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Post by Momoko Murasama on Jul 27, 2022 0:10:02 GMT -5
New Proposals for Race Format Changes in the J-Speed GT Masters for 2022? By: J.R. O'ConnellySince the series' inception in 1995, the J-Speed GT Masters' traditional main event format has a 300km "grand prix" for the majority of its races on the calendar. Even with the escalating costs from the GT Racing Exodus of the late 90s, this was one element of the championship that remained a static fixture. "Back in the day, it was a test of endurance for the race-tuned production super cars", ex-team principal Haruna Tsukishima remarked. "It is clear however, that GT racing must evolve with the passing of time; we live in an age of reliability, and thus our idea of endurance racing's spirit must change too." Despite openly advertising itself as a league for pure spectacle, the J-Speed Association has always been deliberate and cautious in maintaining a balance between entertainment and technological relevance. This balance is one of several factors as to why the premier Asia-Pacific racing series has reserved format changes for special events, such as the Starlight 1000km finale. In the latest J-Speed Association Teams Alliance meeting however, two new and potentially serious proposals were discussed. The first of these is an increase of 50km for all current 300km rounds, except for Hokkaido, which could be increased to 400km. Yasline Marina, the founder of NISMO Frontier Autosport, stated that "The goal of lengthening the standard race length is to place greater emphasis on efficiency. Currently, the series' relatively short standard races do not reflect our cars' true on-track capabilities accurately. Longer races promote an emphasis on tire conservation, consistency, and stint quality, and we firmly believe this can be accomplished without compromising the wild racing that our beloved league is famous for." The latter of these proposals takes a different path, and is considered much more radical; backed primarily by Ai Tsukishima (of Tsuchigami no Kyojin) and Kyoko Kokobun (of Moriyama Speed Shrine), it suggests that fuel capacity be reduced by staggering 20 to 30 percent. Current GTE PROs competing in the GT Masters are restricted to a fuel capacity of 63 liters, about 25% smaller than the 85 liters considered the class standard in all other GTE PRO championships. The proposed fuel tank capacity for a 350km race would be cut down to a mere 42 liters, half of the class standards' maximum capacity. "The two proposals are not mutually exclusive, but we believe a reduction in fuel capacity will allow for a greater diversity in race strategies regardless of any changes to race length." Should either of these proposals go through, it could be the biggest change to a GT Masters' race weekend since re-establishing the two class format in 2003. A follow-up official meeting between the Teams Alliance and the J-Speed Association regarding the changes is scheduled for July 29th, before the penultimate round of the current season.
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robkta
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Post by robkta on Aug 4, 2022 10:17:45 GMT -5
Bobster: Garnier's Third Driver gossip quelled as Endurance Driver announced for the British Blues coverage by Nathan Navarini
(top) Lisa Garnier guest during OBC NEWS SPORTS Nightline last Wednesday (bottom) From left to right, Bobster Racing Systems' engineer intern Marie McLaren, PR Representative Alice Harvie, first driver Rebecca Speed, Chief Strategist Lisa Garnier and the new third driver Palmira Sanmarino.
Shizuoka, Japan - Passed the Ogami thunderstorm, got Reckless Bex back behind the wheel and after a more than ideal 5th place at Autopolis which solidified their position in the Top 10 in the standings, the British Blues, Bobster Racing Systems, have been on the hunt for a new third driver to aid the team in the now impeding Endurance round, planned for September in Suzuka; as soon as the news broke, a Seddit post claiming that Lisa Garnier, former Rebecca Speed's Best Frenemy, could cover such position spread like wildfire and fueled hopes of an old style BRS Dream Team among the fans, just to have Lisa Garnier herself, on live television, to debunk the theory entirely, not without getting a chuckle out of it. "I'll be honest with you" she said on OBC NEWS SPORTS "nobody more than me would love to have one more stint like in the Formula days with Becca. Once we dug the war axe after Donington 1993, we have became best friends til today. However, while she has the fire, the determination to carry on behind the wheel, I am aware that is not the same for me; I went back to Stock Cars after 1995, won a lot, then discovered the passion for modeling and music. I think that honestly I feel pretty comfortable behind the scenes" and she added "We found the missing piece of the puzzle, a driver that has the right style and approach to complement both Alister and Rebecca and will aid the team in Suzuka. Is a young Italian prodigy, Palmira Sanmarino: I noticed her during a supporting event here at Fuji and I have to say I was hit by her driving style and attitude."
Palmira Sanmarino was born in Florence, Italy in 1997 and has been dabbling with various sports including MMA, Kick Boxing and Basketball before starting a motorsport career at the age of 16, mostly in regional Italian minor series. According to Garnier, Sanmarino has "determination, strength, consistency and a good dose of wittiness which is always a welcomed quality at Bobster Racing". Sanmarino has been welcomed officially in the team today and will start a series of test with the BRS GT-86 today, at the Fuji Raceway circuit.
BLU SPORTS NEWS © ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
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robkta
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Post by robkta on Oct 10, 2022 9:55:32 GMT -5
BREAKING - DOS SANTOS CONFIRMED ALIVE AND WELL The Paulista is currently under observation at the Mie Prefectural Medical Center. "I was terrified, but I am glad I am alright". coverage by Roberto Bazzoni
pictured above: a screenshot from the RHU broadcast showing the Bobster Racing's GT86 mid-flip in air
Suzuka, Japan - Certainly not the season finale that Bobster Racing had in mind for the Suzuka 1000 km round, especially after seeing the blue Toyota GT-86, with Alister Dos Santos behind the wheel, pulling to the side before hitting the wall and ultimately being sent into a spin in mid-air. The Brazilian driver, though, despite the scare, seems to be alright, getting out of the car with relatively minor injuries. "I can't really say I wanted to become an air force pilot" he joked from the Mie Prefectural General Medical Center during an interview for the Brazilian TV "but I am absolutely glad to be alright. Not gonna lie, I really had massive scare". Dos Santos is being currently kept under strict observation by the doctors as a precaution, but he should be released within a week or two.
