2014.02.05

2013 SUPER GT cars review Part 6 GT300 “FIA GT3 -2-”

 

OFF SEASON SPECIAL -6-

Unique FIA GT3 cars boosting excitements in the GT300 class

 

 

The series to look back at 2013 SUPER GT cars has come to its final edition. This edition will pick up four models from the FIA GT3 cars that contested strongly in the GT300 class. Fourth edition put a spotlight on the German and Japanese FIA GT3 cars, but there were also British, Italian, and American cars competing in the series.
Unfortunately, these four models could not pull off a win in the regular season races in 2013, but they showed performances at a high level in various places. Each had unique body design and engine sound and they sure boosted up the excitement in the GT300 class.

 

 

○McLaren MP4-12C GT3 [United Kingdom]

Rd.1 OKAYAMA  No.2 EVA RT TEST-01APPLE MP4-12C

 

Rd.8 MOTEGI  No.2 EVA RT TEST-01APPLE MP4-12C

 

2013 season marked the beginning of participation in SUPER GT for the McLaren MP4-12C. The car is designed and manufactured by McLaren from UK, a Formula One constructor which created McLaren F1-GTR that won the Le Mans 24 Hours as well as the GT500 class of SUPER GT. It is a super high performance car which a carbon monocoque is used in not only the GT3 version but also in the production model. The monocoque design allows the chassis to be quite stiff, giving advantage in cornering ability. But, on the other hand, it looked like it was left behind from other GT3 cars in terms of engine power. It suffered many unlucky accidents as well as minor problems in the first half of the season, however, eventually it was able to exert its best at the last of last Fuji Sprint Cup and grabbed a wing.

 

 

○Aston Martin V12 Vantage GT3 [United Kingdom]

Rd.1 OKAYAMA  No.50 Exe Aston Martin

 

Rd.6 FUJI  No.50 Exe Aston Martin

 

No.66 Aston Martin V12 Vantage that marked two wins in 2012 entered the 2013 season as No.50 car. This is the 2013 updated version. Although it suffered minor problems in the early part of the season, just like last year, it was able to show off its speed numerous times. Its suitability to a high-speed track was fairly well with the fat torque and power created by the powerful V12 engine, and at the Round 7 Autopolis where everything came together perfectly, it fought strong, leading the pack at one point during the race from the third grid at start and eventually managing to finish second in the class.

 

 

○Lamborghini GALLARDO GT3 [Italy]

Rd.1 OKAYAMA  No.88 ManePa LAMBORGHINI GT3

 

Rd.1 OKAYAMA  No.88 ManePa LAMBORGHINI GT3

 

Rd.6 FUJI  No.87 LA SEINE LAMBORGHINI GT3

 

Rd.8 MOTEGI  No.86 CrystalCroco LAMBORGHINI GT3

 

There were three LP560-4, know as Lamborghini Gallardo, competing in the series, but only No.88 car (GT3 FLS) was the 2013 model and other two were the 2012 model (LP600+). Characteristics of the 2013 model in its appearance is the different design around the front nose. To address the understeering issue, the car is fitted with wider front tires and that also made the fenders to expand out. Large ducts were added just underneath the windshield for letting the air out. This installation of air ducts came along with the switch to a radiator with larger capacity to solve the problem it had with the heat, which was a weak point of the car. However, what Gallardo struggled with in the real battle was fuel efficiency. Due to this, there were many instances where even if the car was running in the top group in the early part of a race, it took a long time in refueling and consequently dropping behind from the top group.

 

 

○Callaway CORVETTE Z06R GT3 [USA]

Rd.2 FUJI  No.96 DIJON WAKO'S ENDLESS Z06R GT3

 

Rd.2 FUJI  No.96 DIJON WAKO'S ENDLESS Z06R GT3

 

This Chevrolet Corvette Z06R competed as No.48 car in 2012. No updates were done for 2013 and the 2012 model participated in three events. Tune up for the GT3 specification is taken up by renowned Callaway. Naturally aspirated V8 with a huge displacement of 7000cc exerts a true American GT power. It doesn’t have any aerodynamics appendage like German and Japanese cars and it appears to be conservative in pursuing body form like seen in British cars. It seems to favor high-speed tracks given the bodyline that looks to have less drag and the powerful torque, but it was not able to demonstrate its real potential on the circuits in Japan perhaps.

 

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