LATEST NEWS Nissan GT-Rs dominate the podium at Suzuka

SUZUKA CITY, Japan (September 08, 2021)– The Nissan GT-R NISMO GT500 achieved a clean sweepof the podium at round 3 of the SUPER GT held at Suzuka Circuit recently making it a dayworth celebrating for all Nissan fans.

Although a chance of rain had been forecast, the race began with blue skies peering through theclouds and in the early stages the #23 GT-R of Ronnie Quintarelli and #24 GT-R driven by DaikiSasaki maintained their positions in 3rd and 4th. At the same time the #3 GT-R and the #12 GT-Reach gained a position and from that point on all the GT-Rs steadily moved further up the order asthe race unfolded.

At the mid-point of the race, after all the GT-Rs had completed their pit stops, the #3 GT-R hadsuccessfully undercut the field and took the race lead with the #12 GT-R following in 2nd, and the#23 GT-R now in 3rd.

However, Tsugio Matsuda in the #23 GT-R then fervently pursued the #12 GT-R and slippedpassed in lap 30 lap to move up to 2nd. From there he engaged in a fierce chase of the leading#3 GT-R, closing the gap with each lap, and catching him at the chicane in lap 41 to take the lead.

The #23 GT-R then went on to take its first win of the season, and the GT-Rs achieved a cleanpodium sweep with the #3 in second, and the #24 GT-R, which had temporarily dropped to 6thbut fought its way back, following in 3rd. The #12 GT-R also finished in 6th to see all GT-Rs finishin the top 6.

This victory was Matsuda’s 23rd in the SUPER GT, setting a new record for the most wins in theseries. At the same time, the GT-R achieved its third consecutive win at Suzuka, following twowins last year, another new record in the SUPER GT.

Matsuda went on to say, “I really wanted to win on my home ground, so after Motegi, I workedhard on my physical condition and training for Suzuka. In the race, I felt that the car, the tires,and the team’s desire to win would really push me forward, so I really gave it my all. I really wantto express my gratitude to them. I think we are getting stronger as a whole, so I want to keepworking so that we get even stronger.”

In the GT300 class, five Nissan GT-R NISMO GT3s competed and, although the #56 Realize NissanAutomobile Technical College GT-R of Kiyoto Fujinami and Joao Paulo de Oliveira temporarilydropped down the order, they recovered to finish in 8th place. All other GT-Rs also completed the race.

The next round of the SUPER GT will be held at SPORTSLAND SUGO on September 12.