If you are looking for a Nissan GTR killer from Japan, this could be the answer. Honda has announced that this model the HSV-010 GT which powered by 3.4l V8 engine will compete in the Super GT under GT500 category.

The first race will be at Suzuka Circuit this coming March.

Check out Subaru’s new Legacy Super GT program in HD. The Subaru Legacy GT300, based on the B4 version of the model will compete in the GT300 category of Japanese Super GT series. The Legacy has a DTM-like aero kit with wider fenders, an extremely low profile, air vents and a monstrous wing.

Subaru has released the following video on their race car, however no details on the car spec was released.

Click here to view the embedded video.

Japan’s biggest racing series – Super GT is coming to Malaysia and Sepang is all geared up and ready to organize the Malaysian round of Super GT International Series Malaysia 2009 from June 19 to 21.

A unique event combining mean machines and gorgeous GT queens; bringing a truly Japanese carnival-like atmosphere and motor racing fiesta to the circuit; Malaysia will host Round 4 of the 2009 championship, which will also feature some of the best regional races as the supporting events.

To be held from June 19 to 21, Sepang hosts the only international round of the hugely popular championship, which provides a sexy combination of stylish sports cars and gorgeous Japanese grid girls. The series came to
Malaysia in 2000; but SIC was made an official race as one of the championship rounds in 2002.

Established in 1994 by the Japanese Automobile Federation, the Super GT series is a grand touring car race series promoted by the GT-Association (GT-A) and recognized by the FIA. Races are held as part of a yearly series and take place on well known Japanese race tracks like Twin Ring Motegi, Fuji Speedway, and Suzuka Circuit.

SuperGT is one of the favourite race for our spectator, which mainly are Malaysian. SIC will try to find ways to make it more affordable and fun,” said Chief Executive Officer Razlan Razali.

Being it the only race outside of Japan, we are proud to organize this prestigious race.

“It is a great way to promote the country especially countries within Asia region. And with a strong global following of the series, Malaysia will again stand out in the world map on this race weekend”.

“Besides the colourful Japanese cars on the grid, the GT Queens has always been the attraction to the race to add more colour and fun” he added.

The cars are divided into two groups: GT500 and GT300 (cars with no more than 500 and 300 horsepower) in which are raced at the same time although points are awarded separately for each group.

Perhaps the best-known handicap system in use in the Super GT is the ‘success ballast’ system, called “weight handicap” where weight penalties are assigned depending on a cars performance during the race weekend.

The system adds ballast on the cars based on qualifying position and individual lap times, and even in specific modifications.

Tickets of the Main Grandstand can be purchase at only RM100. SIC is also offering a special family package at RM250 for four Main Grandstand ticket. Children below seven years old are free admission.

In promoting the event and getting the nation into the SuperGT mood, Razlan said a total of 20 Japan supercars would be organizing special tours around the Klang Valley and would visit various popular hotspots. Log on to SIC website for latest updates on dates, times and venue for the convoy.

SIC would also be organizing mobile roadshows which among others would include interactive games with the public and offering lots of prizes.

“This has never been done before by SIC in the past. We hope to give people who have yet to experience the race a feel of what to expect,” said Razlan.

“We will be hitting all the hotspots around Klang Valley and everyone is welcome to enjoy all the fun and games we are offering or even just take pictures with the fleet of supercars which will be at every venue.

The campaign starts today with Taman Tun Dr. Ismail, Damansara and the OUG the targeted areas. In wooing the fans to the race, SIC will be offering a 50% discount for tickets and the promotion available at all SIC hotspots.

Passes for Sunday’s Pit Walkabout only RM100 while parking charges for bikes at RM2, cars at RM5 and bus at RM20.

For details and prices, log on to www.sepangcircuit.com or contact the Media Manager Irwan A. Rahman +6017 372 5777.

