past. RVD hopes to put an end to the NSX's dominance and win 2 in a row. The drivers are anxious to get rolling, so let's set the starting grid for today's race:

Starting Grid

1. '01 Mazda RX-8 Concept (Type II)- 2:11.553
2. '97 Honda NSX Type S Zero
3. '97 Nissan Skyline GT-R Vspec
4. '03 Infiniti G35 Coupe
5. '99 Subaru Impreza Sedan WRX STI Ver.VI
6. '03 Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution VIII RS

What a shocker! RVD wins his 4th straight pole by a staggering 7.296 seconds over the NSX on his first lap to make it 4/4 in qualifying. But, the NSX is still wearing his sandbags, meaning he'll be much faster during the race. Enough of keeping everyone waiting, let's get rolling!


Race Report

Lap 1: RVD gets a clean start and leads the field through the first 2 turns with the NSX close behind. The lead at the T1 split is 0.855 seconds, meaning any slip-up by RVD can cost him the lead. RVD extends his lead a bit at T2, but the NSX is on cold tires, so RVD can't stop driving hard. Coming down the frontstretch for Motegi- East Course, the NSX bump-drafts RVD in the rear then quickly falls back.

Lap 2: Entering turn 1, the NSX nearly runs into the back of RVD but wisely back off at the last moment. RVD knows he has to keep the NSX behind him at all costs. At T1, the lead is only 0.355 seconds, and coming into turn 3, the NSX rams RVD in the rear in an unsuccessful attempt to take the lead. He tries again entering turn 7 but smartly decides against it. However, entering turn 8 he's not so courteous and rams RVD yet again. Coming down the longest straightaway, RVD is doing everything he can to maintain his position. The NSX realizes this and backs off. The race is shaping up to be a slugfest to the very end. Crossing the S/F line for the 2nd time, RVD's lead is just 1.461 seconds with 2 laps to go. This is the point in the race where the NSX turns up the heat, so RVD has to keep driving a smart, defensive race.

Lap 3: For the first time all race, RVD has a small but comfortable lead of 1.964 seconds at the T1 split. The NSX appears to be getting ready to make his charge. At T2, the NSX gains almost a tenth on his way to gaining 0.740 sec from T1-T3. His charge is underway and RVD is fully aware of that. RVD chops over 2 sec off his fastest lap but still loses nearly a second to the NSX with only 1 lap to go.

Lap 4 (Final Lap) : Entering turn 1 for the final time, the NSX once again tries to ram RVD off the road but wisely thinks twice about it. Exiting turn 1, the NSX gets a wheel on the grass but is able to maintain control. Through turn 2, the NSX slips allowing RVD a tiny bit of breathing room for the 2nd of 5 long straightaways. The NSX must be pushing hard as he once again slips on the exit of turn 3 giving RVD yet more room. At T2, RVD's lead is a bit over 1 second, but the NSX's strong section is coming up: straightaways 4 & 5 connected by a hairpin. If RVD can hold the lead through this section, he has an excellent chance of victory. Entering the 5th and final long straightaway, the NSX is on RVD's rear bumper, but for some strange reason backs off shortly after T3, losing ground to the RX-8. Coming into turn 9, RVD nearly brakes too late but somehow holds the car down to the bottom, preventing the NSX from gaining ground. Exiting the final corner, the fans see RVD in the lead and start going wild. RVD's done it! He wins race 4 of the Japan Championship by only 0.454 seconds over the NSX! 👍


Race Results

1. '01 Mazda RX8 Concept (Type II) (RVD)
2. '97 Honda NSX Type S Zero (+ 0.454 sec.)
3. '03 Infiniti G35 Coupe (+ 15.155 sec.)
4. '97 Nissan Skyline GT-R Vspec (+ 17.790 sec.)
5. '99 Subaru Impreza Sedan WRX STI Ver.VI (+ 18.055 sec.)
6. '03 Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution VIII RS (+ 25.809 sec.)

Fastest Lap- 2:11.344 (Lap 4)

What an exciting race that was for the fans and drivers! It boiled down to driver skill and RVD not giving the NSX any opportunity to pass him. The Infiniti posts a 3rd place finish, by far his best result this season. The next and final stop for the drivers is the legendary Suzuka Circuit. Coverage of that race will occur after this record setting commercial break........

Race 5- Suzuka Circuit

...Well, that commercial break's finally over. The final race of the Japan Championship has arrived at the legendary and technical Suzuka Circuit. After the attempts by the NSX to take RVD out last race and the blocking done by RVD, the GTA (Gran Turismo Association) has warned both drivers to stay away from each other on the track, but judging on the past, that may be difficult. As usual, here's the starting grid for today's race:

Starting Grid

1. '01 Mazda RX-8 Concept (Type II) (RVD)- 2:23.559
2. '97 Nissan Skyline GT-R Vspec
3. '97 Honda NSX Type S Zero
4. '03 Infiniti G35 Coupe
5. '03 Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution VIII RS
6. '99 Subaru Impreza Sedan WRX STI Ver.VI

What a shocker in qualifying as the NSX will not start 2nd for the first time all season. RVD qualifies on the pole by 7.971 sec to make it 5/5 for poles. 👍 Enough waiting, let's get it on!


