MUGEN

2013.9.6

"MUGEN CR-Z GT" - Despite carrying the heaviest weight handicap 5th position gained and remains at the top of the series point ranking!

Series name: 2013 AUTOBACS SUPER GT SERIES ROUND 5
Event name: 42nd International Pokka Sapporo 1000km
Course: 5.807km × 173 laps (1004.611km)
Qualifying: 2013-08-17 Sat / Fine / Attendance 26,500 (Announcement from the organizer)
Race: 2013-08-18 Sun / Fine / Attendance 30,000 (Announcement from the organizer)

#16 MUGEN CR-Z GT (Hideki Muto / Yuki Nakayama) took part in 2013 AUTOBACS SUPER GT SERIES ROUND 5 which was held at Suzuka circuit in Mie pref. from Aug 17th to 18th.

#16 MUGEN CR-Z GT got 2nd award in a row and took the lead in the series point ranking. For this race the weight penalty was 98kg. The maximum weight handicap is 100kg in one season.

Additionally the GT Association changed the participation rule to restrain the performance of JAF-GT 300 by down-sizing the engine air restrictor. Also, originally the 2013 JAF regulations notes that vehicles installed with 160kpa tires need to have a minimum ride-height of more than 45mm from the road, but from August 2nd, following a bulletin from the GT Associate, the minimum height was raised from 45mm to 53mm. As a result of this rule change, #16 MUGEN CR-Z was forced to raise the ride-height of the machine.

Testing for Suzuka 1000km was held on July 19th and 20th and although the Team had been able to take into account the impending weight penalty in advance, the overall setting and selection of the tires were not able to be considered so there was no choice other than to make the settings from the scratch.

In consideration of the summer temperatures an air conditioner for the cockpit was newly adopted. The use of this air conditioner is widespread among the GT500 class cars; however in the case of MUGEN CR-Z GT the compressor was modified to work with help of the electric system and the battery. The condenser releasing heat was mounted on the top of the radiator and air coming through the grille cools down the engine and the air goes out of the bonnet. With the motor powered by electric there is no engine power loss. With this system in place there is no need for the driver to wear a cool suit.

Also various aerodynamic parts were added to seek further down force.

█   Race: 5th place (160 laps 5:55:42.501 / Best time:2:05.983)

The race started off smoothly but the pace of Muto did not increase and so he started to slowly lose his position. The reason for this slow pace was ascribed to the heavy weight handicap and down-sizing of the reflector. The lap times themselves were fast, however acceleration out of the slow corners was hampered permitting the car behind to pass by. Also selection of the race tires was based on the test before the rule changes and so the team had to investigate how the tires were performing during the actual race itself.

On lap 32 Muto made his pit stop and Nakayama took over the car. On the 35th lap, #16 MUGEN CR-Z GT was in 14th position, and with a mass of the machines spread out around the circuit the #16 could keep its pace.

Nakayama slowly but steadily progressed through the field from 12th position in 37th lap, to 11th in 38th, 10th in 46th , 9th in 48th, 8th in 49th, and up to 7th by the 50th lap. A safety car appeared due to an accident on the 61st lap. As all the cars were aligned and restarted Nakayama made his pit stop after finishing 64 laps, and Muto took over.

With a perfectly timed pit stop Muto was able to join the race in 3rd position but he was forced to drive in amongst a crowd of cars, which meant he could not drive his normal pace and as a result he had to face a difficult race.

By lap 99 when Muto made his pit stop and handed over to Nakayama they were in 6th position. Nakayama then set the fastest lap for #16 MUGEN CR-Z GT, at 2:05.983 and in doing so raised his position to 2nd. He made the 4th pit stop after finishing 132 laps and then Muto took over the machine.

When Muto went back to the course, another machine behind passed him and in the end Muto finished his race in the 6th position. After the race one of the competitors that had finished ahead on the track was disqualified for a breach of regulations and so Muto was recorded in 5th in the official results.

With the result from this race TEAM MUGEN earned 11 team ranking points (5th position, including bonus points provided to the teams driving more than 700km). With a points total of 72 the team remains at the head of the series ranking, 15 points ahead of the team in second place. Also Muto / Nakayama gained 8 driver points (5th position, including bonus points provided with the teams driving more than 700km) and their total is now 57 which leaves them with a 13 point margin in the lead of the series ranking.

█ Comments from the director Kumakura

Some troubles were assumedly caused by the raising of the suspension and the 98kg success ballast and these were observed during the official test run but we could not confirm the final condition. But on the other hand, thanks to our two drivers finishing their race without incident and by gaining points we could remain in the lead of the series.

In the free practice before the race I believed we could tune the machine based on the experience accumulated through previous races in response to the raising of the suspension. However the difficulties we faced in this race were due to the settings forced on our team and we were not able to make our very best top speed. Therefore, although our lap time was good, we could not control our machine as we wanted. We have no idea about the strategy of other teams, but the machines belonging to FIA had enlarged fuel tanks so then they could shorten the time for refueling at the pit. Once other machines got in front we were not able to overtake them due to the limitations of our settings mentioned above. Then inevitably our goal was to race without any troubles nor accidents. That worked for us, I am assured.

The race was quite tough for us; however we came together and did what we promised to do. Our weight penalty handicap for the next race will be increased further to 100kg, but we believe that as long as we can maximize the performance of our machine, we will be able to deal with it. We thank you our fans very much for your encouragement under such severely hot weather for a long period of time.

♦ Photo Gallery (Round5)