The All-Japan Grand Touring Car Championship (JGTC)
has grown to become the largest race series in Japan in terms of participants,
with entries of 40 cars attracting motor sports fans across the country (average
of spectator count of 44,486 per event in 2000). As the event is held as a
semi-endurance race, the strategy utilized for the routine stop to change
driver, tires and refueling plays a very important factor in the outcome; surely
a unique point that catches spectator interest in addition to the dynamic power
of the cars. Overseeing the JGTC Series is the Japan GT Association (GT-A),
which works to ensure that every race offers truly exciting battles every lap,
from start to finish.
Cars Competing in JGTC
Part of the appeal to the JGTC is the variety of car
models participating in the series. Out of the approximately 40 entries, there
are currently 15 different models competing. The lineup of flagship Japanese GT
cars includes the Toyota Supra, Nissan Skyline GT-R and Honda NSX. Also present
are familiar world-renowned models such as the McLaren F1 GTR, Porsche 996GT3R,
Ferrari 360 Modena, Lamborghini Diablo and Chrysler Viper.
The series has two different categories, and a car competes against other cars
in the same category at each event. The categories are GT500 (approximately 500
HP) and GT300 (approximately 300 HP). The sleek stylish bodywork and radiant
decals covering the chassis fail to undermine the peak performance of the
machines.
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Although cars of the JGTC are modified greatly from
the original assembly line model, each must be in full compliance with the
technical regulations drafted for the series. It is these technical regulations
that maintain equilibrium among the competing cars' performance and thus ensure
that the battles are close through every lap of every race. Each car is required
to maintain a minimum weight and that its engine be fitted with an air
restrictor. These measures allow strict control of performance and keep the
field close together. Additionally, for each class, cars that qualify in the top
three positions for each race, cars that finish in the top three positions of
each race, and the car timing the fastest lap during each race are each required
to carry a handicap weight in the next race. Every consideration is carefully
taken to facilitate exciting slipstream battles before the crowd and ensure that
spectators never leave disappointed. As a consequence of these measures, there
is keen competition in the qualifying sessions of every round, with only a 1sec
separating more than 10 cars fighting for the pole in the GT500 class. In the
race as well, from start to checker flag, fans witness cars challenging
side-by-side and nose-to-tail in every lap.
Click the images below to see how
the TAEIVON TRAMPIO FTO got on when it
entered in 1998 and 1999
