KCMG joined Nissan’s records this Saturday (21) at Fuji Speedway as the Hong Kong team brought the first international race win of the new iteration of the Nissan GT-R GT3 at home soil, with Yukinori Taniguchi and Alexandre Imperatori delivering it with prowess against the tough opposition of the Blancpain GT Asia Series. A home show at Fuji saw Japanese wins in almost all classes racing there.
Protecting the lead on Fuji Speedway’s main straight is the toughest of the jobs but the No. 23 KCMG Nissan proved that this is possible, and while most of the field went safely past turn one, the No. 911 CRAFT-Bamboo Porsche found the way to the grass and the barrier after a tap, what brought a localized yellow flag.
Edoardo Liberati secured the lead for the No. 23 during a good time, but trying to get rid of the GT4 backmarkers, he left the door open to the No. 19 FFF Lamborghini to take the lead, though Dennis Lind didn’t have a smooth run as Liberati was keeping the pressure. The No. 18 KCMG Nissan was holding third place as it was being hunted down by a big pack, and the same inability to handle traffic cost not only the third place, but also fourth and fifth as the door was left open.
KCMG was holding the lead with both Nissans but some mistakes of Florian Strauss in the No. 23 one left the door open for the No. 27 HubAuto Ferrari to take second place. The fight for second was enough for the No. 18 to open a gap of five seconds and secure the lead. Jono Lester in the No. 27 was then isolated in second place while the No. 23 was busy trying to get away of the opposition that was chasing third place, with the No. 19 FFF Lamborghini specially close to the Nissan.
The final minutes had Alexandre Imperatori in cruise mode, taking care of his lead in the No. 18 Nissan without pushing it too hard as the gap to the No. 27 Ferrari was good enough to not cause problems, winning the race overall and in the Pro-Am Cup. With the No. 19 FFF Lamborghini being outpaced by the No. 999 GruppeM Mercedes, the No. 23 KCMG Nissan completed the overall podium.
KCMG also conquered Am Cup honors with the No. 45 Audi of Takuya Shirasaka and Naoto Takeda despite the threat of a penalty, and to complete the Japanese home party, Team Studie won the GT4 class with the No. 81 BMW of Sunako Jukuchou and Takayuki Kinoshita.
Race 2 will be held this Sunday at 12:50 A.M. on local time.
PHOTO: KCMG
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