LEXUS TEAM PETRONAS TOM’S
2009 Super GT Series
Round 6, Pokka GT Summer Special (700km race)
Suzuka International Racing Course (日本語)
22 - 23 August 2009  (Race Results)

Weather: Overcast but dry
Temperature: 29 - 33°C (ambient) | 38 - 40°C (track)
Race Format: 5.807km x 121Laps

It was an unfortunate outcome for the LEXUS Team PETRONAS TOM'S for Round 6 of the 2009 Super GT Series at the Suzuka circuit last Sunday. The series' summer special round at Suzuka was traditionally a 1000km race but was reduced to 700km for this year. Still the longest round in the championship, the team were headed into the round carrying a hefty 78kg weight handicap in its bid for a points finish.

The race itself was promising for the team through much of the race until the emergence of the safety car in the latter half, prompting a call for a pit stop, which allowed the No.36 PETRONAS TOM'S SC430 car to return to the race with the real possibility of a podium finish. Unfortunately, as a result of what had been deemed a racing incident following an on track contact between the No. 36 and a GT300 class car, the stewards handed the team a drive-through penalty while the team were up in 2nd position, eliminating any podium chances. The team eventually finished eighth. Race Results

Qualifying
Adopting a knock-out system for qualifying from the previous single qualifying session to the Superlap; the weight handicap proved to be a major influence. Despite the predicament, the No. 36 PETRONAS TOM'S SC430 was able to qualify through all three sessions. With Andre handling the first and second qualifying sessions, Juichi was responsible for the final session setting the 7th fastest time, raising the team's expectations for a points finish.

Race
Despite a short rain spell prior to the start of the race, the race itself was held with dry conditions eventually prevailing. With Lotterer as the starting driver, the German was able to maintain his pace to keep his seventh position through the bulk of the 121-lap race. In the latter stages of the race, while running in 8th, the German went off at the 130R corner on lap 73. Going into the high-speed corner from the inside, Lotterer ran over a hump forcing him off track but he managed to steer the car back on course without any damage, though losing one position.

On lap 85, one of the ARTA NSX car caught fire prompting a safety car period that led to a flurry of activities in the pit lane as crews worked to prepare for impending stops at the restart. The race resumed five laps later and the team made the call for a stop. The call proved a crucial one as it allowed the No.36 car to rejoin in second position with Juichi Wakisaka at the wheel. In the bid to chase the leader, there was a little contact with a GT300 car going into the 130R which led to a stewards' investigation into the incident. As a result, the team were handed a drive-through penalty, dropping the PETRONAS TOM'S SC430 down to an eighth place finish.

Juichi Wakisaka, JPN
“I had a really good run in the final qualifying session and this was the basis of our strategy for the race. It was a fairly consistent run for us until the latter stages of the race. After the restart following the safety car, the team made the perfect call to pit, which made it possible for us to rejoin for a fight to the podium. But, unfortunately we got a penalty. I accept the steward's judgement though I feel this was a racing incident. But, this does not change our fighting style in any way though it has hurt our bid for the championship."

Andre Lotterer, DEU
"This was a disappointing end to what started out as an optimistic one for the team. We had a good strategy despite the weight handicap and when the safety car came out towards the end, the team made the perfect call to pit and we managed to return to the race with the chance for a podium finish. Unfortunately, Juichi's overtaking move on a slower car was penalised, which I am a little bit concerned about as I feel that there was nothing wrong with it."

Masanori Sekiya, Team Director
“Both drivers and the crew did a fantastic job this weekend. Overall we managed to get a points finish out of what was a difficult race at the end. We felt we raced as per regulation and in the spirit of racing. We feel we did nothing wrong but have to accept the decision made by the race officials. It is done and we can only look forward to the next races as I believe having a pessimistic mind will not achieve anything. We are all now just focused on the fight for the championship."

日本語
Race Results
Team Standings
Driver Standings

For more on the team, visit the team's site at http://36toms.com/ Gazoo Racing: GAZOO RACING : http://gazoo.com/racing/Top/Top.aspx
For more on the Super GT championship, visit http://supergt.net