Ishiura and Oshima claim maiden SuperGT win24/08/2009
Round 6 of the Super GT Championship headed to one of the longest events of the season at Japan’s Suzuka circuit on Saturday 22nd and Sunday 23rd August. The Lexus Team Kraft pairing of Hiroaki Ishiura and Kazuya Oshima started from pole position and claimed their maiden win of the 500 Super GT class.
A knock out qualifying system was introduced in Suzuka with only the ten quickest teams making the final of three qualifying sessions. Ishiura and Oshima set the pace in free practice, and continued to dominate their way through to pole position. Ronnie Quintarelli and Hironobu Yasuda(Hasemi Motor Sport) claimed second position, with Daisuke Ito and Bjorn Wirdheim(Lexus Team LeMans ENEOS) finished in third.
Rain fell on Sunday at Suzuka though the race was started on a dry track. Ishiura made a good start and managed to create a gap from the rest of the field. On lap 85 the Autobacs Racing Team Aguri Arta NSX caught on fire leading to the safety car taking to the track. Oshima pushed hard for the remainder of the race claiming the pairings first GT 500 win.
Lexus Team Kraft driver, Hiroaki Ishiura, said:
“I managed my tires well during qualifying and at the start of the race. Fortunately, air and truck temperature at Suzuka were lower than expected so I was able to make the gap as I planned, it was perfect. Kazuya also had good pace and I was so happy to win. I want to thank the team and Bridgestone for all their support.”
Lexus Team Kraft driver, Kazuya Oshima, said:
“We were fast from free practice on Saturday. We claimed a strong pole position and I was able to concentrate on the race. We lost over a 10 second gap while the safety car was out on the track but I knew our tires were able to support me to the win.”
Bridgestone tire engineer, Yoshihiro Hosoya, said:
“The duo of young drivers showed off splendid race pace. It was perfect from start to finish. Bridgestone is happy to support our Super GT teams. Congratulations to both Ishiura and Oshima for their maiden win. From the next round, handy weight regulations will change. We meet again for round 7 in Fuji.”
