Lexus RC F-Powered PETRONAS TOM Team Emerges As Winner in Round 6 of 2014 AUTOBACS Super GT 500 Series
06 Sep 2014
Team’s triumph at the longest race of the series continues Lexus RC F’s dominant performance this season
Dubai, UAE, September 7, 2014 – The PETRONAS TOM racing team of Kazuki Nakajima and James Rossiter driving their #36 Lexus RC F clinched their first victory of the season at Round 6 of the 2014 AUTOBACS Super GT series (GT500 class) held at the Suzuka Circuit in Japan last week. PETRONAS TOM’s impressive win - the third first-place finish of the season for Lexus RC F - continues the outstanding performance by Lexus vehicles which have dominated the action so far this year. The International Suzuka 1000 km race with its longstanding tradition was held for the 43rd time this year. Competed over a distance of 1,000 km, this is the SUPER GT series' longest race and the toughest race on the annual GT schedule.
“This is a truly commendable victory. That the team was able to navigate the tough conditions at the circuit and hold firm until the finish line in what was the longest race of the series, is a testament to both the skill of the PETRONAS TOM drivers and the outstanding performance and durability of the Lexus RC F,” said Takayuki Yoshitsugu, Chief Representative, Middle East and North Africa Representative Office, TOYOTA Motor Corporation. “Lexus is seeking to move into a higher gear and enhance our proven high-performance identity, and we are constantly striving to push the boundaries of what is possible in order to deliver exceptional power and performance in our vehicles. Our consistent good showing at the Super GT series confirms that we are moving in the right direction.”
Speaking on the occasion, Kazuki Nakajima said, “I was able to get us pole position in the qualification race, but I still didn’t feel certain that we could win on race day. However, we were able to run according to our strategy and that brought us a better result than I had expected. For James and for me, this is our first Suzuka 1,000km victory and I am really happy at having achieved this result. Having set the fastest lap of the race and kept firm control of our lead in the important first lap after our pit stop, and then in the end being able to run his two stints without trouble, today was really James’ day.”
James Rossiter said, “I felt felt very good during the race. During my first stint I had some trouble with traffic that made for some hard going, but in my second stint we had managed to put some distance between us and our rivals, but I still kept pushing hard. I am grateful to the Lexus staff for preparing such a good car for us and to Bridgestone for preparing us some great tires. Our strategy was to not try to save fuel and finish the race in five stints but to push hard all the way and run a full six stints, and to be honest, I was not hoping for anything more than a podium finish. I feel great that we ended up getting the win.”
Starting at pole, the PETRONAS TOM team jumped into an early lead. From lap two to lap four, PETRONAS TOM driver James Rossiter recorded the three consecutive fastest laps to open up a gap over his second placed rival. After a few more lead changes, the PETRONAS TOM RC F eventually ran on to victory with a big lead at the end of the 173-lap race.
Round 7 of the 2014 AUTOBACS Super GT series will take place on October 5, 2014 in Thailand.