Autoblog

REPORT: Honda finds loophole, new NSX to run in SuperGT

Damon Lavrinc — Fri, 11 Dec 2009 18:56:00 EST

Filed under: Motorsports, Coupe, Performance, Japan, Acura, Honda, Specialty

Honda NSX Prototype - Click above for high-res image gallery

We knew it was coming and now we've got details. According to the latest reports out of Japan, the Honda NSX will live on, but mere mortals will never get a shot behind the wheel.

As previously reported, Honda has been actively petitioning the Japanese Automobile Federation (JAF) -- the organizing entity behind Japan's Super GT series -- to run a new front-engine racer in the touring car championship. A cursory reading of the rule book states that vehicles campaigning in SuperGT must be production vehicles (think GT-R, MR2, SC430). However, Honda's found a loop-hole.

Just as Toyota has done in recent years with the Supra (it's out of production), the Super GT rules specify that a vehicle's specs and design must be submitted to JAF to be approved. That means that a vehicle can be "production ready," if not actually in production. So for the 2010 SuperGT season, Honda will bring out an all-new race car based on the NSX prototype (seen above), reportedly packing a 3.4-liter V8.

So... Lawyers: 1. NSX's lovers: 0. But at least we get to see it race...

Gallery: Spy Shots: Acura NSX

[Source: Insideline]

REPORT: Honda finds loophole, new NSX to run in SuperGT originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 11 Dec 2009 18:56:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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DTM cars to run in Japan's SuperGT series?

Jonathon Ramsey — Tue, 08 Dec 2009 18:01:00 EST

Filed under: Motorsports, Europe, Japan

Germany's DTM series is presently contested by just two automakers, Mercedes-Benz and Audi. In an effort to increase manufacturer participation, global reach, and television audiences, Autosport reports that DTM's overseers to be talking to Japan's Super GT series organizers about a tie-up. The GT500 class includes Honda, Lexus, Nissan, and a single Aston Martin DBR9.

The talks are centered around letting the cars race together, not DTM and Super GT actually coming together. The hurdles would be rationalizing the specifications: GT500 racers employ a different construction, as the series doesn't mandate spec electronics, tire, gearbox, differential, fuel, and brake suppliers as in DTM. However, Super GT does have its own way of creating parity and close racing, using restrictor plates and pit stop regulations.

If the two can find a way to come together, it might encourage BMW to join the series and bring its American Le Man M3 to the party. The Munich marque has resisted DTM, saying it isn't interested in a series so heavily focused on Germany. Don't get any hopes up, though - the Super GT management said they don't see the link-up as "a matter for the very near future."

[Source: Autosport | Image: Alex Grimm/Bongarts/Getty]

DTM cars to run in Japan's SuperGT series? originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 08 Dec 2009 18:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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New SuperGT contender from Honda in the works?

Damon Lavrinc — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 14:01:00 EST

Filed under: Motorsports, Coupe, Performance, Japan, Acura, Honda, Rumormill

Honda NSX Mule - Click above for high-res image gallery

When we sat down with a few Honda execs at SEMA, we were told to "watch out for something big" from the automaker's motorsports efforts in Japan early next year. It didn't take much to deduce what they were hinting at: Honda plans to fill the vacuum left by the recently departed NSX-R in SuperGT with an all-new vehicle for the 2010 season.

As you'd expect, the Japanese media has hopped all over the recent rumors, with BestCar putting out a rendering of the fabled GT500 class contender. Unfortunately, beyond a possible V10 powerplant, details on the vehicle are scarce and the demise of the production version leaves more questions than answers. According to 7Tune, Honda is campaigning SuperGT organizers to give the automaker a pass on its homologation requirements, allowing the front-engined coupe to enter the series without a road-going version available to the public. Considering SuperGT's stringent requirements, we're not sure how that's going to play out, and since we haven't seen development mules testing since June of last year, we're all the more skeptical about Honda's triumphant return to the GT500 ranks. We're hoping to know more before the end of the year, so stay tuned.

Gallery: Spy Shots: Acura NSX

[Source: BestCar via 7Tune]

New SuperGT contender from Honda in the works? originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 16 Nov 2009 14:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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VIDEO: With F1 program scrapped, where will Toyota Motorsports land next?

