Super GT 2013 Rd 3 line-up of activities announced
The third round of the 2013 Autobacs Super GT season will be taking place at the Sepang International Circuit next month on 15-16 June with JPM Motorsport completing its three-year commitment to host the series’ only round outside Japan from 2011 until this year. A launch ceremony was held at Kota Damansara earlier today, where it was announced that this year’s event will be featuring the theme 5-Star Super GT.
Formerly known as the All-Japan Grand Touring Car Championship (JGTC), the Super GT Series was established in 1993 by the Japanese Automobile Federation (JAF) through its subsidiary GT Association (GTA). Malaysia has had the honour for hosting the only round outside Japan for the last 13 years.
The main race is divided into two classes – GT300 and GT500 – with cars coming from both Japanese and Continental manufacturers, namely Lexus, Honda, Nissan, Toyota, Subaru, Porsche, Lamborghini, Ferrari, BMW, Mosler, Chevrolet, Audi, Aston Martin, and Mercedes-Benz.
Participating drivers include some top racing drivers from Japan and other parts of the world, such as Ralph Firman, Joao Paulo de Oliveira, Seiji Ara, Michale Krumm, and Andre Couto. The combined motorsports experience of these drivers encompass some of the best-known races of the world, such as Formula 1, Formula 3, FIA GT Championship, Macau GP, and Formula Nippon Series.
Added incentive for Malaysians to brave the weather in Sepang that weekend will be the participation of a Malaysian driver and also a Malaysian-backed team. Fairuz Fauzy will be racing alongside Yuki Iwasaki for the APR Audi R8 LMS Ultra in the GT300 class, whilst in the GT500 class is the Petronas Toms SC430 Team represented by Kazuki Nakajima and James Rossiter.
“We are gunning for a phenomenal race weekend with lots of action and activities on as well as off the track. We’re working on a whole host of activities and attraction and all I can say is that it’s going to be exciting for everyone, race fans or otherwise,” said JPM Managing Director, Mr T.J. Chin.
Further building up the motorsports atmosphere will be side races such as the Asia Cup race by Meritus and also the Ultra Racing Gymkhana & Drifting session that will be held just outside the track area.
Supporting activities include the Affin Bank Motorshow which will feature cars from Honda, Toyota, Nissan, Mazda, Subaru, Porsche, and Lamborghini. There will once again be an attempt to set a biggest gathering record with the Malaysian Book of Records, though unlike in previous years, the attempt this time will be to create a record for the Biggest and Noisiest Super Bike Gathering on track.
Off track, visitors can look forward to a carnival atmosphere with the Japan Town by Sachi that will be held through the two race days, and the Dash Berlin ‘Music is Life’ World Tour 2013 party that will take place on Saturday night. There will also be the 2013 Malaysian Super GT Queen Search Pageant that will seek to unearth on Malaysian to join the ranks of Japanese GT Queens for the 2014 season.
As before, tickets are priced at RM100 with access open for both days.
