A GT-R One Two at Sepang

The drivers from the Calsonic IMPUL GT-R, Tsugio Matsuda and Ronnie Quintarelli, took the win at the Round 4 of the Autobacs SuperGT International Series in Sepang International Circuit, Malaysia last weekend, claiming the win in the GT500 series and overall winners, with a total time of 1:50'54.084.

Team Calsonic IMPUL won the converted EBBRO Pole Position trophy which they gained in the Super Lap Qualifying session on Saturday, placing them first on the starting grid. Initially, the team had difficulties with this season's new 3.4L power plant in the GT-R, and with their strong teamwork and combined forces, led them to the finish line in first.

Tsugio Matsuda mentioned in a post race interview, that he felt that the race was doubtful for a win, but they have managed it with a good combination of speed with his fellow driver, Ronnie Quintarelli and the ever hardworking team members and Team Manager, Hoshino, who gave them a chance at the winter test despite the tight finances.

His teammate, Ronnie Quintarelli, added that nothing can beat this feeling of having won the race, with Tsugio and the team all worked very hard for this achievement.

The second place winner in the GT500 category was secured by the Motul Autech GT-R drivers, Satoshi Motoyama and Benoit Treluyer, completing the the race in 1:51'07.417, whilst Takashi Kogure and Loic Duval brought their Weider HSV-010 to the finish line in third, completing the top three finishers of the GT500 category with a total time of 1:51'10.757.

M7 RE-Amemiya Racing of Mutiara Motors secured their win here at Sepang International Circuit in the GT300 category recording a total time of 1:52'09.593.

Ryo Orime from the M7 RE-Amemiya Mutiara Motors Racing Team expressed his gratitude to our local Malaysian Sponsors, Mutiara Motors, who came out to give their full support last weekend and he is happy to give them this victory in return.

"Trouble developed in our suspensions in the last seven laps, so I had to avoid the curbing, and that slowed my pace by almost 2 seconds per lap. Actually, it was a miracle that I was able to make it to the finish", he added.

The second spot in the GT300 race category went to ARTA Garaiya's Morio Nitta and Shinichi Takagi, 27.625" behind the leader, with Takuto Iguchi and Yuji Kunimoto from the Corolla Axio APR GT team completing the top three finishers with a total lap time of 1:53"00.939.

This year marks the 10th edition of the SuperGT International Series since it was firstly held here at Sepang International Circuit back in 1999. The teams will be heading back to Japan for the Round 5 of this series to be held at the Sugo Circuit from 24-25 July 2010.

More pictures at my flickr site.