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Back again after the summer break for another endurance race. Have warmed up by winning the Polyphony Digital Cup in a MGF.
Here I have a RE Amemiya Asparadrink RX-7, a name I probably can't even pronounce properly.
Anyway, in practice it was doing high 2:08s on R1s, which I am not sure will be good enough for this lineup
(200 a-spec points):
Opel Astra Touring Car 484hp, 1000kg
Toyota Au Cerumo Supra (JGTC) 495hp, 1,100kg
Nissan Pennzoil Zexel GT-R (JGTC) 505hp, 1,100kg
Honda Mobil 1 NSX (JGTC) 516kg, 1,150kg
Opel Calibra Touring Car 448hp, 1040kg
Mazda RE Amemiya Asparadrink RX-7 340hp, 1,100kg
I have raced against this exact same lineup last year in the Tokyo 300km race, which I won by 5 seconds in a Spoon S2000 LM Race Car. The finishing order was as follows:
Spoon S2000 LM Race Car
Opel Astra Touring Car +4.7s
Honda Mobil 1 NSX +25s
Nissan Pennzoil Zexel GT-R +30s
Toyota au Cerumo Supra +35s
Opel Calibra Touring Car +2 laps
What will happen this time? Stay tuned!
Lap 1: 2:18.091 (+2.3s) Pass the Calibra and go around in 5th before passing the Zexel into the chicane. The Supra leads from the NSX, the Astra, and me.
Lap 2: 2:13.727 (+2.2s) Pass the Astra deeeeeeeeeeeeeeeepppp under brakes into the chicane. Now in
3rd.
Lap 3: 2:09.413 (-1.2s) Pass the NSX into turn 9 and the Astra just after 130R
Lap 4: 2:10.103 (-2.0s) Strangly, with fresh air and no mistakes, I do a lap 0.7s slower than the previous one. No draft, I suppose. I pull 2 seconds in the first sector alone, but the Supra almost gets it all back in sector 2, before I gain another half second in sector 3.
Lap 5: 2:08.830 (-2.2s) I only gain a second this time in sector 1, which shows that the A1s' tyres are finally warming up.
Lap 6: 2:08.515 (-2.8s) At this stage, I starting to think of pit strategy. At this stage, 12-15 laps seems to be the predicted life for my tyres. I wonder how many the A1s can do?
Lap 7: 2:08.141 (-3.6s)
Lap 8: 2:08.931 (-3.9s)
Lap 9: 2:08.786 (-4.7s)
Lap 10: 2:09.446 (-4.1s) The Supra gains on me for the first time.
Lap 11: 2:08.950 (-4.6s)
Lap 12: 2:08.182 (-5.4s) 2nd-5th are still in a bunch. The Calibra is about 45 seconds behind.
Lap 13: 2:07.951 (-6.6s) The Calibra pits from last place.
Lap 14: 2:08.056 (-7.8s)
Lap 15: 2:08.353 (-8.9s) The Supra and Zexel pit. The NSX is now in 2nd. My R1s are holding together brilliantly.
Lap 16: 2:10.172 (-7.2s) The NSX and Astra pit. Just as I said my tyres were holding together, they start to go off on this lap!
Lap 17: pit in (-37.3s). Only used 2/3rds of the fuel tank, so just top up a little. I can get through this race on 9 stops. The Supra and Zexel need 11 stops. The NSX and Astra need 10 stops.
Lap 18: 2:35.833 (-14.1s) The NSX is now a clear 2nd.
Lap 19: 2:09.652 (-16.5s)
Lap 20: 2:09.790 (-17.8s)
Lap 21: 2:08.415 (-17.3s). Wow. The NSX does a 7.9 to close the gap slightly!
Lap 22: 2:08.776 (-16.6s). And again! 8.0 this time for the NSX.
Lap 23: 2:08.221 (-17.3s). I get him back this time.
Lap 24: 2:08.348 (-17.0s). The see-saw continues.
Lap 25: 2:08.045 (-17.4s)
Lap 26: 2:08.277 (-17.6s)
Lap 27: 2:08.448 (-17.3s) The Calibra pits just as I am coming up to lap him.
Lap 28: 2:08.147 (-17.9s) One hour gone.
Lap 29: 2:08.307 (-17.9s)
Lap 30: 2:07.971 (-17.5s) Fastest lap of the race for the NSX. A 7.5! The Supra and Zexel pit for the 2nd time.
