2014/04/06
SUPER GT Rd.1 Okayama

Season-opener round of the 2014 SUPER GT Series: A. Caldarelli captures his first SUPER GT victory in the LEXUS RC F debut round! O.Jarvis in 4th gains points from his very first SUPER GT race!

 

表彰台Following the long off-season period, the much-awaited 2014 AUTOBACS SUPER GT season’s first round “OKAYAMA GT 300km RACE” opened at Okayama International Circuit this past weekend, just in time with the fully blooming Sakura (Japanese cherry blossoms) opening up in various regions around Japan.

(Audience figures as officially announced: 9000/Saturday, 18,000/Sunday)

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The new season opened with particularly the technical regulations for the GT500 class standardized and equaled with those of DTM (Deutsche Tourenwagen Meisterschaft – German Touring Car series). In other words, according to the new rules all 15 machines of three constructers present in the GT500 renewed their engines to bring on greater improvement of such as the down-force and the overall performance.

What this indicates is that the SUPER GT will continue to serve as an important stage on which the Big 3 carmakers of Japan can compete over their wisdom and technology. Also as this Series celebrates its 21st year since inaugurating, everybody is expecting to see another special season filled with further progress and success of Japan’s well-loved racing series.

 

CAl JARThe GRM drivers making entries this year in this Series well known also around the world are Andrea Caldarelli (Italy) and Oliver Jarvis (Great Britain). Belonging to the LEXUS family, these two drivers are to participate in all eight SUPER GT rounds of the season aiming to win the 2014 title.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

April 5 (SAT) Official Qualifying

 

37 ドライバーチェンジ練習The qualifying day began with chilly winds blowing and temperatures almost as low as the early weeks of March. But from time to time with the sun also shining, the two hours of official practice began from 9:00am.

 

As in the previous year, Andrea Caldarelli of LEXUS TEAM KeePer TOM’S will fight the new season together with veteran driver Daisuke Ito, on their “reborn” KeePer TOM’S RC F (No. 37). In the morning session, the team clocked the 7th position time (1’21.121).

 

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Also Oliver Jarvis, making his debut round in the SUPER GT from this season, has joined “The” LEXUS TEAM SARD of high prestige and will be dedicated to giving his best behind the wheels of DENSO KOBELCO SARD RC F (No. 39) with Japanese teammate Hiroaki Ishiura. On Saturday morning, the team finished the practice session in 12th position (1’21.369) and advanced to Official Qualifying.

 

 

 

 

371At 14:00, the Official Qualifying session began under Dry condition, though there were chances of rain still remaining. After the first quali (Q1) of GT300 class (24 cars), the Q1 trials (14:15-14:30) of GT500 machines (15 cars) soon followed.

 

LEXUS TEAM KeePer TOM’S appointed Daisuke Ito to drive the Q1, and after the top time of 1’19.862 clocked, the steering was then handed to Andrea in charge of Q2.

In the Q2 where the top 8 cars from Q1 compete over pole position, Andrea clocked 1’19.804, exceeding even his teammate’s time but with the rivals all improving their time too, KeePer TOM’S RC F settled to the 5th grid for Sunday’s race.

 

Andrea Caldarelli

“The machine was dramatically quicker compared to how it was in the morning, and also choosing harder tyres brought us unexpectedly high results. This will give us good confidence towards the race tomorrow.”

 

 

JAR 1Meanwhile, LEXUS TEAM SARD appointed Oliver Jarvis as the Q1 driver. Pushing hard and steadily throughout his very first SUPER GT qualifying attempt, the best time marked was 1’20.530 (9th position time) and though getting close, unfortunately the team could not proceed to Q2.

 

Oliver Jarvis

“I must say I’m a bit disappointed. The team prepared for us a great package, and yet I wasn’t able to hand the car over to Hiro (Hiroaki Ishiura) for the Q2. It’s the lack of experience with the new tyres. Nonetheless, as it’s going to be a long race, let’s move on and see what tomorrow may hold for us!”

 

 

April 6 (SUN)  Race

 

Pit walkFree Practice session in the morning (9:00-9:30) began amid the Wet, and with cooler temperatures of just 8 degrees Celsius, moreover added with occasional hailstones falling.

 

Everybody went on to the practice session with rain tyres making final adjustments into the machines tuned to the Race. Here No. 37 KeePer TOM’S RC F marked a 6th position time (1’131.256) and No. 39 DENSO KOBELCO SARD RC F positioned 10th (1’31.709) with still a long race day ahead of them. Both Andrea Caldarelli and Oliver Jarvis commented positively about their machine conditions, with only good things to say!

