2022 SUPER GT Overview

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• 2022 SUPER GT Overview
  

Having its roots in the All-Japan GT Championship inaugurated in 1994, the Super GT series has identified itself as its current name since 2005. And it has attracted a high number of spectators in each race meeting on Japanese major race tracks. While there has been no overseas event in recent years, the races are always exciting, and the series has become globally popular mainly through internet streaming.

In the Super GT races, there are two classes, GT300 and GT500. Three Japanese car manufacturers send their factory teams in the GT500 class, and the top professional drivers compete aggressively in the most technically advanced tin-top race cars. On the other hand, a wide variety of vehicles from both home and abroad can be seen in the lesser GT300 class, and they race each other, exerting their individual qualities.

Usually, each car is driven by two drivers, who do driver changes at the car’s pit stop. The teams are allowed to refuel and change the tires during the stop, so there are opportunities for the mechanics and other teams’ staffs to contribute to their race directly. Of course, the team managers’ calls, including when to make the stop, would greatly influence the race’s outcome, so that’s where the knowledgeable fans are watching with interest.

The 2022 Super GT championship calendar has eight races, like last year. However, this year, the news is that there are three 450km races that are longer than other ones. There’s no significant change in the rules and regulations, but a number of new cars, including Nissan Z, the company’s new GT500 racer, have been introduced in both classes, so the series has a lot to offer in this new season.

Looking back at the series’ history, Yokohama Tire has played a part in many historical events. For example, the cars using the company’s products won both the GT500 and GT300 classes in the very first race of the renamed Super GT series in 2005. For the 2022 season, many teams in the GT300 class rely again on Yokohama as their preferred racing rubbers. As for the GT500 class, TGR TEAM WedsSport BANDOH and KONDO RACING, running GR Supra and Nissan Z, respectively, participate in the series, aiming at race wins with Yokohama Tire.