Kooi Racing Club Malaysia

2008-05-20T00:48:00.000-07:00

Catching the Super GT Race from the Sky at Sepang Circuit

2008-04-23T03:42:00.000-07:00

13 April 2008, By SuperGT.net

The Okayama GT 300km Race, Round 2 of the 2008 AUTOBACS SUPER GT, was held at the Okayama International Circuit (one lap 3.703 km x 82 laps) in Okayama Pref. on April 13 and Satoshi Motoyama and Benoit Treluyer drove the XANAVI NISMO GT-R to a second consecutive victory, following their win in the season opener.

The race started at 14:00. The pole position starter, Benoit Treluyer drove his XANAVI NISMO GT-R into the lead and held that position. At one point, last yearfs season champion, the ARTA NSX, gave chase and even edged ahead for a moment. But Treluyer regained and held the lead through the first half of the race and turned over the machine to his teammate Satoshi Motoyama that way. Motoyama held the lead unchallenged throughout the second half of the race aided in part by the ARTA NSX's brush with another machine it was lapping and went on to take the victory.

For the XANAVI NISMO GT-R team this was their second consecutive win of the season, following their victory in the opening round at Suzuka. Such back-to-back wins are very difficult in the SUPER GT due to the regulation that handicaps winners with weights in the next race. As a result, consecutive GT victories have only been won three times since the competition began in 1994. And the last time that a team won consecutive victories in the first two rounds of the season was ten years ago in 1998 (Skyline GT-R).

The GT300 class win went to the ARTA Garaiya driven by Morio Nitta and Shinichi Takagi.(Spectators: 29,000)

Winner Comments
No.23 XANAVI NISMO GT-R [GT500]
Benoit Treluyer: "I thought it was virtually impossible to win consecutive races in the SUPER GT, so I guess we will go down in history. So I feel fantastic! It was a difficult race, though, and I think the decisive factor in our win was the choice of tires. I worked hard to try to gain a margin over the first six laps. The ARTA NSX was fast too, and drew even with me at one point, but I was able to keep the lead."

Satoshi Motoyama: "Before coming to Okayama, I was thinking that we would do well just to finish in the points around 5th or 7th place. But, in the free practice sessions on Friday, even though the handicap weights [from the Round 1 win] were heavy, we found good the setting and the team had the car in very good condition. So, it was just up to me and Benoit to do our best and drive hard. I want to thank the team. Since Benoit had gotten a lead for me, I could run easily in my part of the race. The next race is at Fuji Speedway, which is a course where handicap weights take a toll. So, it is difficult to expect things to go this well again, but we will be trying to at least finish in the points."

ARTA Garaiya [GT500]
Morio Nitta: "To be honest, I am really relieved. I never expected us to be able to get a win like this so early in the season. It is great. I was watching No. 46, which was running on the same Michelin tires as us, and when I saw that they were not running at a fast pace, I was worried about our tires. I was pushing hard but I still got passed by the No. 26 Porsche. I had started with a full tank, so we were able to save time on the refueling during our pit stop. We have to give our mechanics credit. Then Shinichi [Takagi] was able to run well in those tough conditions and keep that margin we had gained."

Shinichi Takagi: "ARTA's manager, Aguri Suzuki was here [back from Europe] for this race, so I was nervous (laughs). It was a big help that we were able to get back on the course quickly after the fast pit work. Since I had a lot of the laps to run on my leg, I thought about saving the tires and held back as I drove. I had a car spin out right in front of me and that caused me to run off the track, but fortunately I was able to avoid hitting the other car."

Tokyo Auto Salon 2008

2008-01-25T00:03:00.001-08:00

As you might expect, the Nissan (Skyline) GT-R, Mitsubishi Evolution X and Subaru Impreza STI were all very prominent at this year’s Tokyo Auto Salon. These three new platforms are obviously breathing new life into the aftermarket, based on the number of new products that were on display for each of them. The GT-Rs drew big crowds, but most had few modifications beyond the predictable wheel and tire upgrades and lowered suspensions. HKS was one of the few companies with some legit power adders bolted to their GT-R, including a suction kit, titanium exhaust, intercooler piping and blow-off valves.Of the many Evo Xs on display, the JUN version was a real standout, with its aggressive Time Attack-style aero. The Ralliart Evo X was also a seriously seductive piece of eye candy. Of the STIs at the show, the Blitz machine especially impressed us with its front-mount intercooler – though the Tein STI was also thoroughly improved, inside and out. It was extremely cool to see the new STI WRC racing machine on display in Subaru’s booth, as well as Peter Solberg’s ’07 WRC STI in NGK’s booth.Speaking of racing machines, Nissan had the new GT-R GT500 Super GT beast on display in their booth, along with a gorgeous Nismo RS edition 350Z. From the Honda camp the most exciting new offering is undoubtedly the Civic Type R, along with Mugen’s stunning RR version of the car. Mugen also showed off their Fit concept – a work of art worthy of its slowly rotating display. » click here to see more pictures
TOKYO AUTO SALON 2008 （2008現場直擊)

2007 Winners SHOW CAR BABES

2007-10-11T03:26:00.001-07:00

HOT PRODUCTS

2007-10-11T02:57:00.000-07:00

Entec Competition Products
KAMEARI ENGINE WORKSBased in Tokyo, Japan, KAMEARI specializes inmanufacturing a line of high quality, provenproducts for select classic Datsun andToyota vehicles. With many years ofexperience in classic Japanese car tuning,KAMEARI is the trusted choice of classicracers, tuners, and restorers in Japan.Entec Competition Products, Inc. isthe official U.S. distributor for KAMEARIproducts for the 4 cylinder L-Series enginescommonly found in the Datsun 510, andDatsun Fairlady Roadsters. Other KAMEARIDatsun/Nissan product applications includethe A-Series engines (A12, A14, A15),S20, FJ20 and Toyota chassis’ (TE27, TE71,TA22, AE86).

2007-10-11T02:55:00.000-07:00

AME
Shallen FXAME Wheels (produced by Enkei Japan) hasrecently debuted their 2-Piece Shallen FXwheel. All AME Wheels are produced withinthe tightest OEM standards which Enkeiroutinely employs. The newest addition tothe Shallen line features the classic 5-spokelayout with AME’s own touch of design. Colorvariations are available in Ash Metal, SBC(Super Brilliant Coating) or Matte Black. TheShallen FX is available in 19- and 20-inchdiameters with widths up to 10-inches.

2007-10-11T02:53:00.000-07:00

LSD-Doors
2006+ Honda Civic SiLSD-Doors offers the world’s only crashtested lambo style door system for the 2006+Honda Civic Si. The bolt-on ready kitoffers a Side Impact Safety Lock, M.A.R.A.(Multiple - Axis - Rotational - Assembly)and Magic Stick Technology. A patented SideImpact Safety Lock is integrated into eachLSD-Door system. The M.A.R.A. C-shaped pivotarm connection provides a range ofadjustment for proper gap clearance forsmooth operation. Each LSD-Door kit isvehicle specific and offers factory like fit.

2007-10-11T02:51:00.000-07:00

ARC
Titanium Intercooler PipingARC’s custom titanium upper intercoolerpiping for EVO 8/9 connects the throttlebody to the lower intercooler pipe. Thistitanium pipe kit is substantially lighterthan the regular aluminum and even steelpipes that competitors use. ARC’slightweight intake piping weighs less than 2lbs – a fraction of mild steel. The pipingalso feature ARC’s signature burnt look andtrick gusseted ARC cooling plate.