Lap 31: 2:09.002 (-16.7s)
Lap 32: 2:09.013 (-16.7s) The NSX and Astra pit in for the 2nd time.
Lap 33: 2:09.924 (-47.4s) Pit in for the 2nd time as I was running very low on fuel. Had planned to get 18 laps out of that stint. Put in more fuel this time.
Lap 34: 2:38.932 (-21.1s)
Lap 35: 2:09.995 (-24.7s)
Lap 36: 2:08.310 (-27.6s) Blowing the NSX away at the moment on new tyres. Providing I make no huge mistakes, this looks all over.
Lap 37: 2:08.879 (-27.4s)
Lap 38: 2:09.118 (-27.0s)
Lap 39: 2:09.119 (-26.4s) 0.001s off from pulling off the freakish occurance of two consecutive laps at exactly the same lap time! Consistent enough for ya?
Lap 40: 2:10.408 (-24.4s) A little too deep under brakes into the chicane. Didn't go off the road, but had to tiptoe around the edge of the corner. First mistake in about 90 minutes of racing. Not bad.
Lap 41: 2:08.756 (-24.6s)
Lap 42: 2:10.080 (-23.3s) Not sure why that was so slow.
Lap 43: 2:09.453 (-22.3s)
Lap 44: 2:09.266 (-21.6s)
Lap 45: 2:08.764 (-20.9s) The NSX really on a charge now. Meanwhile, the Supra and Zexel pit in from
4th and 5th, 35 and 38 seconds behind, respectfully.
Lap 46: 2:09.535 (-19.7s)
Lap 47: 2:10.414 (-17.1s)
Lap 48: 2:10.460 (-15.6s) The NSX pits in from 2nd. The Astra also pits in from 3rd, albeit some 55 seconds down. He must have really had problems with his tyres in the final laps. He will surely drop down to 5th now behind the Supra and Zexel.
Lap 49: 2:09.842 (-46.5s) Lap the Calibra for the 2nd time, this time by passing him on the track.
Lap 50: 2:11.796 (-47.6s)
Lap 51: 2:13.066 (-46.7s) Pit for the 3rd time. 18 laps in that stint so still on schedule to do the race in 9 stops. Struggled though to post some good lap times in that stint. Only 4/18 laps were 2:08s, compared to 10/17 in the previous stint. Horsepower loss after a pre-race oil change?
Lap 52: 2:39.923 (-18.1s)
Lap 53: 2:11.567 (-15.5s) A rusty lap settling back in after not playing all day yesterday.
Lap 54: 2:10.402 (-13.6s)
Lap 55: 2:10.239 (-12.3s) Relap the Calibra for the 2nd time as he pits in front of me on the road.
Lap 56: 2:09.951 (-10.7s)
Lap 57: 2:09.547 (-10.0s) Reaching 240km/h down the front straight towards turn 1, and 233km/h before 130R
Lap 58: 2:11.454 (-6.7s) Almost went off the road at Dunlop. Had a few slight braking errors for the rest of the lap trying to make up the lost time. The pressure is right on now!
Lap 59: 2:10.782 (-4.0s) A flat 8.0 for the NSX. He is charging after the lead!
Lap 60: 2:11.046 (-1.0s) Almost went off the road again at Dunlop. Dear oh dear! The Zexel and Supra pit from 2nd and 3rd resfectfully.
Lap 61: 2:10.971 (+1.7s) Mistake at turn 6 means that the NSX takes the lead!
Lap 62: 2:08.658 (+2.4s) Tried very hard on that lap, but it still wasn't enough.
Lap 63: 2:09.298 (+3.7s)
Lap 64: 2:09.122 (+3.9s) The NSX pits. Right, time to put some fast laps in. The Astra also pits from 2nd place.
Lap 65: 2:10.121 (-27.4s) Not good enough.
Lap 66: 2:10.140 (-30.1s) Consistently mediocre. Should still get the lead back, though.
Lap 67: 2:10.829 (-30.9s)
Lap 68: 2:12.752 (-30.3s)
Lap 69: 2:38.578 (-0.6s) Pit for the 4th time. Rejoin in the lead but the NSX closes in all lap.
Lap 70: 2:11.389 (+1.0) Action packed lap! The NSX goes past me after the start-finish line, but I pass him on the outside of turn 1! He hounds me and then passes me ahead of 130R. I go through 130R very fast, get two wheels on the grass and almost lose it and take the NSX out at the same time. I overshoot slightly into the chicane and he sweeps around to take the lead.
