Super GT
SUPER GT explains reasoning behind holding 450km races
SUPER GT supremo Masaaki Bandoh says environmental concerns were the chief factor in the championship's decision to hold three 450km races this season.
Jamie Klein Kenichiro Ebii
Edited: Mar 12, 2022, 8:29 AM
Copy link
Share on Viber
Since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, Japan's top sportscar series has stuck mostly to its regular race distance of 300km, with the exception of last year's traditional Golden Week 500km race at Fuji Speedway in May.
However, in 2022, this event has been cut to 450km, while two other races, the August Fuji round and the second Suzuka race that follows later that month, will also be run over 450km for the first time.
Read Also:
This is despite the August Fuji race initially being listed on a provisional calendar as returning to its pre-pandemic distance of 500 miles (805km), and talk of holding a longer timed race at either Fuji or Suzuka.
But Bandoh, boss of SUPER GT promoter GTA, says the 450km option was finally chosen in order to encourage better fuel efficiency and tyre longevity, which he sees as a "test" for future seasons.
"Basically, I want to promote a kind of motorsport that takes into consideration the environment and carbon neutrality," Bandoh explained in an interview with Motorsport.com's Japanese edition.
"I want to see the tyre makers prioritise making tyres that can last a long time over increasing [peak] grip, and I want to see the manufacturers prioritise fuel efficiency over horsepower. We will test this season to solidify these foundations."
Bandoh added that another goal for SUPER GT to strive for is to reduce the number of tyres being brought to the circuit.
"We need to consider not only reducing the number of tyres produced, but also reusing and recycling tyres," he said. "We need to reduce the number of tyres that are brought to the track even if the race distances are longer. Therefore, we decided to try and test that this year."
Last year, Bandoh revealed that SUPER GT would aim to introduce carbon-neutral fuels as early as the 2023 season following on-track testing this year.
Read Also:
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 New Toyota SUPER GT aero an improvement, say drivers
Next article TOM'S Toyota fastest on opening day of Okayama test
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
Latest news
Kimi Antonelli meets Italian president Sergio Mattarella
Formula 1
F1 Formula 1 4 min
Kimi Antonelli meets Italian president Sergio Mattarella
How Qatar red flag helped Johann Zarco put Barcelona crash behind him
MotoGP
MGP MotoGP
Qatar GP
41 min
How Qatar red flag helped Johann Zarco put Barcelona crash behind him
McLaren to upgrade MCL40 car at its bogey F1 track Las Vegas
Formula 1
F1 Formula 1
Las Vegas GP
1 h
McLaren to upgrade MCL40 car at its bogey F1 track Las Vegas
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