Round 1 : March 16 at Suzuka Circuit
Round 2 : April 13 at Okayama International Circuit
Round 3 : May 4 at Fuji Speedway
Round 4 : June 22 at Sepang International Circuit
Round 5 : July 27 at Sportsland SUGO
Round 6 : August 24 at Suzuka Circuit
Round 7 : September 14 at Twin Ring Motegi
Round 8 : October 19 at Autopolis
Round 9 : November 9 at Fuji Speedway

This Nissan GT-R GT500 video clip was shot at Suzuka Circuit Japan. This new Nissan machine are expected to compete in the next year Super GT series. With this rumors we hope that the race next year will be more challenging with more new model especially from the GTR family. The last GTR

Click here to view the embedded video.

More photos after the jump..

My 2 cents – FarinaRacer

JOAO Paolo Lima de Oliveira and Seiji Ara gave the Kondo Racing team a historic first GT500 class Super GT win in a surprising and incident-packed Round Four at the Sepang Circuit yesterday.

It was Brazilian de Oliveira’s first victory since he joined the Super GT bandwagon last year and 2004 24 hours of Le Mans winner Ara’s second ever win, his first, ironically, also achieved in 2004.

The duo also drove the Woodone Advan Z to the first victory for tyre-supplier Yokohama since 2005 resulting in an all-around emotional end for everyone in their team.

The Woodone Advan Z started 14th on the grid but gradually moved up and once they took the lead midway through, built up an 11-second lead over the trailing pack led by the Raybrig NSX of Dominik Schwager and Shinya Hosokawa.

The pole position Takata Dome NSX of Takashi Kogure and Ryo Michigami, favoured for the win after proving to be the fastest in practice and qualifying, stalled on the formation lap and was never revived.

It was a different story in the GT300 class where the pole position apr MR-S of Kazuya Oshima and Hiroaki Ishiura led from the start, relinquished the lead momentarily and regained it when the ARTA Garaiya of Morio Nitta and Shinichi Takagi spun off dramatically, crashing into a steel barrier to end their race.

But it wasn’t all easy going for the apr MR-S crew as the heat and unpredictable conditions caused havoc before they could finally savour their second win of the season.

Results — GT500: 1 Woodone Advan Z (J.P. Lima de Oliveira-Seiji Ara) 1:49:13.410s, 2 Raybrig NSX (Dominik Schwager-Shinya Hosokawa) 1:49:24.461s, 3 Calsonic Impul Z (Benoit Treluyer-Kazuki Hoshino) 1:49:31.643s; 4 ZENT Cerumo SC430 (Yuji Tachikawa-Toranosuke Takagi) 1:49:40591s, 5 Eclipse Advan SC430 (Takeshi Tsuchiya-Manabu Orido) 1:49:41.104s.

GT300: 1 apr MR-S (Kazuya Oshima-Hiroaki Ishiura) 1:49:53.783s, 2 Ebbro 350R (Tetsuya Tanaka-Shinsuke Yamazaki) 1:50:09.570s, 3 Houzan Dunlop Z (Kota Sasaki-Naoki Yokomizo) 1:50:11.620s, 4 Houzan Dunlop Z (Shigekazu Wakisaka-Shogo Mitsuyama) 1:50:12.620s, 5 Cusco Subaru Impreza (Tetsuya Yamano-Takayuki Aoki) 1:50:23.470s.

The JGTC is run by the GT Association, which was founded in 1994 as a successor to the failed Japan Sport Prototype Car Championship (JSPC). The collapse of JSPC motivated various companies and organizations in the automotive and racing industries to establish a series that was more fan-friendly and gave a better return to sponsors.

In researching the failure of the JSPC, the GT Association found an over-reliance on technology that led to an explosion of costs, eventually killing the series. Too much emphasis was placed on obscure cars the public could not identify with, and the entertainment value in the end was minimal. JGTC set out to find an optimal balance between technology, human drama and entertainment. The basis for the series became production cars we could all relate to. Limits were set on power output to prevent costs from spiraling out of control.

The series started modestly with a field of 18 cars that included veteran drivers such as Masahiro Hasemi and Kunimitsu Takahashi (currently the chairman of the GT Association). Race attendance was equally modest. However, within a period of 7 years, the JGTC reached the pinnacle of motor racing in Japan, boasting an impressive field of 48 teams and attracting over 45,000 fans on race day.