Race Report

Lap 1: RVD quickly slips to 4th off the line due to wheelspin. Just as quickly as he loses the spots, he's already gained 2 of them back. The Infiniti makes several lunges at RVD but avoids making contact. RVD closely follows the Skyline through the esses, and exting Dunlop Curve towards the run to Degner Curve, he pulls alongside the Skyline to briefly take the lead. Coming into the 2nd part of Degner Curve, the Skyline nearly spins RVD out allowing the field to catch up. RVD maintains the lead until Spoon Curve, where he lets the Skyline by to try and bump him off the road, but the Skyline somehow holds the road. RVD's not done yet though, and runs the Skyline wide on exit. Through all this chaos, the Infiniti emerges as the surprise leader over RVD. Nearing T3 and 130R, the NSX grabs 3rd place from the Skyline. RVD outbrakes the Infiniti entering Casio Triangle but comes dangerously close to running off course. However, he's able to slow the car enough to keep him on track and in the lead.

Lap 2: Shortly after the S/F line, the Infiniti and NSX pass RVD to knock him back to 3rd. Just when they though Motegi was a slugfest, Suzuka has already become the biggest slugfest of the season. Entering Anti-Banked Curve, RVD makes a bold move on the outside to reclaim 1st place. RVD has a small lead of 1.170 sec. over the Infiniti at T1. The 5th place Impreza runs off the road and gives 5th place back to the Skyline. Entering 130R, the NSX grabs 2nd and sets his sights on RVD in his RX-8. At the S/F line, RVD has a 2.463 sec. lead with 2 laps to go.

Lap 3: RVD's constantly checking his mirrors to see when the NSX will start dropping the sandbags. Entering Dunlop Curve, RVD drops his right rear wheel in the grass but keeps on going with no problem. The race appears to have calmed down for the moment, but the last lap should be exciting. At T3, the NSX gains about a second to close the gap to 2.164 sec. He gains further ground on RVD through the final section to close the gap to 1.980 sec with only 1 lap to go in the Japan Championship.

Lap 4 (Final Lap) : The NSX appears to be driving like a madman in order to close the gap. His infamous late race charge is well underway as he gains 0.591 sec. from the S/F line to T1. The NSX pressures RVD from the hairpin all the way to Spoon Curve, where he slips a bit on exit. Entering 130R, the NSX bumps RVD in the rear as a last resort to steal the race win. RVD appears to have this race in the bag as he rounds the final corner. The fans are going insane because they know he's just won the final race of the Japan Championship and also the overall championship!!! 👍


Race Results

1. '01 Mazda RX-8 Concept (Type II) (RVD)
2. '97 Honda NSX Type S Zero (+ 0.750 sec.)
3. '03 Infiniti G35 Coupe (+ 5.668 sec.)
4. '03 Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution VIII RS (+ 12.112 sec.)
5. '99 Subaru Impreza WRX STI Ver.VI (+ 13.309 sec.)
6. '97 Nissan Skyline GT-R Vspec (+ 15.150 sec)

Fastest Lap- 2:23.621 (Lap 3)

What an exciting finale that was to the Japan Championship! RVD wins the overall title with an 80% win and a 100% pole ratio, which is insane in today's racing world.


Post Championship Commentary

RVD's about to make an announcement: "Hello to all the TV viewers of the championship. I know you've enjoyed hearing me in the booth and watching me race. However, things in life change and move on. Well, I'm stepping out of the commentator's booth to focus solely on my racing career. I'll miss commentating for PD's TV coverage, but as I said earlier, life changes. Have a great day everyone." What a shocker! RVD is stepping down from commentary. This will be a big loss for PD's live TV coverage of the races. As a final parting gift in addition to the $35,000 from the sponsors for winning the championship, RVD will recieve the keys to a 2002 Nissan 350Z Concept LM Race Car. This has been one of the best race series that this team of commentators has ever called. Live flag-to-flag coverage of the Japan Championship has been brought to you by Mazda, Sony, PD, Sylvania, and Microsoft. Good night GT4 race fans and remember to always drive safely!

Final Points Standings

1. '01 Mazda RX-8 Concept (Type II) (RVD)- 46 pts.
2. '97 Honda NSX Type S Zero- 34 pts.
3. '97 Nissan Skyline GT-R Vspec- 15 pts.
4. '99 Subaru Impreza Sedan WRX STI Ver.VI- 14 pts.
5. '03 Infiniti G35 Coupe- 12 pts.
6. '03 Mistubishi Lancer Evolution VIII RS- 9 pts.

Good write up, will be sad if this does turn out to be your last "commentary" as you've suggested in the last post.

In the meantime keep up the good racing, and hopefully you'll catch the write-up bug again soon!

Smallhorses

Good write up, will be sad if this does turn out to be your last "commentary" as you've suggested in the last post.

In the meantime keep up the good racing, and hopefully you'll catch the write-up bug again soon!

Click to expand...

That whole, "I'm stepping down from commentary." is just part of the report. It's not my last report, I'm just taking a break from it, that's all.

some really good reports man, keep it up 👍

Nice writeups RVD. + rep.
Hope to see more despite your comment of concentrating on racing only from now on.


AMG.

Sorry if I didn't make this clear earlier: I like doing these write-ups, but racing's more fun.