Nissan Z won JGTC 2004 All-star 200, first race in US

The Japanese top production based cars race series; JGTC has made a first foot step on the US soil in the series history.  On the first day, the 200 mile race started in the late afternoon (16:30 US PST Time), and G'ZOX SSR Hasemi Z (#3, Toshihiro Kaneishi / Erik Comas) has grabbed the victory in this inaugural event.

JGTC 2004 All-star race event was held at the California Speedway in Fontana, 50miles east of Los Angeles.  California Speedway is one of the super-speedways in the US with 2-mile oval course.  At this course, the Indy Car and NASCAR series are competing regularly, and for this exclusive event the track was modified to 2.3 mile (approximately 3.7km) course with its oval and in-field portion combined.

The JGTC 2004 All-star is an exhibition type race aside from the regular series and the championship has already been decided as Xanavi NISMO Z won the series title at last race held in Suzuka, Japan. The series champions Satoshi Motoyama and Richard Lyons are the entrants of this race and these top drivers are contending on the US track first time.

The first day on Dec-18^th, combined run of two classes was given for 30 minutes in the qualifying session. Also each class was given 10 minutes, which the time is shorter than the regular race series. Lyons (#1-Xanavi NISMO Z) who runs at last of this qualifying session recorded the top time of 1:23.124 sec. The qualifying second is Calsonic IMPUL Z (#12, Benoit Treluyer / Yuji Ide)1:23.289 sec., resulting NISSAN domination of the front row. Motul Pitwork Z (#22, Masami Kageyama/Michael Krumn) marked is starting 5^th and G'ZOX SSR Hasemi Z (#3, Toshihiro Kaneishi / Erik Comas) finished 8^th in the qualifying session. 

Immediately after this qualifying attack, at 16:30 US time the 200 mile race started in same day. Also, in this race there is a requirement for each car to be coming in to the pit at least two times after 15 laps completed. At the pit there is also a special rule that the car must change four tires and the additional fuel needs to be added.

Started 8th and continuously adding the position upwards, Comas' Z (car #3) run 7^th after 1^st lap and by 31^st lap the car runs 2^nd in the competition. His pace was consistent afterwards and making the gap between cars run behind. Under the course caution Comas headed to pit and in the rest of the race wisely using lapped cars and finished 2^nd . But after the race finished a violation was found against the top finished number 32 car that they did not comply the newly enforced pit stop regulation therefore Z-#3 to move up to be a winner of the race.

Z-#12 took over the 1^st  place and at 22^nd lap the driver was changed from Treluyer to Ide. Returned back on the track running 10^th and the position was further advanced to 3^rd in lap 47. When the top car pitted at lap 50, Z-#12 moved forward to 2^nd following Z-#3 running 2nd.

After setting today's fastest lap record and fulfilling mandatory second pit stop, Z-#12 was able to return on the track 5th and later advanced to 4^th. Ide passed start/finish line in 4^th position even with the rear cowl damaged.

Qualifying top Motoyama, the first driver of Xanavi Nismo Z pulled other contenders in the race and kept the top but he was blocked by the lapped car at 10^th lap that makes him lost the lead margin. On lap 12 at the entrance of in-field section, Motoyama was passed by Treluyer in Calsonic Inpul Z (#12) and his pace continues to drop. He was hit by car behind and span at the in-field section and contacted with Michigami's NSX( #18). The race has stopped under yellow and meanwhile Motoyama returned to pit trying to fix his Z but the right rear suspension arm was heavily damaged unrepairable. Motoyama retired as a result.

Kageyama who drove in Motul Pitwork Z-#22 was started 5^th on the grid later advanced to the top while car #12 is in the pit at lap 22^nd . However on lap 31^st  he span at the chicane and was passed by PIAA NSX(#32). After the driver change to Krumm, pace was not improved and at lap 58 he came in to the pit claiming heavy steering. The problem was not repairable and he had to end the race here.  

Masahiro Hasemi, G'Zox · SSR Hasemi Z(#3)/ Hasemi Motorsports Team Manager said,

I confirmed about the special pit-in regulation in this race with martial officer during the race and No.3 car made pit-in again in total of three times. So I had 70% confidence of our victory.Since only My Team did not get a win in 2004 season among GT500Zs, I am really pleased to win although it is an All-Star competition.

Erik Comas said, I enjoyed this first race in US.  I'm really glad to won inaugural event. I hope American manufactures and drivers will compete in Japan next year.

[Results] 87 Laps Fair, Dry, 24c, 32,500 spectators

The second day race event All-Star Sprint was held on December 19 at California Speedway.   Day 2 race uses 1.45 miles course, which is only the in-field portion.

A sprint race was held followed by a 10-minute qualifying session for each class. The total laps in the race would be 25 with 36.25 miles running length and no driver change during the race. Team can choose which driver to be in the car in both the race and qualifying run.

Four Zs, Xanavi NISMO Z (#1 Richard Lyons), Calsonic IMPUL Z (#12 Benoit Treluyer), G'ZOX SSR Hasemi Z (#3 Toshihiro Kaneishi), Motul Pitwork Z (#22 Masami Kageyama) were qualified.   #1 Z won the pole position for two daysin a row, #12 Z was 3rd.  #22 and #3 Z were 6th and 9th in qualifying respectively.  

After formation laps the main race started in a rolling style. Pole setter #1 Z was not able to enter the race because of the electrical problem. Also, #12 Z had engine trouble and #22 Z with continuing power steering failure could not make the starting grids resulting three Z's out of competition. Only G'ZOX SSR Hasemi Z (#3 Kaneishi) was running in the race and checkered at 5th place.

This first-ever JGTC race event held in the US promoted a total number of 60,000 people through 2-day with much excitement and prosperity.