Lap 71: 2:18.945 (+9.2) Is this the defining moment of the race? I retake the lead at Dunlop. The NSX tries to repass me through the 200R sweeper on the outside. I stupidly try to block him but run wide, and spin in the sand. I then massively overshoot 130R in frustration. The Zexel is now only 14s behind me in 3rd.
Laps 72-100: I forgot to save the edit but the NSX's lead goes out to 15 seconds before he pits on lap 80. I retake the lead and pit on lap 86. I come out about 6 seconds behind the NSX and he builds it again to 16seconds before pitting on lap 96. I push very hard and and about 25 seconds ahead at the end of lap 100. I did a 2:07.999 on lap 99, only my second time in the 2:07s. Lapped the Calibra for the 3rd and 4th times.
Lap 101: 2:09.883 (-26.3s)
Lap 102: 2:11.795 (-23.4s)
Lap 103: 2:37.785 (+5.5s) Pit for the 6th time. The Calibra gets on of his laps back. I still have one more pitstop in hand, but only did 16 laps on that stint. Need to do 70 more laps, on 4 stints, half of which must be 18 laps.
Lap 104: 2:08.910 (+6.1s)
Lap 105: 2:08.661 (+6.3s) The Zexel and Supra pit from 3rd and 4th.
Lap 106: 2:15.851 (+13.3s) Go off and spin in the sand on the exit of turn 5. So bloody frustrating! Was developing into a great battle.
Lap 107: 2:08.468 (+10.7s) Make some time back as the NSX gets stuck lapping the Calibra. Boy, did I need that!
Lap 108: 2:09.331 (+11.2s)
Lap 109: 2:08.988 (+11.8s)
Lap 110: 2:08.450 (+11.7s)
After four hours:
Honda Mobil 1 NSX 110 laps (6 stops)
Mazda RE Amemiya Asparadrink RX-7 +11.7s (6 stops)
Nissan Pennzoil Zexel GT-R +52s (7 stops)
Opel Astra Touring Car +1:15s (6 stops)
Toyota au Cerumo Supra +1:41s (7 stops)
Opel Calibra Touring Car +4 laps (7 stops)
Lap 111: 2:08.859 (+12.6s) Car seems to have very good turn-in at this stage. I can't complain about the handling.
Lap 112: 2:09.690 (+13.7s) The NSX pits as I do a fairly mediocre lap. Despite my ill feeling at the loss of power before, the car is certainly quite capable of doing 2:08s if the driver keeps his act together! The Astra also pits from 4th, and rejoins 5th, in danger of being lapped.
Lap 113: 2:09.470 (-18.5s)
Lap 114: 2:08.803 (-21.9s)
Lap 115: 2:08.419 (-26.2s)
Lap 116: 2:08.373 (-29.3s)
Lap 117: 2:08.342 (-29.6s)
Lap 118: 2:09.681 (-28.7s)
Lap 119: 2:11.193 (-25.9s)
Lap 120: 2:37.518 (+3.0s) Pit from the lead and rejoin just behind the NSX. Let the battle begin again! The Zexel and au also pit.
Lap 121: 2:11.545 (+6.0s) A very rusty lap. Have been away for a couple of days.
Lap 122: 2:09.210 (+6.6s)
Lap 123: 2:09.033 (+7.8s)
Lap 124: 2:08.823 (+8.1s)
Lap 125: 2:09.029 (+8.5s)
Lap 126: 2:09.424 (+10.5s) The NSX does a 7.4! Must be the fastest lap of the race so far.
Lap 127: 2:09.546 (+11.7s)
Lap 128: 2:09.054 (+11.0s) The NSX pits for the 8th time. The Astra also pits and thus goes a lap down.
Lap 129: 2:08.244 (-21.4s)
Lap 130: 2:08.977 (-25.4s) Lap the Calibra for the 5th time and lose a little time doing so.
Lap 131: 2:08.765 (-28.9s)
Lap 132: 2:11.439 (-28.3s) A couple of hairy moments at turns 2 and 8 (Degner).
Lap 133: 2:08.962 (-27.7s)
Lap 134: 2:09.456 (-27.0s)
Lap 135: 2:09.941 (-24.9s) Only 16 laps down in this stint and already my tyres feel like they are losing grip fast. I planned to make 18 laps on this stint. The Zexel pits from 3rd position, now only 38 seconds behind me. He has made up a lot of ground. The Supra goes a lap down when he pits from 4th.