As for the cause of the crash, Bobster Speed stated: "An independent enquiry has been carried out and has been concluded that a simultaneous catastrophic failure of both steering and suspensions took place. Apparently the parts weren't able to withstand the massive solicitations of the race". Minutes after the statement, the chief mechanic, Daniele Gilbert, stated he is considering resigning from his position as he claimed: "I didn't do my duty properly and this failure is only my fault". This crash definitely pulled the curtain over Bobster's 2021 J-Speed effort, after a season made up of very few highs and significant lows, however the team doesn't seem to be discouraged by the conclusion; Rebecca Speed stated: "This is exactly not how we wanted to finish, we really gave our best. But nobody of us could really predict this eventuality. When we saw the car flying... oof... that really made us bloody pale. We thought for the worst, but I was so relieved to see Alister was okay, even though a bit shook. I hope he's able to get back racing soon enough. We will do our best to prepare for next season and do better"
And the British Blues really need to do better and seek major support, especially after the whole controversy involving Rebecca's speeding antics in London or the alleged sabotage efforts involving Luka Ogami and Neucom, now departing main sponsor. But for one door that closes, a gate may open up: it appears that Alberto Bista, CEO of the Monegasque Investments firm of the same name, is in talks with the supremo Bobster for a "long-term Support and sponsorship agreement" which would also involve, among other things, the switch to a much more competitive Honda NSX, even though all this is just mere paddock talk and nothing concrete is on the table yet.
For now the sure thing is, the Bobster Blues for now need to stop, and think how to do better next year.
pictured above: how the Italian "Giornale dello Sport" portrayed the accident of Dos Santos on front page on Sunday
BLU SPORTS NEWS © ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
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maikoheart
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WRA Administration
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Post by maikoheart on Mar 3, 2024 21:38:34 GMT -5
Weekly Grand Touring - Episode 89 (January 2022)
The following is an abbreviated excerpt from an English podcast show between radio broadcaster and commentator Roger Evans and former World Grand Prix driver Gary Longwell-Harrison II.
Roger Evans: "Hello, welcome everybody to this week’s show, where we go through the wide world of motorsport whilst we talk about the key stories and rumors circling around the paddock. As per usual we have a lot to cover this time ‘round, so let’s not dilly dally; now, quite a few series are already on the cusp of their first test sessions and beginning rounds and quite a few lips are already start to flap around, giving us some quite... interesting talking points for this week."
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Roger Evans: "Seems like the main story in the Aeternam GT EuroSeries is that La Source BRT are quite frustrated with Archetype Racing Club, namely Hisui Motegi and her stranglehold on the championship. While it is somewhat boring perhaps that she’s been the top dog for quite some time, I don’t think there’s any issue with her domination per say? I know that Arnold Breyne when he was speaking with the press just this week that he thought that there should be a hard rule on how many times a single driver can become a champion before being barred from the series since he believes it’s solely a more developmental and gentleman driver oriented organization? What do you think about that, Gary?"
Gary Longwell-Harrison II: "I think it’s absolute rubbish. I-I mean... (laughs) ...this has been the same team that has had massive, massive organizational issues since about a few years ago. I don’t want to shake around any beehives but perhaps if there aren’t any budding talents that can beat such a dominant driver, perhaps there hasn’t been such a great strength of field throughout the past few seasons?"
Roger Evans: "Well, perhaps there is a bit of truth to his statement... Archetype are quite a well funded team relative to the rest of the grid, but that doesn’t completely rule out the fact that there have been quite a few talented up and coming drivers that have been muffled from her recent dominance."
Gary Longwell-Harrison: "Maybe, b-but it’s a bit of pot calling the kettle black with his team's history as well with their absolute hold on Belgium a number of years back. Really though, you honestly don’t really hear anyone having quite as many qualms against Archetype, so I’m thinking a lot of the worries are coming from the fans and not the rest of the paddock like some believe. A lot of the time these people are just happy to be racing alongside some great professionals like Hisui and Blanche."
Roger Evans: "Well now you have Elenie Anatolia coming in as well, she’s touted as a good contender alongside Ania Kisbaba-Murakumo... that’s a great pairing for Highbridge."
Gary Longwell-Harrison: "Indeed, which is why Arnold’s comments are absolute rubbish, sorry to say. Sure, maybe it might be a slight issue if we see Hisui win five in a row, but I attribute that more to just Hisui being a fantastic driver. Would it be nice to see her do something in say, in higher category or even in a top tier prototype series? Yes, but it’s clear she’s satisfied where she’s at, and you honestly can’t take that away from her in that case."
Roger Evans: "Hopefully the Breyne brothers can figure out some in-between this season because it’s... been quite ugly, you can say, for them recently, hasn’t it?"
Gary Longwell-Harrison: "Oh, yes, it’s a shame to be quite honest. Too much finger pointing and blaming the manufacturer and not enough self-reflection. We’ve seen teams get out of this hole though, I mean look at Neptunia Corse and where they’re at now. It isn’t impossible, but something has to happen sooner than later or else we might see another shop close its doors before it’s too late."
Roger Evans: "Ahhh, much like the Suzuki Hoshinova camp in Moto-1 last season, though going out with a bang aren’t they in comparison? Shame that, I was wondering if we’d get to see Andrea Mayr really come into their own soon, but I wish the best of luck to Breyne. These comments won’t do much to help themselves, to be frank."
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