LEXUS TEAM PETRONAS TOM’S
2009 Super GT Series, Round 7
Fuji Speedway. Fuji GT 300km race
12 - 13 September 2009

Weather: Cloudy and wet (qualifying) / Sunny and dry on race day
Qualifying - cloudy and wet | 17 - 18°C (ambient), 19 - 20°C (track)
Raceday - Sunny and dry | 27°C (ambient), 42°C (track)
Race Format: 300km, 4.563km x 66 laps

Qualifying
The weekend kicked off in unpredictable conditions with rain and overcast conditions during Saturday's qualifying session. With a return to the regular qualifying format, the team were able to qualifying through the first session for the time attack in the Super Lap session. The damp conditions seemed suitable for light rain tyres, but the team opted for heavy rain tyres so as to allow the tyres to reach its optimum temperature quicker, especially under the conditions. Taking on the responsibility for the time attack was German Andre Lotterer, the decision proved a crucial one as the team were able to set the third fastest time, qualifying top amongst the LEXUS SC430s.

Raceday
In a reverse of conditions from Saturday's qualifying, sunny conditions dominated raceday.  Taking the opportunity of the 30-minute morning warm up session to set the car up for the dry conditions, the team had to also select the tyres from the Brigdestone selection.

As the starting driver, Andre Lotterer was able to produce a great start to take the inside line of the pole-sitting Epson NSX car and the lead of the race. Though he conceded the lead on lap 25, the team's quick pit stop that was 6 seconds faster than the leader's allowed the No. 36 PETRONAS TOM'S Car to rejoin in first. However, burdened by the weight handicap, it did not take long for the NSX to catch the No. 36 car.

After taking over from Andre Lotterer, Juichi Wakisaka tried to maintain his track position though the threat of the NISMO GT-R loomed closer as the two cars jostled for position on track. An overtaking move two laps to the end by the No. 1 NISMO car into the final corner saw the two cars touch, forcing Wakisaka to run wide and lose his second position. The situation was an almost reverse situation from the team's outing at the Suzuka race last month, which led to a penalty for the team. Despite a protest by the team for the incident with the No. 1 NISMO car, the claim was rejected by race officials.

Juichi Wakisaka (JPN)
"This weekend was the exact reverse situation for us from the Suzuka 700km race. We were penalised for something I felt was a lot less and yet this time, I do not understand why our protest was not accepted. After the incident at Suzuka and here in Fuji this weekend, I feel some doubts over the race organisation. Anyhow, this does not mean that we will give up. It means that we will have to double our efforts and put in everything we have for the two remaining races!"

Andre Lotterer (DEU)
"I think my teammate and the entire team did a great job here this weekend. Finishing third and on the podium is good as we were able to collect points. However, it was not great either as I feel we were in an unfortunate situation this time. I have some doubts over the decisions from race control over the incident with the GT-R. Whatever it is, we have to accept the decision. We still have two more races and will keep on challenging to the end."

Masanori Sekiya, Team Director
"In terms of speed, the LEXUS car loses out quite a bit, particularly in the third sector here at Fuji. We could have finished second here but lost it after an incident with the NISMO car. We agreed to protest the situation as we received a penalty for something similar at Suzuka. Unfortunately, our protest was rejected and we regret the decision. Despite this, our challenge for the title is not over yet and we will definitely do our best!"

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