> Supra confirmed for all six events
TOYOTA GAZOO Racing has become the official Safety Car partner of Fanatec GT World Challenge Asia Powered by AWS.
The Supra conducted formation lap duties during Sepang’s season opener last month and will remain a permanent fixture of Asia’s only active continental series over the following five rounds, the next four of which take place in TOYOTA GAZOO Racing’s native Japan.
Indeed, the Fanatec Japan Cup ‘championship within a championship’ sees the Supra Safety Car joined on track by its GT4-spec counterpart, which is scheduled to compete at Suzuka, Fuji, Sugo and Okayama in the hands of Akiland Racing and Koshido Racing.
0-100kph in just 4.3 seconds and a restricted top speed of 250kph make the production model more than capable of keeping Fanatec GT World Challenge Asia Powered by AWS’s grid in check when it performs Safety Car procedures during two 60-minute races per round.
Benjamin Franassovici, Fanatec GT World Challenge Asia Powered by AWS General Manager: “With the championship very much focusing on Japan this year it was important to have an iconic name from the country’s legendary auto industry leading our entry. Few tick that box quite like the Supra, which also has the performance figures to back up its heritage. The Supra proved its credentials at Sepang and we now look forward to seeing it in action at this year’s remaining five events.”
Koji Sato, TOYOTA GAZOO Racing President: “We are delighted to be partnering with SRO Motorsports Group. The Fanatec GT World Challenge Asia Powered by AWS has made a significant contribution to the development of customer motorsport in Asia. TOYOTA GAZOO Racing also wants to actively contribute to the development of customer motorsport while continuing to aim for ‘making ever-better motorsports-bred cars’, and we are very grateful for the opportunity to support such a great series and contribute to the safe operation of the races.”
Suzuka hosts the first of back-to-back Fanatec GT World Challenge Asia Powered by AWS rounds on July 15-17 before teams and drivers move on to Fuji one week later. Events at Sugo and Okayama are then followed by the championship’s first-ever trip to Indonesia where the new Mandalika circuit hosts 2022’s season finale in October.