Noah Joseph — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 16:00:00 EST

Filed under: Motorsports, Toyota, Earnings/Financials

Toyota GT-One - Click above for high-res image gallery

As Toyota president Akio Toyoda announced the withdrawal of his company from the Formula One World Championship, he reiterated Toyota's commitment to motorsport competition. But while this may have been pure lip-service, the Japanese automaker has a long history in racing, leading to speculation over where Toyota could land next. According to Toyoda:

Motor sports remain an important means of personalizing the automobile in the eyes of customers. Motor sports also remain an important means of cultivating human resources and our R&D operations. ... We will rethink our motor-sports activities with an eye to maximizing those benefits while addressing economic realities.

Even in the absence of a renewed F1 program, Toyota continues to compete in series as diverse as Formula Nippon, NHRA, Grand Am, Super GT and NASCAR. While the beancounters in Tokyo could continue to rely solely on these and other existing programs - or worse, start pulling out of more - sources point to potential racing programs at Le Mans, in the new FIA GT1 World Championship or possibly in the shifting World Rally Championship. Any of these categories would give Toyota a more direct tie-in to its road-going products, but which - if any - the Japanese motor giant will ultimately choose remains to be seen. In the meantime, enjoy the short clip after the jump highlighting the company's history and continued involvement in motor racing worldwide.

[Source: PistonHeads]

Continue reading VIDEO: With F1 program scrapped, where will Toyota Motorsports land next?

VIDEO: With F1 program scrapped, where will Toyota Motorsports land next? originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 06 Nov 2009 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Honda Racing finally puts NSX out to pasture as SuperGT tweaks regs

Noah Joseph — Mon, 26 Oct 2009 09:29:00 EST

Filed under: Motorsports, Japan, Honda, Specialty

The Honda/Acura NSX has had a good run. The mid-engine supercar developed with input from the legendary Ayrton Senna first hit the market in 1990 and didn't cease production until 2005, giving it one of the longest production runs in the business. But even after Honda stopped selling the NSX, it was still being campaigned in Japan's SuperGT racing series. No more, says Honda, as the 2010 regulations switch exclusively to the use of front-engine, rear-drive chassis, forcing the NSX into retirement after nearly two decades of duty.

Based on the roadgoing supercar, the SuperGT-spec NSX-GT featured a heavily modified chassis that swapped the stock transverse V6 for a 500-horsepower competition-spec engine tuned by Mugen and mounted longitudinally. The car's been driven to three drivers' titles and three teams' championships in the Japanese touring car series.

No word yet on what, if anything, will succeed the NSX - or the Toyota MR-S for that matter - but Japanese automakers dropping out of motorsports like so many flies, we won't be holding our breath.

[Source: Honda via Jon Sibal]

Honda Racing finally puts NSX out to pasture as SuperGT tweaks regs originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 26 Oct 2009 09:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Tokyo 2009: Subaru Legacy B4 GT300 is pure JDM awesomeness

Drew Phillips — Thu, 22 Oct 2009 11:40:00 EST

Filed under: Motorsports, Performance, Japan, Tokyo Motor Show, Subaru

Subaru Legacy B4 GT300 - Click above for high-res image gallery

Our jaws literally dropped when we spotted this car in the Subaru booth here at the Tokyo Motor Show. The concoction of carbon fiber spoilers, wings and widened fenders seen here is the Legacy B4 GT300 racecar that is set to compete in Japan's Super GT series next year. The car actually made its racing debut at Fuji Speedway last month, and even though previous driveline problems prevented this racer from making an even earlier debut, the B4 GT300 managed 300 trouble-free kilometers to finish a respectable 18th place.

As for specs, the Legacy B4 GT300 features a 2.0-liter turbocharged boxer-four that pumps out more than 300 horsepower. With all-wheel drive, a six-speed sequential transmission, and a curb weight of just over 2800 pounds, we imagine it's an absolute blast to pilot around the track. You can see the car in detail in our high-res gallery below.

Gallery: Tokyo 2009: Subaru Legacy B4 GT300

Tokyo 2009: Subaru Legacy B4 GT300 is pure JDM awesomeness originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 22 Oct 2009 11:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Racing Legacy: Subaru STI preparing Super GT300-spec B4?

