Autobacs 2009 SuperGT Round 4

The roaring engines, the flaming exhausts and not to forget, the ambassadors of the Super GT is back in Malaysia for the 2009 Autobacs SuperGT Round 4 held in our home circuit, Sepang International Circuit in Sepang. The Official SuperGT Ambassadors were already here in Malaysia for the whole month to promote the event with road shows being held all around the country. Sana Yuki and Nana Shibata, the 2 selected ambassadors for the inaugural Round 4 of the Autobacs SuperGT.

I've been given the opportunity to cover the event in SIC by my fellow photographer friend "Bugger" and Jerry, more to cover the support event, the Aston Martin Cup. The SuperGT cars arrived Sepang on Thursday, where unpacking take place at the pit area. A very busy morning till late afternoon. Teams unpack and prepare the pit garage and pit lanes with refueling rigs, impact wrenches, tool kits, tyres, and more importantly, the car!

As usual, the main attraction to the event was the SuperGT ambassadors, like Sana & Nana, the official ambassadors, as well as the team Race Queens. The grandstands were filled with spectators on raceday. Some of which have passes to the Pit Walk. Some of which, also have acquired themselves the Circuit Safari where they ride in a bus on the track with the superGT cars doing their flying laps around the track.

The circuit was wet in the morning and it started to rain just before the race started. The track started to dry up just before race start. Unlike the practice and qualifying sessions, the track was wet and it rained cats & dogs.

At the starting grid lineup, there was an opening window of approximately 30 minutes for the paddock and sic hospitality guests to walk around and snap some photos of the cars with the drivers and race queens.

Round 4 of the Autobacs SuperGT held in Sepang International Circuit was won by No. 3 Team Hasemi Tomica Ebbro GT-R in the GT500 class while the No. 2 I.M. Jihan Co. Ltd Apple Shiden driven by Hiroki Katoh and Hiroki Yoshimoto took the winners podium for the GT300 class. 

36 Team Petronas Tom's SC430 driven by drivers Jyuichi Wakisaka and Andre Lotterer finished 6th in the GT500 class.

A great weekend at the track and hope to see more of this event to come in the future. Till next year!