BACK IN KYOTO!!!!
GT-MES has visited plenty of circuits in Japan, but Kyoto was first Japanese circuit we visited in Season 1. Recently Fuji, Suzuka and Autopolis have been picked over Kyoto to host GT-MES, but we finally head back this season.
Circuit is known for its highspeed corners that you can take send your car in, just staying on the circuit, but there is also couple slow corners that will require some adjustments in setup and are perfect overtaking opportunities.
Round 1 in Nurburgring was one to remember for both classes, as there were massive battles almost every lap. Ballast and added experience should mix up the playing field.
Gr3
Ford had perfect return to GT-MES. First pole position was followed by first win and first 1-2 for Ford, now in championship lead in Gr3- and Manufacturers-standings.
Dstinct_CJohn took pole position in closing seconds of qualifying and but it did not take long for him to drop down to 3rd after the start. Next 30 minutes were Cat and Mouse-game as drivers split their strategies. Dstinct_CJohn was in the lead again one point, but was in 2nd place as we headed for final laps. Epic 5 car battle broke out, but he positioned his car right and made no errors, starting race with win.
His teammate
TSR_Tomsoft was only 5th in qualifying, but he was driving smart race. With battle for win and podiums spots kicked off, he was there and with tires that were able to move him up to 2nd place, and got him point for fastest lap.
Like many, TSR_Tomsoft has not driven in Kyoto very much, so expectations are not high:
''Haven't driven in Kyoto since roughly 2 years now nearly, so I don't expect a lot apart from a Podium wish. After Round 1 the car feels very nice so far and better than expected, so Kyoto might suit it''.
Dstinct_CJohn has lot of success ballast after his win, so even if Ford might suit Kyoto, podium could be struggle:
''I'm very happy I got the chance to win the season opener, but I don't feel as confident about the Kyoto race because of the ballast. As a car I think the Ford should be very strong here though. I expect one of the Mercs to win on Saturday''.
Mercedes has positive start to their season, even if they were looking for better.
TSR_JoeToGuy was looking for 4th straight win in Nurburgring and heading for another pole, until getting just beaten. That did not matter much though, as he made move for lead quickly and lead Mercedes 1-2 as they headed for first pitstops. Mercedes opted to stay bit longer on mediums, decision that cost them time and they could not gain that back as they ran on fastest tire, SuperSofts as others were on Softs. Luckily battle was back on in final stint, allowing them to join battle for win. But small mistake for TSR_JoeToGuy dropped him back from the group, leaving
TSR_Swablu fighting alone for podium spots. And eventually he was able to secure 3rd place, as his teammate crossed line 4th.
''Round 1 went well for me, just a shame we got the strategy a bit wrong and lost some time there. Looking forward to Round 2, hopefully another podium would be nice'' said TSR_Swablu, that has now bit of ballast on him after his podium.
TSR_JoeToGuy in otherhand has no ballast, after missing out on Round 1 win for first time, and not even finishing on podium:
''I think Kyoto will be a fight between me and Fred, given that 3 of the other fast guys now have ballast''. He admits that there might be some rust, after not driving in Kyoto for long while.
Nissan expectedly was not fighting for podium-places in Nurburgring, but there were positives, especially for
Wesley_VR_99. Season 11 Gr3-champion was not much off in the qualifying, and during the race he was able run very close laptimes to leaders. He even lead the race for long while, extending his stint on mediums, but admits that ended up costing him time:
''I was happy with my pace in the first race, just the strategy didn't work out as I had planned. So I am looking forward to Round 2 at Kyoto because I love driving there and I think I have the pace to fight for the win''. Nissan indeed has been rumoured to be best suited for highspeed Kyoto-circuit, and good results early in the season could be confidence boost.
RA-A_MrT17 finished 7th in his debut, lack of experience in the car showing. He will miss Round 2, and there is speculation about high profile replacement...
Subaru ended up starting season with shocking result.
Freddude had solid start to his debut, running 4th place and moving up to second place after first round of pitstops. He then was leading the race as we were in final stint, then everything went wrong. First small contact sent him running wide, but was given lead quickly back. As result there was 4 hungry cars behind him, and as cars were set to start final lap, atleast podium looked set for his debut. But Freddude had misjudged his fuel on final pitstop, meaning he had to go for splash, leaving him finishing only 6th.
Last seasons Gr3-champion
de-luck4 expected tough start to the season in new car, and he ended up finishing last, 8th place.
