2024 Autobacs SUPER GT

Round 6 Sportsland Sugo [GT500 class]

Thrilling Comeback Victory for Ukyo Sasahara and Giuliano Alesi (Deloitte TOM'S GR Supra/ Bridgestone) at 2024 AUTOBACS SUPER GT Round 6 In a stunning performance, they went from 14^th position on the grid to win their second race of the season at the 2024 AUTOBACS SUPER GT Round 6 at Sportsland Sugo. Despite unpredictable weather and a reshuffled schedule, the pair executed a flawless strategy to secure a memorable win..

WEATHER WREAKS HAVOC ON THE RACE SCHEDULE

Initially, Round 5 at Suzuka was delayed to December due to Typhoon No. 10, leading to Round 6 at Sportsland Sugo being held first. The weekend in the Tohoku region was marred by heavy rain that drenched the circuit, resulting in several schedule changes, including an unusual final grid based on practice session times rather than qualifying. Despite these challenges, Sasahara and Alesi, undeterred by the conditions, masterfully navigated the treacherous track and outsmarted the competition, securing their second victory of the season.

PRACTICE TIMES SET THE STAGE FOR THE RACE

The scheduled qualifying session began with light rain falling on the circuit. As the rain intensified, organisers cancelled qualifying altogether, and the final grid positions were based on times from the morning's practice session, which had seen its fair share of chaos—five red flags were issued due to numerous crashes and cars going off-course.

PRACTICE RUN

PO.	NO.	MACHINE	DRIVER	BEST TIME
1	#38	KeePer CERUMO GR Supra TOYOTA GR Supra GT500	Hiroaki Ishiura Toshiki Oyu	1'24.980
2	#14	ENEOS X PRIME GR Supra TOYOTA GR Supra GT500	Kazuya Oshima Nirei Fukuzumi	1'25.283
4	#36	au TOM'S GR Supra TOYOTA GR Supra GT500	Sho Tsuboi Kenta Yamashita	1'25.944
5	#12	MARELLI IMPUL Z Nissan Z NISMO GT500	Kazuki Hiramine Bertrand Baguette	1’26.115

RACE DAY DRAMA

Race day was uncertain as forecasts predicted torrential rain, threatening the event. A supporting race that morning was cut short due to heavy downpours. However, the rain had lightened by the time the final warm-up session took place, and teams were hopeful the weather would hold.

As the race began behind the Safety Car, all cars were fitted with rain tyres. After three laps, the racing action kicked off, and Sho Tsuboi and Kenta Yamashita (au TOM'S GR Supra/Bridgestone), starting fourth, seized the lead early.

They showcased incredible speed in the wet and pulled an impressive 8-second gap before the first Safety Car was deployed.

But the real story of the race was the meteoric rise of Sasahara and Alesi. Starting from the 14^th place, they swiftly climbed through the ranks. After the Safety Car period, they found themselves in 3^rdplace, and in a thrilling display of skill, they overtook the two leading cars to claim the top spot.

The race continued to be a battle against both the track and the weather. The Full Course Yellow (FCY) was activated mid-race, and teams scrambled to pit and change to slick tyres as the rain subsided but left the track half-wet. While Kazuki Hiramine and Bertrand Baguette (MARELLI IMPUL Z/Bridgestone), along with Ishiura and Oyu (KeePer CERUMO GR Supra/Bridgestone), made a push to challenge for the lead, Sasahara and Alesi held firm, maintaining control and steadily extending their advantage.

By the time they crossed the finish line, Sasahara and Alesi had built a commanding 19-second lead over second place, marking a dominant victory. With this incredible comeback win, they leap to second in the overall standings, trailing only their teammates Tsuboi and Yamashita.

The unpredictable weather and chaotic conditions made this race one for the history books, but Sasahara and Alesi proved their skill, resilience, and strategic brilliance on one of the most challenging weekends of the season..

ACTUAL RACE

PO.	NO.	MACHINE	DRIVER	TOTAL TIME
1	#37	Deloitte TOM'S GR Supra TOYOTA GR Supra GT500	Ukyo Sasahara Giuliano Alesi	1’15.170
2	#38	KeePer CERUMO GR Supra TOYOTA GR Supra GT500	Hiroaki Ishiura Toshiki Oyu	1’15.217
3	#12	MARELLI IMPUL Z Nissan Z NISMO GT500	Kazuki Hiramine Bertrand Baguette	1’15.880
4	#36	au TOM'S GR Supra TOYOTA GR Supra GT500	Sho Tsuboi Kenta Yamashita	1’15.287

WORDS FROM THE PODIUM

“I can only say one word: I'm happy. Unfortunately, the qualifying session yesterday was cancelled due to bad weather, so we weren't in a good condition to drive, and we started from 14^th on the grid. I think the other teams were also struggling with their tyre choices before the start. Of course I struggled until the very last moment, but I think the reason we won was that I thought that tyre choice was the right one. I'm grateful to Bridgestone. For the first few laps, it was all about willpower. I mean, I just had to survive on the course, endure and wait for a good situation to come along. Being able to endure there and adopt a different strategy from the others allowed us to catch up to the top, even with the Safety Car in the end during the first stint. The team also made an excellent call when the Full Course Yellow (FCY) came out afterwards, so we were able to enter the pits. From there, Giuliano just did his best, and we all focused on winning. At the start, we were last, so it was essentially a tail-to-win - it was all thanks to the teamwork.”

Ukyo Sasahara, Winning Driver (Deloitte TOM'S GR Supra/Bridgestone)

“I think it was very unfortunate that we couldn't qualify yesterday. The weather was bad with rain, so I couldn't get a good lap time, and the tyre choice was not ideal, so we began from 14^th place. But we were able to start the race very aggressively. I think the tyres that our team chose and the setup of the car were really good. SUGO is a circuit where it is very difficult to overtake especially when you start from the back. Ukyo started from 14^th, despite being in a very difficult situation, he handed the car over to me in the top position. He drove really well! Also, regarding the tyres, the choice of both rain and slicks was the best. I really want to thank the team and Bridgestone.”

Giuliano Alesi, Winning Driver (Deloitte TOM'S GR Supra/Bridgestone)

“Firstly, qualifying was cancelled, but each team predicted that their practice run times would determine the grid, and as a result they were able to secure a spot on the front row. The final race was also in very difficult conditions, and I think it was difficult to decide what range to set the rain tires in. The Safety Car came on exactly halfway through the race, and each car pitted, and from there they switched to slicks. The rain and slick tyres that we brought with us and supplied to the teams matched well, and the teams that matched those tyres and their strategies were able to win and finish in the top positions.”

Takahiko Yamamoto, Bridgestone Motorsport Tyre Development Manager

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