'06 machines conduct shakedown, Tests sees good performance from Z

(Thursday) was the scene of a three-day test at Suzuka Circuit, participants from the three manufacturers entered in this year's SUPER GT taking part. This was the first time for the '05 and '06 cars to run together at the circuit, with a total of 15 cars taking part in the test. From Nissan, Both NISMO entries ('06 models), as well as a test car, plus cars from TEAM IMPUL, Hsasemi Motorsports, and KONDO Racing (all '05 models).

Honda brought four cars, including a test mule, the ARTA and Takata Dome entries, and the RAYBRIG NSX. Toyota had its new-for-2006 SC430 in attendance; one from TOM'S, and undergoing its initial shakedown, the Cerumo and Team LeMans entries. Also running were the '05 model Supras of Tsuchiya Engineering and TEAM SARD.


Weather on the first day of the test was clear and dry, with the conditions remaining much the same for the morning of the second day. With one hour remaining in the afternoon however, the rain began to fall. It rained continuously on the third day, though the track surface remained wet throughout the day.

At this test, completing its objective to show speed was the Z. On the second day, in last year's car, the CALSONIC of Benoit Treluyer set a time of 1:53.11(unofficial, the same applies to below), beating both NISMO entries; the Xanavi car (#23) set a 1:53.17, while the sister MOTUL AUTECH machine (#22), clocked a 1:53.18. In Sepang, a whole host of drivers shared two cars, running stints.

This time all the Nissan teams brought in their cars and new pilots including Tsugio Matsuda and Sakon Yamamoto - and also those making the step up this season; Kazuki Hoshino, J.P. de Olivera and Naoki Yokomizo, who all appeared to be getting to grips with the new Z, despite the fact they had short runs due to the number of drivers using the cars in Sepang.

Meanwhile at Honda - The Takata Dome NSX never completed an attack run over the three days, still, the car setting a strong time of 1:54.01. However, in the previous test they were able to run at maximum speed. This time, the focus was on long runs and tire testing. Therefore, among the NSX runners, there remains some anxiety as to the full potential of the car. On the morning of the first day, the ARTA NSX went off at the second corner while the RAYBRIG machine had an off at turn one, sustaining major damage. It is thought the culprit was the power steering control, which the team was testing at the time.
As a result, both cars were withdrawn from the test on the first day.

Amid signs of promise from both the Z and NSX camps, there was a delay in progress for Toyota. Perhaps because apart from the TOM'S car (#36), all other SC430s carried out a shakedown this time. The Cerumo Car took the SC430 to a best time of 1:54.95, the Toyota camp appearing decidedly dejected with the result. The amount of development and potential they can get from the car between now and the opening race will be critical.

From now, there will be several tests from the tire makers and car makers. March 4th and 5th is the date of the Official GTA test, and on the weekend of the 18th and 19th, the second season of SUPER GT finally gets underway.