Going in to Kyoto he has little ballast help, but he is not confident with the car yet:
''Race at Nurburgring just shows how little trust i have on WRX. Still need a lot practice to do, to find a way how to setup car to start feel comfortable and reduce number of mistakes to the minimum. Sadly but this week was very bussy and had only few laps on track. So, my expectations are very low. Will be happy with clean race, no matter the pace''.
Freddude showed his famous speed in Nurburgring, and after disapointmend, he is ready to bounce back. Some of his toughest competitors will also have ballast on them, so expect to see him atleast on podium in Japan.
Gr4
Porsche had great start to the season. Qualifying was bit conserning, as
sota59 was fastest Porsche, but only 5th. But during first stint, he made his way up the grid to 2nd place, as cars ahead started to battle. After first pitstop, he overcut himself to the lead. Running on mediums, he was able to keep cars with faster tires behind him for long while, and as he went for final stop for fastest tires, he was in great position. But instead of finding himself in lead, he was overcut and was now behind cars with slower tires. After epic battle he was able to get to lead, and run away, winning in Nurburgring for first time since Season 4:
''"I had to make some bold moved to work myself up the field, but i was surprised to find myself in the lead after first pitstop. I then knew win was there to take. Last 6 laps were crazy, but i am glad i could take advantage and win".
His teammate
GTO250GTO was predicting difficult race pre-race, and it was. He had to start last due technical issues, and lost time in first half of the race trying to move up the field. Eventually he was only 6th, but took fastest lap of the race, so pace is there for him. Kyoto he is looking for more improvement, starting higher up the grid will be key.
sota59 will be running heaviest car in the grid, but is positive:
''Testing been solid, top 4 is the objective, podium would be huge for my championship''.
Honda did not get the win, but was good start to the season.
thunderpigeon was 2nd in qualifying and fighting for win all race. But as field was fighting for positions all race, he ended up losing too much time and win slipped away. But 2nd place to start the season is great, even though winless streak is still going.
His teammate
doc-shipman was running 6th place for while, but pace was not good and he ended race in last place. Nurburgring is not his favorite circuit, so expectations are high for Kyoto:
''I'm looking forward to Round 2. Kyoto is a track I very much enjoy and in testing I've had much greater consistency than I have had in previous races. Nurburgring was an expected result for me, never being very strong in Germany. Japan - the home of Honda! With no thunderpigeon around to make up the numbers it rests on my shoulders! The fuel consumption at Nurb was an interesting one, though, with the NSX performing very well relative to the other guys. Add in the fairly good tyre wear I've seen in testing and I think the NSX could be a good car for Kyoto - Just got to hope the driver is up to it as well''.
As he said, thunderpigeon will not be racing in Kyoto, so all weight of Honda is on doc-shipman.
Toyota started their Manufacturers-title defence well.
Nils took expected poleposition, but while he kept the lead for while, he was unable to break out from the field. Instead he was left defending hard and this created big fight for win between 5-cars that lastest all race. After first pitstop he dropped down the order, but after second pitstop Toyota was able to overcut others and rejoined with 1-2 lead,
amuda54 who had been able to save fuel jumped ahead, leaving Nils to defend. Others were on softer tires, and Nils was not able to hold them for long. But middle of the overtaking, Nils was able to get past his teammate and secure 3rd place, amuda54 finishing behind him in 4th place, after one of his best performances ever.
Nils has least ballast of top runners in Gr4 as we go to Kyoto, circuit he has won before, expect him to be very strong:
''Kyoto has always been one of my favorite tracks, so I'm hoping for a good result despite the ballast! It's going to be a real challenge though, especially after those amazing battles we saw during Round 1''.
amuda54 might miss Kyoto-race, but if he is able to race, he could be one to watch for podium.
Lexus had positive start to the season, even if they did not get great result. Car has potential,
G4 Rotary was 3rd in qualifying and during the race he was fighting for lead long while. He faded away in 3rd stint with harder tire and tracklimits issues. 5th place does not tell full picture.
RBZ_Orama was in othercar, but technical issues did not allow him to start the race.
Lexus-partipation in Round 2 is in doubt as their only full time driver
Emilius73 will again miss the race:
''After seeing that I have a number of personal events these coming weeks, I won't be able to race until Interlagos. Now, my main focus is supporting Amuda and Nils so they are best prepared for each race and obtain the best possible results''.
G4_Rotary will also miss the race, so let see who will we see in the car in Japan...
