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AMERICA!
Last week we visited Suzuka, Japan, and saw very exciting race for both classes, what was decided by consistansy, with many mistakes.
Traffic was issue for both classes, and now as we head to tight, and short circuit, you can expect it to be even bigger issue. Winner has to get good feeling and momentum for the race, time pitstops well and hope bit of luck with traffic.
Couple drivers have had great start to their championship-campaigns, some need big result to restart their season.
Gr2
Honda returned winning ways, as G4 Rotary took win from pole. It was not straight forward though, as many drivers behind him were faster, but he kept the car on the road unlike others, and now is in lead of the championship. Honda was running 1-2 for first half of the race, de-luck4 even took lead after first pitstops. Accident while lapping backmarker eventually dropped him down the field, and finished 6th. Championship leader G4 Rotary now has heaviest car, but is optimistic ahead of the race in his favorite track, were he won in Season 9, so he is one to watch yet again: ''The race will be decided by who deals with the traffic the best and who can create a strategy around that''. Last season he lead half the race, but ended up 3rd after pitstop error. de-luck4 has least heaviest car in the class right now, and his speed was good last weekend, and he enjoys Laguna Seca. If he can have clean race, he will contend for podium, or even win.
Lexus might not have won this time, but second place by Hatton93 was excellent results. There was potential for more though, but couple mistakes cost him dear. Round 1 winner Spookyluki was struggled in Japan, and finished 5th. More positive ahead of this weekend though: ''It's gonna be a challenge of not getting caught up in traffic or getting damage, so I probably won't be the fastest but I may be the most consistent''. Both cars should contend atleast for podium this weekend.
Honda went to Suzuka with small expectations, but ended up with solid 3rd and 4th, maybe potential for the win without mistakes: ''Podium was a surprise, but overall race was disappointment for us both, because we had keys to win the race with either car, but silly mistakes cost us.'' said sota59 who took his second podium of the year. Last seasons champion jonimestari91 has not been on podium this season yet, but has one of the lightest cars as a results. sota59 hopes to repeat his victory from last season, but his teammate might be man to beat.
Gr3
Porsche been the team to beat in Gr3 for several seasons now, and they opened their win-account for this season as y_bearr_ won in Suzuka. Started from pole, almost lost the lead in opening laps, fell to second after first stops, but strategy worked and found himself in the lead in last couple laps, to take his first GT-MES win. That form might carry out to Laguna Seca, with consistansy will be key: ''The car feels good, not as fast as i expected, but consistent. Podium still possible''. NS_Mika_46 had to miss last weekends race, but should be back for Round 3.
Mazda was strongest car in Round 1, and they continued their strong form in Japan, with double podium. RLH_Wesley99 got to start this time without technical issues, and even challenged for the lead in opening laps. But there was contact, damage meant that he was jumped during first pitstops, and was running from behind for most of the race. osully14 instead took the lead after first pitstops and held it for while, but lost out in the end, and was in the end overtaken by his teammate and had to settle for third. This results keeps him in the championship lead though, has heaviest car as a result, but still expect good race: ''Keep the consistency going. Car is feeling heavy now with ballast but confident of a good result''. RLH_Wesley, who won here last season: ''Hoping to get some good points again, not my favourite track but I think I can get a podium''.
Audi has not maybe had start to the season they had hoped for, but everything is still possible. Ryslan Zharinov had to retire from podium battle last weekend due technical issues, while Nils again had big crash, but managed to recover to 4th place. 3-time champion, who won in Laguna Seca is hopeful of better luck: ''I'm hoping, and I mean I'm really hoping, this weekend will be an improvement compared to the last 2 weeks. Laguna Seca is easily my least favorite track of the calendar, especially after last season, but I had a good GT500 race there a couple of weeks ago, so I'm hoping this can be repeated tomorrow''. Zharinov in other car is hoping for clean race, and finish the race, unlike last weekend.
Ferrari had weekend to forget, GTS_BOCA_SAFFA that had started the season with podium, could not start the race and GTO250GTO finishing 5th after struggling.
German is more optimistic ahead of Laguna Seca though: ''I like Laguna Seca so I'm moderately optimistic, which doesn't mean much because I lack pace''. If no technical issues for his teammate, you can see GTS_BOCA_SAFFA fighting for the win.
BMW struggled, amuda74 could not start the race, John Wanderin made his debut but finished far behind others, and had some accidents, earning him penalty for this weekend. amuda74 was fast last season here, so he could surprise us here.
