MURATA, Japan – Former Nissan GT Academy winner Jann Mardenborough has scored his first Super GT podium with a third-place finish at Sportsland Sugo aboard his Nissan GT‑R NISMO GT500.
Teamed with Japanese racer Daiki Sasaki, Mardenborough started on the front row at Sugo and made a move for the lead at turn one on lap 22.
He held the top spot until lap 38 when he pitted to hand over to Sasaki. The Japanese racer lost the top spot while bringing his tires up to temperature and later ran off course at the final corner.
The trip through the grass hindered Sasaki's pace, but he was able to recover to cross the line in third place after a tight battle at the end.
🏆 @Jannthaman's first GT500 podium today in @SUPERGT_JP. With the pace he showed again today, there might be more to follow! P3 with @daikiwolf23. #NISMOnation #GamerToRacer pic.twitter.com/UYvOrlYJX5
— Nissan NISMO (@NISMO) September 16, 2018
🎬 Check out the highlights from Sugo's @SUPERGT_JP battle where @Jannthaman scored his first GT500 class podium for @Nissan with @daikiwolf23. #NISMOnation #OMGTR pic.twitter.com/AaSoGVs0mY
— Nissan NISMO (@NISMO) September 17, 2018
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"Overtaking the GT300 cars was really difficult today," said Mardenborough. "I've encountered these situations a number of times up until now, but when fighting for the top spot, it becomes even more difficult. I'm really happy to grab my first podium finish in the GT500 class. In the next round, I want to aim for even better and grab a win."
This was the second race in a row where Mardenborough and Sasaki demonstrated exceptional pace. The duo dominated the previous round at Fuji only to suffer a late-race technical issue.
"I pushed really hard because I wanted to catch up with the leader," said Sasaki. "Then I picked up some marbles and went off course at the final corner. After that it became tough to lift the pace. In spite of that, I drove as hard as I could, managed to fight off the No. 38, and I think I showed that we had speed. I want to ride on this momentum and take victory in the next round."
The Sugo weekend was a strong round for all of the Nissan GT‑R NISMO GT500 teams. All four cars finished in the top 10 with JP de Oliveira and Mitsunori Takaboshi finishing sixth ahead of Ronnie Quintarelli/Tsugio Matsuda (7th) and Satoshi Motoyama/Katsumasa Chiyo (8th).
Nissan also took a podium in GT300 with Kazuki Hoshino and Hiroki Yoshida scoring second place aboard their Gainer Nissan GT‑R NISMO GT3.
Read all about @Jannthaman's first @SUPERGT_JP GT500 podium in the No. 12 @Nissan #OMGTR NISMO GT500 alongside teammate @daikiwolf23.
— Nissan NISMO (@NISMO) September 17, 2018
➡️https://t.co/kdXUAYDNBM pic.twitter.com/czWrEBwrdM
The @Nissan @SUPERGT_JP squad took on Sportsland Sugo this weekend with former @GTAcademy winner @Jannthaman earning his first GT500 podium.
— Nissan NISMO (@NISMO) September 17, 2018
➡️Check out all the photos from race day here: https://t.co/Jim2ROu3Qn pic.twitter.com/FXhezLXR5l
NISMO Calendar
September 22-23
Blancpain GT Series Asia, Shanghai International Circuit, China
European Le Mans Series, Spa-Francorchamps, Belgium
Michelin Le Mans Cup, Spa-Francorchamps, Belgium
Nissan Micra Cup, Mont Tremblant, Quebec, Canada
British GT Championship, Donington Park, England
September 29-30
Blancpain GT Series Endurance Cup, Barcelona, Spain
Contact
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Phone: +33 7 7614 7286
ATeslik@nissan-europe.com
Paul Ryan
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Phone: +1 678 644 0404
paul@nismosupport.com
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