Classifications

* JGTC consists of two classes, GT500 (max. 500hp) and GT300 (max. 300hp). Horsepower is controlled through air restrictors.
* Cars eligible for GT500: JAF-GT(class 1), Le Mans* cars and cars specially authorized by the JAF**.
* Cars eligible for GT300: JAF-GT(class 2), Le Mans cars and cars specially authorized by the JAF.

* Le Mans cars : Cars classified as GT2 before 1998 or GTS and Le Mans GT after 1999. However, those cars need to meet JAF-GT regulations of 2001.
** Cars specially authorized by the JAF: FIA-GT homologated cars, Grand American GT cars, and DTM cars from the year 2000.

Drivers

Each car is obligated to have 2 drivers. Both drivers need to drive in qualifying and the race to receive championship points. A driver change during the race is mandatory and one driver may not drive more than 2/3 of the total race distance. Drivers needs to hold a valid sporting license of International grade C or above.

Qualifying

Official qualifying is divided into two 60-minute sessions. Each session is divided into three 20-minute segments, one for GT500, one for GT300 and one joint segment. Each driver/car must qualifying within 107% of the average set by the three fastest cars in each class.

Race Distance

The race distance is no less than 250km and no more than 1,000 km. At least one pit stop for a driver change, fuel and tires is mandatory.

Starting Procedure

The starting procedure begins with an 8-minute warm-up, 45 minutes prior to the start of the race. This is followed by a formation lap and the rolling start. When the pace car leaves the track, and the green light turns on, the race is started. No passing is allowed until the start-finish line is crossed.

Fuel

Commercial, unleaded, high-octane gasoline (within 102 RONs) is used.

Pit Stops

During the race only 5 people can work on a car inside the pit at the same time. Two people to change tires, two to refuel the car and 1 for other tasks. There is no limit to the number of crew members that do not touch the car directly. The car jack may not be used while the car is being refueled, meaning tire changes must occur after the fuel has gone into the car.

Handicap Weights

JGTC uses a system of handicap weights to ensure a level playing field. Weights are added after a race for the following:

* Finishing first, second or third
* Qualifying first, second or third
* Setting the fastest race lap

The maximum total handicap weight is 120kg for GT500 and 80kg for GT300. If a car running a handicap weight finishes sixth, 10kg is removed from the total in GT500 and 5kg in GT300. Handicapped cars that finish seventh or lower will loose 20kg in GT500 and 15kg in GT300. Handicaps for qualifying and fastest lap cannot be removed. The following is a table showing weight handicaps:

source : jgtcusa.net

The round 4 of Super GT will be held at Sepang International  Circuit (SIC), Malaysia from 22 – 24 June 2007.  SIC offers 5% discount if you buy ticket before 31/5/07.  Get it now ONLINE.

Click here to view the embedded video.

What do you think with this promotional video clips ? I love it, if you offer me free ticket for Japan GT and F1, I will definitely go for GT Japan.

The Suzuka GT 300km race, Round 1 of the 2007 AUTOBACS SUPER GT, was held at the Suzuka Circuit on March 18. The GT500 class was won in a come-from-behind victory by the 5th-place qualifier, the No. 38 ZENT CERUMO SC430 driven by Yuji Tachikawa and Toranosuke Takagi. With this, Yuji Tachikawa extended his own record of most wins by an individual driver to nine.

For the SC430 teams this opening round victory at Suzuka became their second consecutive win following the Tom’s win in the last round of the 2006 season.

In the GT300 class, victory went to the No. 13 ENDLESS ADVAN SENZAIKAKUMEI Z driven by Masami Kageyama and Tomonobu Fujii in a pole-to-checkered win. The GT300 class race started out with an unexpected spin by the third qualifier, No. 43 ARTA Garaiya (Morio Nitta) during the formation lap. After then being forced to start from the very back row, Nitta brought the machine into the pit for adjustment work on lap six.