Lap 136: 2:11.984 (-21.7s)
Lap 137: 2:13.843 (-16.4s). Pit from the lead. Another 18 and 17 lap stint to go. The NSX retakes the lead and the Astra and Supra get their laps back.
Lap 138: 2:39.657 (+14.9s). A net gain of almost 4 seconds for the NSX on that round of pitstops. This is getting too close for comfort.
Lap 139: 2:10.245 (+15.3s)
Lap 140: 2:08.956 (+15.8s)
Lap 141: 2:08.836 (+16.6s)
Lap 142: 2:08.563 (+17.6s)
Lap 143: 2:09.745 (+19.4s) Almost spin at Spoon! A spin here could spell the end of my chances.
Lap 144: 2:08.325 (+19.3s) The NSX pits. He was really flying in those last few laps. I felt powerless. The Astra also pits and thus goes down a lap again. The Supra repasses him for 4th place.
Lap 145: 2:08.184 (-12.9s) The margin you see is the real gap now. We both have 1 more stop to make.
Lap 146: 2:08.495 (-17.5s) The NSX is stuck behind the Astra. This could be crucial!
Lap 147: 2:08.561 (-21.1s)
Lap 148: 2:08.382 (-24.4s)
Lap 149: 2:08.652 (-25.6s) The NSX is still behind the Astra! This is costing him the race!!!
Lap 150: 2:09.325 (-26.2s) The Zexel and Supra pit. The Supra goes down a lap. In fact, the Supra is coming out right in front of the Astra and NSX so that is lapped car for the NSX to deal with. This really is a disaster for Honda!
Lap 151: 2:09.328 (-26.6s)
Lap 152: 2:09.404 (-26.3s) There is now a line of three cars all nose-to-tail: The Supra, Astra and NSX.
Lap 153: 2:10.845 (-26.8s) Put the Calibra down another lap. He is 6 laps down now.
Lap 154: 2:11.112 (-29.0s) A disaster of a lap for the NSX. He is still stuck behind the Supra and Astra.
Lap 155: 2:13.995 (-25.3s) Pit for the final time. Tank 2/3rds full (hope it's enough!!!) and away we go. The group of three cars zooms past, the NSX still at the rear of the train!
Lap 156: 2:37.926 (+3.0s)
Lap 157: 2:11.036 (+5.0s) Overshoot at turn 9 and put a couple of wheels in the sand.
Lap 158: 2:09.706 (+5.4s)
Lap 159: 2:08.155 (+2.9s) What is happening here? The NSX is still stuck behind the Astra and Supra and I am coming up on all of them!
Lap 160: 2:08.343 (+0.1s) The NSX pits for the final time and what a dejected pit crew they must be!
It would have been a very close finish if it wasn't for the lapped traffic.
Lap 161: 2:09.523 (-30.1s) The Astra pits for the final time and once again goes a lap down, a lap which he won't be getting back this time. The Zexel has actually closed right up on the NSX in the fight for second place, but unfortunately he has to pit again.
Lap 162: 2:09.376 (-30.8s) The Zexel has taken 2nd place!
Lap 163: 2:09.467 (-29.0s) I lap the Supra. The Honda pit crew must be feeling sick looking at how easy I lap cars!
Lap 164: 2:08.407 (-28.6s)
Lap 165: 2:08.519 (-29.3s). The Zexel pits for the final time and hands back 2nd place to the NSX. The Supra also pits for the final time.
Lap 166: 2:08.522 (-39.5s)
Lap 167: 2:09.156 (-38.3s)
Lap 168: 2:09.352 (-40.6s) Oh dear. The NSX stuck behind lapped traffic again!
Lap 169: 2:08.568 (-43.5s)
Lap 170: 2:11.937 (-39.8s) Had a mini lose at turn 6 (Gyaku bank). Not really concentrating full tilt anymore. Gonna try to bring the car home nice and smooth for the final two laps, though.
Lap 171: 2:08.860 (-39.4s) Last lap board is out!
Lap 172: 2:12.358 (-35.0 est.) The chequered flag is out!!! The champagne will be flowing at the Suzuka bars tonight!
Final Standings:
Mazda RE Amemiya Asparadrink RX-7 6:15:55.451 (9 stops)
Honda Mobil 1 NSX (JGTC) +approx. 35s (10 stops)
Nissan Pennzoil Zexel GT-R (JGTC) +approx. 1:05s (11 stops)
Toyota Au Cerumo Supra (JGTC) +1 lap (11 stops)
Opel Astra Touring Car +1 lap (10 stops)
Opel Calibra Touring Car +6 laps (13 stops)
Here I have a RE Amemiya Asparadrink RX-7, a name I probably can't even pronounce properly.
