The XANAVI NISMO Nissan GT-R driven by Satoshi Motoyama / Benoit Treluyer, started the 2nd round of the SUPER GT season from pole position. The race took place this weekend at held at Okayama International Circuit in Okayama prefecture. The XANAVI NISMO Nissan GT-R managed to lead the race from start to finish making it the second victory in the SUPER GT season from two races.
Nissan Press Release:
XANAVI NISMO GT-R(#23 Satoshi Motoyama / Benoit Treluyer), starting from pole position led the race from the start, accomplishing a pole-to-flag victory, to get their second consecutive win after the first round of the 2008 season. Third in qualifying, Calsonic IMPUL GT-R(#12 Tsugio Matsuda / Sebastien Philippe)
finished 2nd, and the NISSAN GT-R took its second consecutive 1-2 finish.
#23 leads from the start, despite an intense attack. Under light clouds and with 29,000 people watching, the 82-lap race began at 14:03. All machines finished the first lap safely, Benoit Treluyer leading in the #23 GT-R, followed by last year's champion car, the #1 HONDA NSX, and then #12 GT-R. Fourth was the #3 GT-R, and 6th the #22 GT-R. The GT-Rs were leading the race. The #1 NSX was right behind the #23 GT-R, waiting for the moment to take over. For a while mid-race,
they were right next to the #23 car, but Treluyer never gave them a chance, and held on to his lead.
Around the 20th lap, light rain started to fall. It wasn't enough to make it a wet race, but there were dangerous points such as the painted rumble strips which took grip away from the cars, and spins and collisions occurred on track as a result. On lap 31, the #3 GT-R spun out after getting hit by a machine from behind. To avoid that incident, the #22 collided with another car, damaging its bodywork and suspension. The #22 had to head back to the pits for repairs, losing it a considerable amount of time.
#12 GT-R wins the battle for 2nd position. The highlight of the second half of the race was the intense battle for 2nd place between the #12 and #1 cars. Matsuda, who started 3rd in the #12 GT-R, was right behind the #1 and waiting for an opportunity. The thrilling battle continued for 15 laps, but the #1 car spun out on the 68th lap, concluding the battle. Matsuda pursued Motoyama's #23 GT-R and caught up, shrinking the difference from 17 seconds to 2.5, but couldn't overtake.
The #23 car crossed the 82nd lap finish line first, followed by the #12, completing a 1-2 finish
for the GT-R. It was the first time in SUPER GT history that two of the same cars won a GT race. Motoyama got his 9th GT race win in total and is now tied for the most wins.
The #24 GT-R, starting from 14th, got points for finishing 8th. The #3 finished 10th. The #22 car finished 15th with a 10-lap gap after coming back on track from the previous delay.
#23 Satoshi Motoyama's comment:
" It's the first time I've had consecutive wins. Benoit did really well in the first half to save the lead, so it was a great race. I'm thankful. I'm excited to have the most wins, but I'm more happy that we won here because I haven't been doing too well in Okayama recently."
#23 Benoit Treluyer's comment:
"Both the tires and the team were perfect. I feel great! I had thought that consecutive wins in GT was impossible so I'm very happy. I knew it would be tough unless I was in the lead by the 6th lap, and that was right. I was very careful so others couldn't pass me. I used traffic to protect my position."
NISMO Team Director Iijima's comment:
"Thank you for your support. Two consecutive wins from the start, pole-to- win, it all may sound easy, but the weight was heavy and it was a rough race on the tires too. The drivers did a wonderful job of controlling the race, and they ran a brilliant race. The #22 unfortunately had an accident, but we can unload the weight now, so the car will do better at Fuji. Thank you all, and I appreciate your continued support."
