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August 11, 2020
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CRAFTSPORTS MOTUL GT-R takes second consecutive top 10 finish
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One prominent performance came from the #12 CALSONIC IMPUL GT-R, which saw starting driver Kazuki Hiramine immediately pass the #39 GR Supra to leap up to 3rd in the first lap. Unfortunately, after several close battles that unfolded over a number of laps, he would relinquish one position later in the race and second stint driver, Daiki Sasaki also faced some fierce competition, dropping down further to 5th. Luck proved to not be on their side and a later contact with a GT300 machine allowed one more rival through, leaving Sasaki to cross the finish line in 6th, only to be penalized after the race and officially dropped down to 11th.
Once again it was the #3 CRAFTSPORTS MOTUL GT-R that really saw its efforts pay off. A strong first stint from Kohei Hirate and rapid pit work enabled Katsumasa Chiyo to climb up in the second half of the race where he carried out a bumper-to-bumper battle with the #23 GT-R. Skilfully utilizing GT300 class traffic to slip passed the fellow Nissan, he then set his sights on the #38 GR Supra. Despite a zealous pursuit, he couldn't quite make it passed and he finished the race in 8th place. This made it consecutive top 10 finishes for the #3 GT-R.
Hirate went on to say, "I'm really glad the whole team was able to work hard together to grab some important points." Chiyo had nothing but praise for his teammate and crew stating, "It was Hirate's strong performance and the team's solid pit work that allowed us to climb up to a higher position. I'm really looking forward to Suzuka, a favourite course of mine where I've won in the past."
In the GT300 class the #56 GT-R NISMO GT3 managed to move up two places in the first half of the race and overtook another rival in the closing stages to finish in 5th.
After two consecutive races held at Fuji Speedway, the next round of the SUPER GT will be held at Suzuka Circuit on August 22nd to 23rd.