Anyway, in practice it was doing high 2:08s on R1s, which I am not sure will be good enough for this lineup
(200 a-spec points):
Opel Astra Touring Car 484hp, 1000kg
Toyota Au Cerumo Supra (JGTC) 495hp, 1,100kg
Nissan Pennzoil Zexel GT-R (JGTC) 505hp, 1,100kg
Honda Mobil 1 NSX (JGTC) 516kg, 1,150kg
Opel Calibra Touring Car 448hp, 1040kg
Mazda RE Amemiya Asparadrink RX-7 340hp, 1,100kg
I have raced against this exact same lineup last year in the Tokyo 300km race, which I won by 5 seconds in a Spoon S2000 LM Race Car. The finishing order was as follows:
Spoon S2000 LM Race Car
Opel Astra Touring Car +4.7s
Honda Mobil 1 NSX +25s
Nissan Pennzoil Zexel GT-R +30s
Toyota au Cerumo Supra +35s
Opel Calibra Touring Car +2 laps
What will happen this time? Stay tuned!
Lap 1: 2:18.091 (+2.3s) Pass the Calibra and go around in 5th before passing the Zexel into the chicane. The Supra leads from the NSX, the Astra, and me.
Lap 2: 2:13.727 (+2.2s) Pass the Astra deeeeeeeeeeeeeeeepppp under brakes into the chicane. Now in
3rd.
Lap 3: 2:09.413 (-1.2s) Pass the NSX into turn 9 and the Astra just after 130R
Lap 4: 2:10.103 (-2.0s) Strangly, with fresh air and no mistakes, I do a lap 0.7s slower than the previous one. No draft, I suppose. I pull 2 seconds in the first sector alone, but the Supra almost gets it all back in sector 2, before I gain another half second in sector 3.
Lap 5: 2:08.830 (-2.2s) I only gain a second this time in sector 1, which shows that the A1s' tyres are finally warming up.
Lap 6: 2:08.515 (-2.8s) At this stage, I starting to think of pit strategy. At this stage, 12-15 laps seems to be the predicted life for my tyres. I wonder how many the A1s can do?
Lap 7: 2:08.141 (-3.6s)
Lap 8: 2:08.931 (-3.9s)
Lap 9: 2:08.786 (-4.7s)
Lap 10: 2:09.446 (-4.1s) The Supra gains on me for the first time.
Lap 11: 2:08.950 (-4.6s)
Lap 12: 2:08.182 (-5.4s) 2nd-5th are still in a bunch. The Calibra is about 45 seconds behind.
Lap 13: 2:07.951 (-6.6s) The Calibra pits from last place.
Lap 14: 2:08.056 (-7.8s)
Lap 15: 2:08.353 (-8.9s) The Supra and Zexel pit. The NSX is now in 2nd. My R1s are holding together brilliantly.
Lap 16: 2:10.172 (-7.2s) The NSX and Astra pit. Just as I said my tyres were holding together, they start to go off on this lap!
Lap 17: pit in (-37.3s). Only used 2/3rds of the fuel tank, so just top up a little. I can get through this race on 9 stops. The Supra and Zexel need 11 stops. The NSX and Astra need 10 stops.
Lap 18: 2:35.833 (-14.1s) The NSX is now a clear 2nd.
Lap 19: 2:09.652 (-16.5s)
Lap 20: 2:09.790 (-17.8s)
Lap 21: 2:08.415 (-17.3s). Wow. The NSX does a 7.9 to close the gap slightly!
Lap 22: 2:08.776 (-16.6s). And again! 8.0 this time for the NSX.
Lap 23: 2:08.221 (-17.3s). I get him back this time.
Lap 24: 2:08.348 (-17.0s). The see-saw continues.
Lap 25: 2:08.045 (-17.4s)
Lap 26: 2:08.277 (-17.6s)
Lap 27: 2:08.448 (-17.3s) The Calibra pits just as I am coming up to lap him.
Lap 28: 2:08.147 (-17.9s) One hour gone.
Lap 29: 2:08.307 (-17.9s)
Lap 30: 2:07.971 (-17.5s) Fastest lap of the race for the NSX. A 7.5! The Supra and Zexel pit for the 2nd time.
Lap 31: 2:09.002 (-16.7s)
Lap 32: 2:09.013 (-16.7s) The NSX and Astra pit in for the 2nd time.
