SGT Rd.3; as every year, Fuji Speedway is overflowing with spectators, being the Japanese famous long holiday known as the “Golden Week”. As a little treat and because the XANAVI NISMO GT-R has won the first two rounds, for this race, the car is 195kg heavier that originally. Besides the 115kg handicap weight and due to performing-tuning specification changes, since this Rd3, the GT-R weight has increased from 1150kg to 1180kg. That is to say that, the GT-R that originally weighed 1100kg is now 195 heavier. According to the regulations, the SUPER GT cars cannot weigh more than 1200kg so the extra weight is adjusted by restrictor diminution. In simple words, imagine Benoit trying to go somewhere with ten little “Jules”(name of precious son) on his shoulders. Certainly not the lightest way to race! Anyway, the XANAVI NOSMO GT-R knew exactly what to expect from this weekend. During Friday’s morning free session they are by far the slowest! In the afternoon and due to the rain, the lap times came closer to the top timer, the car’s balance is pretty good but since they carry a small restrictor, all is lost at the straights. This time all they can do is overtake other GT300 like for example, the Porsches. The team, just for fun, has brought the goal down to “Lets beat the top GT300 car!”(Kidding!) However, Saturday looks promising! The track is still wet but the weather conditions are changing for the better. Depending on tire choice, they may hit the top ten. Satoshi goes out first and brings home the standard required time on wet tires. He soon returns to the pits, changes to slick tires and goes out again for the time attack…unfortunately, during tire warm up the raindrops begin to fall once again. Satoshi struggles to keep the car on the track and is unable to exceed the 1’ 43.463. The original plan was that Benoit would then come out and do one of his extreme laps but due to track conditions, the plan had to be canceled. They aren’t able to make it for the SL, however they are still the third fastest out of all the other GT-R’s. Well, had it been dry, they would have had zero chances! But the forecast for the race is dry weather, which means: “Not a chance!” No matter how hard they push, overtaking will not be possible. The team opts for a one pit stop strategy, remember, since May 1st the temporary tariff has returned and the gasoline price has risen by 30 Yen per liter. So, the motto is “No wasting gas!”(Kidding!). Therefore and since the morning warm up, Benoit is making good mileage. And once the race begins, they are steady on the 1’40 ~41 per lap, just so they can keep the car running for at least half the race, before refueling.
And, let me tell you, it is not easy to keep a steady lap time throughout this race with the GT300’s and all. Too bad the TV crew didn’t bother filming this detail (hahah!). As planned Benoit pits in after 54 laps when he felt the car was really about to run out of gas. Satoshi grabs the wheel and follows the initial strategy. They now pray for a chance but that is only if some of the top cars happen to retire. However and most unusually, the 500km race continues smoothly for everyone until the end. It seems they will keep their 14th position to the end, no points gained at this race. Benoit decides to quickly pack up and is to leave the track as soon as the checkered flag is waved. He greets the team staff and rushes off. Believe it or not, Benoit was home before 8pm, certainly faster then any other driver! At least this time! Whatever that means!
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