Noah Joseph — Fri, 12 Jun 2009 08:28:00 EST

Filed under: Motorsports, Sedan, Japan, Subaru

2010 JDM Subaru Legacy B4 Wagon - Click above for high-res image gallery

The boys over at Subaru Tecnica International must have some extra time on their hands lately. Sure, they opened a museum recently, and may have even lent a hand with Ken Block's new Gymkhana ride. But after canceling their iconic World Rally Championship program, we can mentally picture the tumbleweed rolling through their garage. Thankfully, if the latest rumors from Nihon Car are any indication, the STI crew may have a new project on their hands: a racing version of the new Legacy for the Japanese local Super GT series.

Although details are few and far between at this point, the Legacy STI would reportedly compete in the series' second-tier GT300 class, not in the top-level GT500. The GT300 category closely mirrors production car specs, so don't expect any wild conversions, but STI would surely push the envelope here, especially considering that their super-sedan would have to dice it with the likes of Porsche GT3s and race-prepped Ferraris and Lamborghinis.

Privateer team Cusco won a race last year at Sepang with a GT300-spec Impreza, where the all-wheel-drive proved an advantage, but there's no telling what could happen if Subaru throws the weight of its factory support behind a works racing effort.

[Source: Nihon Car]

Racing Legacy: Subaru STI preparing Super GT300-spec B4? originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 12 Jun 2009 08:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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FIA-GT1 Nissan GT-R spied, LeMans specs rumored

Damon Lavrinc — Fri, 26 Dec 2008 13:00:00 EST

Filed under: Motorsports, Performance, Japan, Supercars, Nissan

Click above for a high-res gallery of the Nissan GT-R FIA-GT1

Japan's Auto Sport magazine has procured a handful of shots and some preliminary specs on the FIA-GT1-ready Nissan GT-R, and judging by the modifications and performance stats, Nissan is planning an all-out assault on the series and a possible campaign at LeMans.

In order to get the GT-R up to snuff, NISMO has fitted the super coupe with a full body kit, GT-style wing, plexiglass windows, upgraded brakes, wheels and ducting, along with a hood reminiscent of the unit fitted on the SuperGT GT500 class GT-R. Informed speculation says that Nissan has ditched the twin-turbo'd 3.8-liter V6 in favor of a V8, possibly the 4.5-liter VK45DE used on the SuperGT racer.

The Nissan GT-R LM is rumored to be putting out 542 hp and 448 lb-ft of torque with a curb weight of 3,417 pounds and a price tag somewhere in the ballpark of 18,000,000 yen, or just under $200k US. Production is rumored to be limited to 300 units total, with 10 vehicles being built each month.

The LeMans car would only be sold to teams competing in the enduro, with a price tag of 65,000,000 yen ($720k US), 592 hp, 506 lb-ft of torque and tipping the scales at 2,976 pounds. There's still no confirmation when Nissan will begin campaigning the GT-R in a series outside of SuperGT, but don't be surprised to see an LM-spec car in at least one series in 2009.

Gallery: Nissan GT-R LM, FIA-GT1

[Source: GTRCenter]

FIA-GT1 Nissan GT-R spied, LeMans specs rumored originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 26 Dec 2008 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Spoiler Alert: Super GT Rd. 3 Results

Justin Gardiner — Mon, 05 May 2008 09:56:00 EST

Filed under: Motorsports, Performance, Japan, Honda, Nissan, Toyota, Toys/Games

Click above for a huge, high-res gallery of Rd. 3 of the '08 SuperGT season.

After previous incarnations of the Nissan GT-R ran away with successive JGTC titles, Japan's GT Association decided to inflict "success ballast" on race winners in an attempt to level the playing field (i.e give Toyota and Honda a chance).

As the current GT-R race car is built to 2009 Super GT specifications, the GT-A handed it a weight penalty of 50kgs added right from the start of the season. After winning Round 1 in Suzuka car number 23 had to carry an additional 50kgs at Round 2 in Sugo, which it promptly won anyway. Then thanks to also setting numerous fastest laps and other speeding offenses it was deemed that Benoit Treluyer and Satoshi Motoyama's ride would have to port an massive 200ks (440lbs) of ballast at this weekend's race at Fuji Speedway.