Lap 33: 2:09.924 (-47.4s) Pit in for the 2nd time as I was running very low on fuel. Had planned to get 18 laps out of that stint. Put in more fuel this time.
Lap 34: 2:38.932 (-21.1s)
Lap 35: 2:09.995 (-24.7s)
Lap 36: 2:08.310 (-27.6s) Blowing the NSX away at the moment on new tyres. Providing I make no huge mistakes, this looks all over.
Lap 37: 2:08.879 (-27.4s)
Lap 38: 2:09.118 (-27.0s)
Lap 39: 2:09.119 (-26.4s) 0.001s off from pulling off the freakish occurance of two consecutive laps at exactly the same lap time! Consistent enough for ya?
Lap 40: 2:10.408 (-24.4s) A little too deep under brakes into the chicane. Didn't go off the road, but had to tiptoe around the edge of the corner. First mistake in about 90 minutes of racing. Not bad.
Lap 41: 2:08.756 (-24.6s)
Lap 42: 2:10.080 (-23.3s) Not sure why that was so slow.
Lap 43: 2:09.453 (-22.3s)
Lap 44: 2:09.266 (-21.6s)
Lap 45: 2:08.764 (-20.9s) The NSX really on a charge now. Meanwhile, the Supra and Zexel pit in from
4th and 5th, 35 and 38 seconds behind, respectfully.
Lap 46: 2:09.535 (-19.7s)
Lap 47: 2:10.414 (-17.1s)
Lap 48: 2:10.460 (-15.6s) The NSX pits in from 2nd. The Astra also pits in from 3rd, albeit some 55 seconds down. He must have really had problems with his tyres in the final laps. He will surely drop down to 5th now behind the Supra and Zexel.
Lap 49: 2:09.842 (-46.5s) Lap the Calibra for the 2nd time, this time by passing him on the track.
Lap 50: 2:11.796 (-47.6s)
Lap 51: 2:13.066 (-46.7s) Pit for the 3rd time. 18 laps in that stint so still on schedule to do the race in 9 stops. Struggled though to post some good lap times in that stint. Only 4/18 laps were 2:08s, compared to 10/17 in the previous stint. Horsepower loss after a pre-race oil change?
Lap 52: 2:39.923 (-18.1s)
Lap 53: 2:11.567 (-15.5s) A rusty lap settling back in after not playing all day yesterday.
Lap 54: 2:10.402 (-13.6s)
Lap 55: 2:10.239 (-12.3s) Relap the Calibra for the 2nd time as he pits in front of me on the road.
Lap 56: 2:09.951 (-10.7s)
Lap 57: 2:09.547 (-10.0s) Reaching 240km/h down the front straight towards turn 1, and 233km/h before 130R
Lap 58: 2:11.454 (-6.7s) Almost went off the road at Dunlop. Had a few slight braking errors for the rest of the lap trying to make up the lost time. The pressure is right on now!
Lap 59: 2:10.782 (-4.0s) A flat 8.0 for the NSX. He is charging after the lead!
Lap 60: 2:11.046 (-1.0s) Almost went off the road again at Dunlop. Dear oh dear! The Zexel and Supra pit from 2nd and 3rd resfectfully.
Lap 61: 2:10.971 (+1.7s) Mistake at turn 6 means that the NSX takes the lead!
Lap 62: 2:08.658 (+2.4s) Tried very hard on that lap, but it still wasn't enough.
Lap 63: 2:09.298 (+3.7s)
Lap 64: 2:09.122 (+3.9s) The NSX pits. Right, time to put some fast laps in. The Astra also pits from 2nd place.
Lap 65: 2:10.121 (-27.4s) Not good enough.
Lap 66: 2:10.140 (-30.1s) Consistently mediocre. Should still get the lead back, though.
Lap 67: 2:10.829 (-30.9s)
Lap 68: 2:12.752 (-30.3s)
Lap 69: 2:38.578 (-0.6s) Pit for the 4th time. Rejoin in the lead but the NSX closes in all lap.
Lap 70: 2:11.389 (+1.0) Action packed lap! The NSX goes past me after the start-finish line, but I pass him on the outside of turn 1! He hounds me and then passes me ahead of 130R. I go through 130R very fast, get two wheels on the grass and almost lose it and take the NSX out at the same time. I overshoot slightly into the chicane and he sweeps around to take the lead.