 

 

StartFinally it was time to start the very first race of the new SUPER GT season. Under Dry condition, (Air temp. of 10 deg. C, Track temp. of 17 deg. C) and with somewhat strong and chilly winds blowing across Okayama International Circuit, a “hot” race of 300km (81 laps) got underway at 14:00 with both GRM drivers assigned to leadoff as starting drivers.

 

 

Following the one lap of warm-up, and with 2 laps of SC run during the formation lap, the race finally kicked off! Andrea Caldarelli rolling out with a fine start from 5th on the grid was soon to reach P4 in the opening lap. Then in no time, as overtaking another car in the 2nd lap was up to P3! Keeping up the momentum, the brave Italian driver in the third season competing in this Series continued his chase of the two cars going ahead.

 

 

37Around 14:30 however, at about 19 laps into the race, rain started to drizzle but even so Andrea skillfully overtook car 46 (MOLA AUTECH GT-R) on the 20th lap and grabbed P2. The rain itself was only momentary, and from there and onward ever more, some real actions to pass car 6 (ENEOS SUSTINA RC F) was insisted! Actually first it was No. 37 to pit-stop as coming off the 37th lap for tyre change and refueling. Then, with the switch of drivers to Daisuke Ito, the battle with no. 6, or between the two LEXUS, was resumed and outlasted throughout the last half of the race. No. 37 in the KeePer-color gradually closed in with the leader and from the 50th lap and onwards, turned into a true tail-to-nose fight. Then, on the 55th lap, it finally captured no. 6, and took the lead! Andrea maintaining his stride and the quick pace created even larger gaps with the rest of the field, dominating all the way to the moment No. 37 LEXUS TEAM KeePer TOM’S touched down on its very first win at last!

 

 

To ClaudeAndrea Caldarelli

“It was really a perfect weekend. All along from yesterday’s quali to the race, especially with the choice of tyres made, to be those most fitting to the race, – seems that everything worked! In the first part of my stint, tyres were hard to warm so I stayed careful. From there on however, the pace was very good and I even enjoyed the battling with No. 12. Pit work by the crew was swift – also Daisuke did a fantastic job. Though time was limited and testing was never enough, I want to thank LEXUS, TRD, and my crew for preparing an excellent package for us. I also owe this to the KeePer supporters who always give us encouragement and I feel proud to have won the opening round. Now I’m excited about doing more races like this in the season!

To our supporters, please continue to watch closely for all the actions LEXUS TEAM KeePer TOM’S is going to bring!”

 

 

39 JARFrom the 9th grid, midfield of the GT500, Oliver Jarvis made a safe start, not being affected at all by the two other machines that collided just after Start, soon climbed to P7. The British driver quite new to SUPER GT resorted to driving carefully in the early laps of the race, while also trying to adapt to running mixed with the GT300 cars. Oliver chalked up consistent laps and on the 23rd lap, climbed one more position up while another car was away making a tyre change due to rain. Then soon, with a brilliant passing of no. 17 (KEIHIN NSX CONCEPT-GT), the British driver rose to P5! Eventually the team made a routine pit-stop on the 37th lap, and now with Hiroaki Ishiura driving DENSO KOBELCO SARD RC F in P5 for another while, kept renewing all the time he marked by himself. On the 54th lap it finally overtook no. 18 going ahead (Weider Modulo NSX CONCEPT-GT) and then up to 4th position! Pushing on further and strongly, Oliver Jarvis in his SUPER GT debut round, took the chequered flag in 4th place and earned points.

 

JAR 車中Oliver Jarvis

“I’m finding out how SUPER GT racing can be tough but fun. The team did a fabulous job preparing us a great machine, with good pit work done and excellent combination with Hiro helped us to start from the 9th place and finish 4th. In the next round at Fuji, I’ll do my best and win the race! Please continue to provide us your warm cheers and support.”

 

 

 

 

 

 

TOPICS:

Cout Audi CUP_nThis season, Andre Couto has reinforced his collaboration and bond with Audi Sport, and will take part in Audi R8 LMS Cup, GT Asia (3 rounds including Macau GP), and Blanpain Endurance Race, as broadening his activities and challenges over to an ever wider stretch between Asia and Europe.

DirectionAlso in terms of the SUPER GT, Andre Couto will make entry from Round 3 to 7 with Team PACIFIC DIRECTION RACING (GT300 Class/Porsche 911GT3).

 

 

 

 

 

Photos by M.Hirata/T,Moriyama/GTA/Jose Luis Estorninho