| Monday, 19-Jun-2006 11:36 |
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A Pre-VIEW @ JGTC
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I won't be @ JGTC this year ... and don't ask me why. And these shots were taken, during one of HITZ's fm's road promo - and coincidentally, I was was passing by ... and coincidentally, I had my camera ... and also coincidentally, I have my tripod which really helped my a lot as these shots were taken at night, in front of A&W Restaurant in PJ. Anyway ... here it is .. with some accompanying information for those of you who knows nuts about JGTC .. like me. 
The Super GT series, formerly known as the All-Japan Grand Touring Car Championship or JGTC, is a grand touring car race series authorized by the Japan Automobile Federation and recognized by the FIA.
The Cars
The cars are divided into two groups: GT500 and GT300 (cars with no more than 500 and 300 horsepower [374 and 224 kW], respectively). These power outputs are capped via the use of intake restrictors although some heavier cars are given allowances to run larger restrictors to maintain parity. In order to ensure maximum excitement, both GT500 and GT300 groups are run at the same time although points are awarded separately for each group.
GT500
The top class in Super GT, GT500, is dominated by the Big 3 Japanese automakers: Toyota (Supra / Lexus SC430 (new for 2006)), Honda (NSX) and Nissan (Fairlady Z) with some privateer teams running Ferrari, Lamborghini, or other European marques..
Regulations in GT500 are considerably looser than most GT classifications, and teams are free to change engines with other models made by the manufacturer, change the alignment of the engine, or add forced-induction to models which do not normally have it. The chassis may also be heavily modified, with lightweight tube-frame 'clips' being allowed forward and back of the main cockpit, although the car must overall look similar to its road-going variant. These regulations result in cars which are possibly the fastest GT racing cars in the world. In recent years however, rule changes in both GT500 and FIA GT1 (aimed at eventually allowing both classes to compete with each other in the future) have brought the cars closer to each other, although GT500 cars still have a notable advantage - an FIA GT1 spec Maserati MC12 entered (and later withdrawn) by Team Goh was losing at least 1 second in the corners during testing at the Suzuka Circuit. Some traditional sports-car fans spurn these cars as being outside the limits of 'acceptable' modifications.
Electronic aids such as ABS, Traction Control and Stability control are not allowed even if fitted to the road going variant and Carbon brakes are prohibited. There are also restrictions regarding placement and size of aerodynamic aids such as wings and spoilers. The choice of tyres is also varied with Bridgestone, Yokohama, Dunlop, Kumho, Michelin and Hankook (new for 2006) available to teams.
GT300
Few works teams participate in GT300, so the field tends to be much more varied in terms of types of cars entered; although here, as in many European and North American events, Porsche tends to dominate with its 996GT3 model making up the bulk of the field. Smaller Japanese car makers such as Mazda and Subaru also participate in this class, as well as more exotic kit-builder cars from the likes of Vemac and ASL. Since 2006, European-style GT cars have chosen to concentrate in this series, with Lamborghini leading the move from the higher division with some success, namely winning the class in the opening round of the 2006 season at Suzuka.
GT300 cars are much more regulated than their GT500 counterparts, and much more closely resemble road-going versions. Chassis clips are not allowed, nor are engine substitutions or realignments, which results in a much more affordable racing experience for privateers. While engine outputs and modifications are at a lower level than the GT500 cars, the GT300 cars still post competitive times and races are very competitive.
2006 Series Schedule
Round 1: March 17-19 - Suzuka Circuit
Round 2: April 7-9 - Okayama International Circuit
Round 3: May 2-4 - Fuji Speedway
Round 4: June 23-25 - Sepang Circuit (Malaysia)
Round 5: July 21-23 - Sportsland SUGO
Round 6: August 18-20 - Suzuka Circuit
Round 7: September 8-10 - Twin Ring Motegi
Round 8: October 13-15 - Autopolis
Round 9: November 3-5 - Fuji Speedway
More information available here
For ticketing information, go here  http://www.malaysiangp.com.my/motorsports/jgtc/tickets.html
For seat information, go here  http://www.malaysiangp.com.my/images/sic_map.gif
For Race Team information, go here  http://www.supergt.net/en/
For Sepang Race Track information, go here  http://www.malaysiangp.com.my/tracks/main.htm
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