The fourth round of the 2011 Japanese Championship Super GT season took place on July 31. The venue was the Miyagi Prefecture, a region left badly damaged by the devastating earthquake earlier this year and the subsequent nuclear reactor failure. Therefore the eyes of Super GT were on the Sportsland Sugo racetrack for an event that was as much a symbol of the fortitude and resilience of the Japanese people who continue to rebuild their country after the traumatic events of March 11, as it was the latest instalment in the Super GT season.
Out on the track the Nissan team of SRoad Mola GTR – ably assisted by the technical support of Motul – also displayed great tenacity in pulling off a wonderful double: pole position and first place. It was a victory made all the more sweeter for driver Masataka Yanagida (and his Italian co-pilot Ronnie Quintarelli), having been crowned the GT300 champion in 2010 with the Hasemi team, who are also supported by Motul. But this was Yanagida’s first win in the GT500 category
But not so for Motul ! After the victories of Nismo Motul Autech in round one and Weider Honda Racing in round three, Motul have notched yet another first, making it three wins out of four so far this season !
Unfortunately Motul‘s other teams didn’t fare quite as well. Motul Nismo Autech fell victim to tyre problems and had to settle for twelfth place while Loic Duval of Team Weider Honda Racing was forced to abandon the race after suffering two collisions.
Standings:
1// S Road Mola GT-R team – Nissan – 82 pts - Motul
2// Keihin Real Racing – Honda – 60 pts
3// Nismo Motul Autech – Nissan – 52 pts - Motul
Image : © GTA