Lap 71: 2:18.945 (+9.2) Is this the defining moment of the race? I retake the lead at Dunlop. The NSX tries to repass me through the 200R sweeper on the outside. I stupidly try to block him but run wide, and spin in the sand. I then massively overshoot 130R in frustration. The Zexel is now only 14s behind me in 3rd.
Laps 72-100: I forgot to save the edit but the NSX's lead goes out to 15 seconds before he pits on lap 80. I retake the lead and pit on lap 86. I come out about 6 seconds behind the NSX and he builds it again to 16seconds before pitting on lap 96. I push very hard and and about 25 seconds ahead at the end of lap 100. I did a 2:07.999 on lap 99, only my second time in the 2:07s. Lapped the Calibra for the 3rd and 4th times.
Lap 101: 2:09.883 (-26.3s)
Lap 102: 2:11.795 (-23.4s)
Lap 103: 2:37.785 (+5.5s) Pit for the 6th time. The Calibra gets on of his laps back. I still have one more pitstop in hand, but only did 16 laps on that stint. Need to do 70 more laps, on 4 stints, half of which must be 18 laps.
Lap 104: 2:08.910 (+6.1s)
Lap 105: 2:08.661 (+6.3s) The Zexel and Supra pit from 3rd and 4th.
Lap 106: 2:15.851 (+13.3s) Go off and spin in the sand on the exit of turn 5. So bloody frustrating! Was developing into a great battle.
Lap 107: 2:08.468 (+10.7s) Make some time back as the NSX gets stuck lapping the Calibra. Boy, did I need that!
Lap 108: 2:09.331 (+11.2s)
Lap 109: 2:08.988 (+11.8s)
Lap 110: 2:08.450 (+11.7s)
After four hours:
Honda Mobil 1 NSX 110 laps (6 stops)
Mazda RE Amemiya Asparadrink RX-7 +11.7s (6 stops)
Nissan Pennzoil Zexel GT-R +52s (7 stops)
Opel Astra Touring Car +1:15s (6 stops)
Toyota au Cerumo Supra +1:41s (7 stops)
Opel Calibra Touring Car +4 laps (7 stops)
Lap 111: 2:08.859 (+12.6s) Car seems to have very good turn-in at this stage. I can't complain about the handling.
Lap 112: 2:09.690 (+13.7s) The NSX pits as I do a fairly mediocre lap. Despite my ill feeling at the loss of power before, the car is certainly quite capable of doing 2:08s if the driver keeps his act together! The Astra also pits from 4th, and rejoins 5th, in danger of being lapped.
Lap 113: 2:09.470 (-18.5s)
Lap 114: 2:08.803 (-21.9s)
Lap 115: 2:08.419 (-26.2s)
Lap 116: 2:08.373 (-29.3s)
Lap 117: 2:08.342 (-29.6s)
Lap 118: 2:09.681 (-28.7s)
Lap 119: 2:11.193 (-25.9s)
Lap 120: 2:37.518 (+3.0s) Pit from the lead and rejoin just behind the NSX. Let the battle begin again! The Zexel and au also pit.
Lap 121: 2:11.545 (+6.0s) A very rusty lap. Have been away for a couple of days.
Lap 122: 2:09.210 (+6.6s)
Lap 123: 2:09.033 (+7.8s)
Lap 124: 2:08.823 (+8.1s)
Lap 125: 2:09.029 (+8.5s)
Lap 126: 2:09.424 (+10.5s) The NSX does a 7.4! Must be the fastest lap of the race so far.
Lap 127: 2:09.546 (+11.7s)
Lap 128: 2:09.054 (+11.0s) The NSX pits for the 8th time. The Astra also pits and thus goes a lap down.
Lap 129: 2:08.244 (-21.4s)
Lap 130: 2:08.977 (-25.4s) Lap the Calibra for the 5th time and lose a little time doing so.
Lap 131: 2:08.765 (-28.9s)
Lap 132: 2:11.439 (-28.3s) A couple of hairy moments at turns 2 and 8 (Degner).
Lap 133: 2:08.962 (-27.7s)
Lap 134: 2:09.456 (-27.0s)
Lap 135: 2:09.941 (-24.9s) Only 16 laps down in this stint and already my tyres feel like they are losing grip fast. I planned to make 18 laps on this stint. The Zexel pits from 3rd position, now only 38 seconds behind me. He has made up a lot of ground. The Supra goes a lap down when he pits from 4th.
Lap 136: 2:11.984 (-21.7s)
Lap 137: 2:13.843 (-16.4s). Pit from the lead. Another 18 and 17 lap stint to go. The NSX retakes the lead and the Astra and Supra get their laps back.
