GTNET ADVAN NISSAN GT-R takes 2nd step on the podium in Korea

May 25-26, Inje Speedium (Korea)
Round Two of the Super Taikyu Series was held at the newly-built Inje Speedium circuit in South Korea, where the #81 GTNET ADVAN NISSAN GT-R(Takayuki Aoki, Kazuki Hoshino, Naofumi Omoto), racing in the GT3 class, took the second step on the podium in the second race.

GT3-class #81 GTNET ADVAN NISSAN GT-R

Super Taikyu, which had its season-opening race cancelled due to snow, opened with Round two of its series in South Korea. 20 racecars from Japan and 11 machines from South Korea competed in the event in which two 45-minute sprint races were run, a format different from the norm. The Nissan GT-R entered in the GT3 class was the only Nissan representative in the race.

With Aoki at the wheel, the #81 GT-R took third place in qualifying for the first race, and after teammate Hoshino tied with the fastest car in qualifying for the second race, took second. Even though Hoshino didn't get sufficient track time during the practice session due to mechanical problems, he recorded his best lap time on the final timed lap. Hoshino reflected on qualifying, saying: "I really believed that my times were continuing to improve so it's frustrating knowing that, had I had some more time, I could have achieved the fastest time."

Starting the first race from pit lane due to mechanical problems, Aoki was able to climb to seventh position within three laps of the start after some hard driving, but all was lost when he had to return to the pit with mechanical problems on lap five after making contact with another car that had spun during the race. Returning to the race proved difficult and he was forced to retire.

There was an approximately four-hour wait before the second race began and the team, who had by then finished the repairs on their car, sent Aoki's teammate Hoshino out in top form. Hoshino, who wanted to pay the mechanics back for all their effort, drew closer to the car in first place. However, the rival in third was putting intense pressure on Hoshino, so that he was unable to focus solely on the struggle for the top spot. In the race's final stages, a nose-to-tail battle for second place unfurled over and over again, but he protected his position until the very end. On the winners' podium he stood in second place.

Takayuki Aoki (#81 GTNET ADVAN NISSAN GT-R /First Race: DNF)
"I almost wasn't able to run in the practice session, so was thrown into qualifying without any rehearsal. In the race, I was somehow able to start from the pit lane, but another team's car spun out and I started having car trouble. It was a frustrating waste of a race, but I am glad that Hoshino was able to take revenge for me"

Kazuki Hoshino (#81 GTNET ADVAN NISSAN GT-R /Second Race: 2nd)
"I pulled out in front at the start and thought, 'I really want to win,' but the fatigue of my tires got worse than I'd expected. With a lot of things happened this weekend, there was the possibility that I would finish the race with no points. It was disappointing that I didn't win, but I think the fact that I was able to get some points is great, particularly when taking into consideration the series overall."

• Super Taikyu Series Round 2 GT3 Class Race 1
• Super Taikyu Series Round 2 GT3 Class Race 2

<Related Link>
NISSAN MOTORSPORTS Web Site

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