Civic Type R-GT Drivers Overcome Adversity at Autopolis

The Autopolis race weekend was anything but smooth sailing for the Civic Type R-GT drivers, as they faced a series of challenges brought on by the unpredictable weather conditions. Despite the obstacles, the team managed to put forth a commendable performance, showcasing the true potential of their vehicles.

Overcoming the Odds: Civic Type R-GT Drivers Defy the Elements

Qualifying Chaos and Resilience

The qualifying sessions at Autopolis were a true test of the drivers' mettle, as they navigated the wet and treacherous track conditions. The morning practice sessions were delayed due to the abysmal weather, and ultimately, all of the on-track sessions scheduled for Saturday were cancelled. This meant that the official qualifying sessions for both the GT300 and GT500 classes were pushed to Sunday morning, with a mere 30-minute window for each class to set their grid positions.Despite the compressed timeline and the lingering effects of the rain, the Civic Type R-GT drivers rose to the occasion. The #17 Astemo Civic Type R-GT, piloted by Koudai Tsukakoshi and Kakunoshin Ohta, secured the highest position among the Civic contingent, starting from the 4th grid. The #16 ARTA MUGEN Civic Type R-GT, #100 STANLEY Civic Type R-GT, #8 ARTA MUGEN Civic Type R-GT, and #64 Modulo Civic Type R-GT followed suit, occupying the 6th, 7th, 11th, and 15th positions, respectively.

Race Day Challenges and Resilience

As the race day dawned, the skies were still cloudy, and the ambient and road surface temperatures had dropped significantly. However, the rain had stopped, and the track was gradually drying out. At the start of the 3-hour race, the Civic Type R-GT drivers wasted no time in showcasing their prowess.The #17 Civic Type R-GT, driven by Tsukakoshi, quickly closed the gap to the #14 ENEOS PRIME GR Supra and overtook it on Lap 6, securing the 3rd position. Meanwhile, the #100 Civic Type R-GT, piloted by Naoki Yamamoto and Tadasuke Makino, started from the 7th grid and steadily climbed up the ranks, reaching 5th position when the Safety Car was deployed.Sadly, the #17 Civic Type R-GT was forced to retire shortly after the pit stop, while the #100 Civic Type R-GT was pushed into the barrier while attempting to overtake the #14 car, sustaining significant damage.

Yamamoto's Valiant Effort and the Fuel Restrictor Challenge

With the #17 and #100 Civic Type R-GTs out of the running, the responsibility of leading the charge fell on the shoulders of the #100 car, now driven solely by Yamamoto. Despite the added success weight and the handicap of the smallest fuel restrictor, Yamamoto displayed remarkable determination and skill, chasing down the #23 MOTUL AUTECH Z.The pursuit of the #23 car, which was not burdened by the fuel restrictor, proved to be an uphill battle for the #100 Civic Type R-GT. The added weight and the resulting tire wear made it increasingly difficult for Yamamoto to maintain the pace. As the #3 Niterra MOTUL Z with a lighter success weight closed in, Yamamoto had to surrender the 3rd position on Lap 86, ultimately finishing 4th.Despite the challenges, the #100 Civic Type R-GT's performance was a testament to the car's capabilities, as it managed to outperform rivals with less or similar weight handicaps. This result has further bolstered the team's confidence in their car's potential, as they look to the remaining two rounds of the season with renewed determination.

Earning Points and Chasing the Championship

The #16 ARTA MUGEN Civic Type R-GT, driven by Hiroki Otsu and Ren Sato, also managed to finish the race in 6th position, earning valuable championship points. With the #100 Civic Type R-GT accumulating a total of 51 points after the 7th round, the team is now set to catch the championship-leading #36 au TOM'S GR Supra, which has 53 points.As the series heads to the Mobility Resort Motegi for the penultimate round, the Civic Type R-GT drivers and their teams are eager to capitalize on the reduced success weight, which will be halved. This presents a prime opportunity for them to close the gap and potentially take the lead in the championship standings.The Autopolis race may have been a challenging one, but the Civic Type R-GT drivers and their teams have proven their resilience and determination. With the championship title within reach, the final two rounds of the season promise to be an exciting and nail-biting conclusion to the series.