Super GT
JLOC to keep Lamborghini GT3s in different specs until 2024
JLOC will keep one of its two Lamborghini Huracan GT3s in its current Evo spec for the rest of the SUPER GT season after finishing second last time out at Suzuka.
Jamie Klein
Edited: Sep 14, 2023, 4:49 AM
Copy link
Share on Viber
For last month’s fourth round of the season at Fuji Speedway, JLOC brought one of its two GT300 contenders, the #88 entry, in Evo2 spec for the first time, having made the upgrade during the two-month break that followed the previous race at Suzuka.
However, the team elected to keep the #87 car in its original specification for both that race and the following one at Suzuka amid concerns about Balance of Performance.
That proved to be a deft decision as it was the #87 machine shared by Natsu Sakaguchi and Kosuke Matsuura that was the more competitive of the two JLOC entries, finishing a close second behind the UpGarage Honda of Takashi Kobayashi and Shun Koide.
Yuya Motojima and Takashi Kogure meanwhile brought home the Evo2-spec #88 Lamborghini for a fourth-place finish.
Read Also:
- SUPER GT preview show: Why Quintarelli is pumped up for Sugo
- Nissan fastest as 2024 GT500 cars continue testing at Motegi
- Apr boss criticises lead driver’s outdated ‘Showa era’ driving
JLOC team boss Isao Noritake told Motorsport.com: "The #87 car will stay in Evo1 spec until the end of the season. The reason is, as predicted, the BoP is tough for the Evo2, and we feel the Evo1 is still able to fight.
"Next year, we will work with Lamborghini to field two cars in Evo2 spec."
While the #87 machine was helped to a second-place finish at Suzuka by the favourable timing of a late full-course caution, Matsuura said that differences in the BoP help to explain why the older car was able to outpace its newer sibling.
“We are running with two air restrictors [at 39mm] on the #87 car, but on the #88 car they only have one [at 51mm], so they are a little slower on the straights than us,” Matsuura said.
“I think it will be tough for the Evo2 if they don’t revise the BoP.”
JLOC swapped round its chassis after the huge crash Matsuura suffered at the third round at Suzuka in June, which led to the #87 car being written off.
The old #88 car was rechristened as the #87 from the following race at Fuji onwards, with an entirely new car being delivered in Evo2 spec to replace it.
Matsuura reported that “the feeling is a bit different” with the old #88 machine he and Sakaguchi are piloting now, compared with the car that was used for the first three races before being written off at Suzuka.
“The [old] #87 was a bit of an understeer car, but this one is more of an oversteer car,” said the ex-IndyCar driver.
“It’s hard to compare because the BoP and handicap weight change every race, but after we changed the car, the results have been slightly better, so maybe the [old] #88 was faster.”
Motorsport.tv is showing all qualifying sessions and races for the 2023 SUPER GT season. For more information, click here.
We want your opinion!
What would you like to see on Motorsport.com?
Take our 5 minute survey.
- The Motorsport.com Team
Read and post comments
Read also :
Share Or Save This Story
Copy link
Share on Viber
Previous article Sugo SUPER GT – schedule, how to watch, entry list
Next article Sugo SUPER GT: ARTA Honda's Oyu pips Quintarelli to pole
Top Comments
There are no comments at the moment. Would you like to write one?
View More & Comment
More from
Jamie Klein
Super Formula Fuji: Ayumu Iwasa wins as Kakunoshin Ohta misses chance to seal title
Super Formula
Super Formula
Fuji II
1 mo
Super Formula Fuji: Ayumu Iwasa wins as Kakunoshin Ohta misses chance to seal title
Super Formula Fuji: Igor Fraga wins while Kakunoshin Ohta closes on title
Super Formula
Super Formula
Fuji II
1 mo
Super Formula Fuji: Igor Fraga wins while Kakunoshin Ohta closes on title
More from
Kosuke Matsuura
GT300-rules cars suspected of sandbagging in Okayama test
Super GT
Super GT Mar 16, 2022
GT300-rules cars suspected of sandbagging in Okayama test
Suzuka 1000km: Honda wins dramatic race, Button finishes 12th
Super GT
Super GT
Suzuka
Aug 27, 2017
Suzuka 1000km: Honda wins dramatic race, Button finishes 12th
TOM'S Lexus cruises to Super GT opener win
Super GT
Super GT Apr 5, 2015
TOM'S Lexus cruises to Super GT opener win
More from
JLOC
JLOC win heightens expectations for Lamborghini Huracan Evo2
Super GT
Super GT
Motegi
Nov 7, 2023
JLOC win heightens expectations for Lamborghini Huracan Evo2
JLOC shakes down Huracan Evo2 ahead of car's SUPER GT debut
Super GT
Super GT
Fuji II
Jul 27, 2023
JLOC shakes down Huracan Evo2 ahead of car's SUPER GT debut
JLOC Lamborghini team set for mid-season Evo2 upgrade
Super GT
Super GT Mar 14, 2023
JLOC Lamborghini team set for mid-season Evo2 upgrade
Latest news
“I was getting beat up” – How Daniel Ricciardo burned out on ‘humiliating’ F1 return
Formula 1
F1 Formula 1 3 h
“I was getting beat up” – How Daniel Ricciardo burned out on ‘humiliating’ F1 return
Myers Riley Motorsports adds Andretti alongside returning Fraga for 2027 IMSA GTD campaign
IMSA
IMSA IMSA 3 h
Myers Riley Motorsports adds Andretti alongside returning Fraga for 2027 IMSA GTD campaign
Las Vegas GP reveals neon sign-inspired trophy design
Formula 1
F1 Formula 1
Las Vegas GP
4 h
Las Vegas GP reveals neon sign-inspired trophy design
Subscribe and access Motorsport.com with your ad-blocker.
From Formula 1 to MotoGP we report straight from the paddock because we love our sport, just like you. In order to keep delivering our expert journalism, our website uses advertising. Still, we want to give you the opportunity to enjoy an ad-free and tracker-free website and to continue using your adblocker.
You have 2 options:
- Become a subscriber.
- Disable your adblocker.
Subscribe now Already subscribed? Sign in here
Already disabled your adblocker?
Reload page
Manage Alerts
Subscribe