Lap 138: 2:39.657 (+14.9s). A net gain of almost 4 seconds for the NSX on that round of pitstops. This is getting too close for comfort.
Lap 139: 2:10.245 (+15.3s)
Lap 140: 2:08.956 (+15.8s)
Lap 141: 2:08.836 (+16.6s)
Lap 142: 2:08.563 (+17.6s)
Lap 143: 2:09.745 (+19.4s) Almost spin at Spoon! A spin here could spell the end of my chances.
Lap 144: 2:08.325 (+19.3s) The NSX pits. He was really flying in those last few laps. I felt powerless. The Astra also pits and thus goes down a lap again. The Supra repasses him for 4th place.
Lap 145: 2:08.184 (-12.9s) The margin you see is the real gap now. We both have 1 more stop to make.
Lap 146: 2:08.495 (-17.5s) The NSX is stuck behind the Astra. This could be crucial!
Lap 147: 2:08.561 (-21.1s)
Lap 148: 2:08.382 (-24.4s)
Lap 149: 2:08.652 (-25.6s) The NSX is still behind the Astra! This is costing him the race!!!
Lap 150: 2:09.325 (-26.2s) The Zexel and Supra pit. The Supra goes down a lap. In fact, the Supra is coming out right in front of the Astra and NSX so that is lapped car for the NSX to deal with. This really is a disaster for Honda!
Lap 151: 2:09.328 (-26.6s)
Lap 152: 2:09.404 (-26.3s) There is now a line of three cars all nose-to-tail: The Supra, Astra and NSX.
Lap 153: 2:10.845 (-26.8s) Put the Calibra down another lap. He is 6 laps down now.
Lap 154: 2:11.112 (-29.0s) A disaster of a lap for the NSX. He is still stuck behind the Supra and Astra.
Lap 155: 2:13.995 (-25.3s) Pit for the final time. Tank 2/3rds full (hope it's enough!!!) and away we go. The group of three cars zooms past, the NSX still at the rear of the train!
Lap 156: 2:37.926 (+3.0s)
Lap 157: 2:11.036 (+5.0s) Overshoot at turn 9 and put a couple of wheels in the sand.
Lap 158: 2:09.706 (+5.4s)
Lap 159: 2:08.155 (+2.9s) What is happening here? The NSX is still stuck behind the Astra and Supra and I am coming up on all of them!
Lap 160: 2:08.343 (+0.1s) The NSX pits for the final time and what a dejected pit crew they must be!
It would have been a very close finish if it wasn't for the lapped traffic.
Lap 161: 2:09.523 (-30.1s) The Astra pits for the final time and once again goes a lap down, a lap which he won't be getting back this time. The Zexel has actually closed right up on the NSX in the fight for second place, but unfortunately he has to pit again.
Lap 162: 2:09.376 (-30.8s) The Zexel has taken 2nd place!
Lap 163: 2:09.467 (-29.0s) I lap the Supra. The Honda pit crew must be feeling sick looking at how easy I lap cars!
Lap 164: 2:08.407 (-28.6s)
Lap 165: 2:08.519 (-29.3s). The Zexel pits for the final time and hands back 2nd place to the NSX. The Supra also pits for the final time.
Lap 166: 2:08.522 (-39.5s)
Lap 167: 2:09.156 (-38.3s)
Lap 168: 2:09.352 (-40.6s) Oh dear. The NSX stuck behind lapped traffic again!
Lap 169: 2:08.568 (-43.5s)
Lap 170: 2:11.937 (-39.8s) Had a mini lose at turn 6 (Gyaku bank). Not really concentrating full tilt anymore. Gonna try to bring the car home nice and smooth for the final two laps, though.
Lap 171: 2:08.860 (-39.4s) Last lap board is out!
Lap 172: 2:12.358 (-35.0 est.) The chequered flag is out!!! The champagne will be flowing at the Suzuka bars tonight!
Final Standings:
Mazda RE Amemiya Asparadrink RX-7 6:15:55.451 (9 stops)
Honda Mobil 1 NSX (JGTC) +approx. 35s (10 stops)
Nissan Pennzoil Zexel GT-R (JGTC) +approx. 1:05s (11 stops)
Toyota Au Cerumo Supra (JGTC) +1 lap (11 stops)
Opel Astra Touring Car +1 lap (10 stops)
Opel Calibra Touring Car +6 laps (13 stops)
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