That presents a couple of problems. Firstly, where the heck do you safely stow 200kgs of lead? And would the car meet GT-A regulations even if Nissan found a way to do it? The ruling body's compromise was to give the car a 115kg penalty and fit a stifling restrictor to the GT-R's air intake. That knocked 30kph off the GT-R's maximum velocity at the end of Fuji's 1.5km straight, and in the words of Benoit, "Gives us no chance at all."

Follow through the jump to find out if he was right, and to find out how Lightning McQueen faired in GT300 after qualifying on pole yesterday.

Gallery: 2008 Super GT - Round 3

Continue reading Spoiler Alert: Super GT Rd. 3 Results

Spoiler Alert: Super GT Rd. 3 Results originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 05 May 2008 09:56:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Super GT 2008: XANAVI NISMO GT-R starts season with two consecutive wins

Damon Lavrinc — Mon, 14 Apr 2008 15:37:00 EST

Filed under: Motorsports, Japan

Click either image for a high-res gallery of Round Two of SuperGT.

The second round of the SuperGT Championship wrapped up over the weekend, and for the first time in ten years, one team sat atop the podium for two consecutive wins. The XANAVI NISMO GT-R, piloted by Benoit Treluyer and Satoshi Motoyama, took the GT500 class win in Okayama, despite being saddled with a 100 kg weight penalty after winning the first race of the season. The last time a team was able to land first place two races in a row was in 1998 when the another Skyline GT-R won the first and third race of the season (the 2nd race was cancelled due to poor weather).

In the GT300 race, the No. 43 team running the ARTA Garaiya took its first win with a new chassis design, followed by the Yunker Power Taisan Porsche and in a surprise 3rd place finish, the No. 77 Cusco Dunlop Subaru Impreza made its first appearance on the podium after struggling with reliability issues after utilizing a new all-wheel-drive system.

The top three race results in both the GT500 and GT300 classes are posted after the jump and we've assembled a gallery for your perusal below.

Gallery: 2008 SuperGT Round 2 - Okayama

Continue reading Super GT 2008: XANAVI NISMO GT-R starts season with two consecutive wins

Super GT 2008: XANAVI NISMO GT-R starts season with two consecutive wins originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 14 Apr 2008 15:37:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Kachow! Lightning McQueen 13th in first race, just ahead of Mach 5

Justin Gardiner — Mon, 17 Mar 2008 16:58:00 EST

Filed under: Motorsports, Japan, Toyota, Toys/Games, Celebrities

Lightning McQueen came home 13th in his first race in the Japanese Super GT-300 Championship, one place ahead of new rival, Speed Racer Mach Go Go Go.

The rookie, who looks suspiciously like last year's Team Toy Story APR Toyota MR-S, has apparently been lured away from The Piston Cup by a company that makes products under license of Pixar and Disney. No matter, my three-year-old was beside himself with joy when he saw number 95 hit the track, and I suspect he was not alone.

14th pace finisher, the Mach Go VEMAC 320R (below), is far from new to Super GT's 300hp class, but may get a little more attention internationally once Speed Racer is released Stateside.

Kachow! Lightning McQueen 13th in first race, just ahead of Mach 5 originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 17 Mar 2008 16:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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2008 Tokyo Auto Salon: Nissan GT500 GT-R live!

Damon Lavrinc — Fri, 18 Jan 2008 08:28:00 EST

Filed under: Motorsports, Japan, Supercars, Nissan, Tokyo Auto Salon

click above for more live and studio shots of the GT500 GT-R

The return of Godzilla to SuperGT kicked off last week with the official unveiling of Nissan's GT500 GT-R and our colleagues at Autoblog Chinese snapped off a dozen shots of the race-ready coupe in its new black and red livery. Nissan hasn't released details on what will be powering the new GT-R racer, but speculation and rumor says that Nissan might utilize the 4.5-liter V8 that's currently under the hood of its 350Z GT500 vehicle. We balk at the idea of not utilizing the 3.8-liter twin-turbo'd V6 found in the showroom version of the GT-R, but we can understand if the new motor might not be up to snuff yet for the punishment it would have to endure in SuperGT.

