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Suzuka, Japan: The all-new Xanavi Nismo GT-R (No.23) of Satoshi
Motoyama and Benoit Treluyer won the first race of the 2008 Super GT
series in Japan. Completing an historic race weekend for Nissan, the
Motul Autech GT-R (No.22) of Michael Krumm and Masataka Yanagida
finished in second place.
In front of more than 32,000 spectators, 42 GT
racecars started the formation lap (led by a Nissan GT-R Safety Car)
under perfect race conditions. The two Nismo GT-Rs, starting from
the front row, made a clean start. Unfortunately, the Calsonic GT-R
(No.12) in third place on the grid was hit from behind on the first
lap and was taken out of the race.
Krumm started from the pole position and crossed
the control line at the end of the first lap followed by Treluyer.
The Nissan pair continued to dominate the rest of the race ahead of
the Lexus SC 430 in third place, creating a gap of more than four
seconds by lap 40.
The leading Nissans pitted for tires and a
driver change in the middle of the 52-lap race. Yanagida, who took
over from Krumm, chose harder tires than Motoyama in the other car.
The Xanavi Nismo GT-R with more tire grip on softer rubber passed
the Motul Autech GT-R in the hairpin corner on lap 24 and went on to
win the race.
Meanwhile, the WoodOne Advan Clarion GT-R
(No.24) driven by Joao-Paulo de Oliveira and Seiji Ara completed a
steady race to finish in fifth position. The YelloHat YMS Tomica GT-R
(No.3) of Ronnie Quintarelli and Naoki Yokomizo was in sixth
position toward the end of the race. Unfortunately, it retired on
lap 42 due to mechanical problems.
“ I’m really happy that we won the race in
the GT-R’s very first race,” said a triumphant Motoyama.
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