Gallery: Nissan GT-R GT500 Race Car

2008 Tokyo Auto Salon: Nissan GT500 GT-R live! originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 18 Jan 2008 08:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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2008 Tokyo Auto Salon: Lexus IS-F racer unveiled

Damon Lavrinc — Thu, 17 Jan 2008 13:59:00 EST

Filed under: Motorsports, Sedan, Japan, Lexus, Toyota, Tokyo Auto Salon

click above for high-res images of the IS F Racing Concept from TAS

Lexus quietly trotted out its IS-F Racing Concept last week at the Tokyo Auto Salon, but despite the official unveiling, more questions than answers remain about the future of the DTM-inspired sedan.

According to Winding Road, the racer was the brainchild of the IS-F's chief engineer, Yukihiko Yaguchi, who wanted to create a vehicle that further expanded the credentials of the IS-F. Unfortunately, when Peter Nunn questioned the Toyota folks about what plans it had for the concept, he was met with resounding silence.

Rumors are swirling that this particular concept is nothing more than a design study, with no intention of campaigning a similar IS-F competitively. However, Lexus is supposedly working on an IS-F to campaign in the SuperGT GT300 series in Japan, with the SC430-based racer soldiering on in the GT500 class. More surprising is that the IS-F currently being developed by the Japanese Bandoh team might be sporting a mid-engine configuration. We're not sure if that's going to sit well with SuperGT officials, but testing of the race car is expected to begin at Suzuka towards the end of February and we'll know more then.

Autoblog Chinese snapped off a handful of images of the IS-F Racing Concept in person while at the Tokyo Auto Salon and you can check them out in the gallery below.

[Source: Winding Road]

Gallery: Lexus IS F Racing Concept

2008 Tokyo Auto Salon: Lexus IS-F racer unveiled originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 17 Jan 2008 13:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Nissan to debut GT-R in Japan's Super GT series

Merritt Johnson — Thu, 25 Oct 2007 16:57:00 EST

Filed under: Motorsports, Tokyo Motor Show, Nissan

click above image to view more high-res pics of the 2008 Nissan GT-R

During the live unveiling of the Nissan GT-R, CEO Carlos Ghosn made hints at Nissan running the GT-R in Japan's Super GT series. While it was pretty inevitable the GT-R would eventually be unleashed on the racetrack, it was unknown how long it would take before cars were constructed and tested. Today Nissan announced the NISMO entry of a GT-R in the GT500 class for the upcoming 2008 season. It has been four years since Nissan last ran a GT-R in this series. They have since been running V8 powered 350Zs. The Super GT GT-R's technical details will be released during a NISMO press conference in February. Since the 350Z underwent an incredible transformation when built for Super G it will be very interesting to see how the new GT-R will appear with some added diffusers and canards. Follow the jump for the official press release.

[Source: Nissan]

Gallery: 2008 Nissan GT-R close ups

Gallery: Nissan GT-R

Continue reading Nissan to debut GT-R in Japan's Super GT series

Nissan to debut GT-R in Japan's Super GT series originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 25 Oct 2007 16:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Nissan brings V8-power to Super GT

Damon Lavrinc — Mon, 12 Feb 2007 13:02:00 EST

Filed under: Motorsports, Performance, Japan, Nissan

Click the image above for a high res image.

If you haven't had the opportunity to check out the Japanese Grand Touring Car Championship (JGTC), or as it's now referred to, the Super GT series, you're missing out. Supras battle NSXs, Zs and Imprezas. Lamborghinis take on Ferraris, Porsches and GT-Rs.

There are two classes GT300, for vehicles producing 300 HP, and GT500 for vehicles that are making, you guessed it, 500 HP. Both groups attack the same course at the same time, which makes for some of the greatest wheel-to-wheel touring car action in the world. Back in December of 2004, GTLIVE convinced the organizers of the JGTC to head east for an exhibition run at California Speedway in order to gauge interest in the sport Stateside. It was one Hell of a show, but at the end of the day, the sanctioning body of the JGTC didn't feel it was worth the effort to come back the following year.

Follow the jump, for more on the V8-powerd NISMO 350Z, a pic of the engine and the full press release.

Continue reading Nissan brings V8-power to Super GT

Nissan brings V8-power to Super GT originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 12 Feb 2007 13:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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