Since its launch as the All-Japan GT Championship in 1994 (becoming Super GT in 2005), the popular series had gone from strength to strength. Motul is a long and loyal partner in this highly competitive arena through its successful technical partnerships with different teams, beginning with NISMO in 2003 and expanding to others subsequently.
In 2017, up to 45 cars would compete in each of the eight rounds, with the entries being split between two classes: the 600bhp+ GT500 category and the huge, multi-marque GT300 class. Top two-driver line-ups feature up and down the grid, and the races attract more than 400,000 spectators per year – it’s loud, impressive and the drivers are absolute heroes to their adoring fans! Super GT opened its door for the season on 8th/9th April in Okayama.
Motul says its involvement has been successful and beneficial both on and off track, notching up no fewer than seven championship titles in the last 13 years, including those in the last four years with NISMO and Lexus. By working closely with all the Japanese manufacturers, Motul constantly upgrades and improves the lubricant technology available to its teams and ultimately to its consumers worldwide.
Once again, Motul is working closely with all the teams and manufacturers supported to develop special experimental engine oils, using a similar technology to the one in the company’s respected 300V Motorsport Line, which was developed specifically for competition use.
The Cars are the Stars…
Among the 2017 entries are GT500 factory teams from Japanese manufacturers Nissan, Toyota and Honda, all partnered by Motul. Mugen (Honda), one of motor racing’s best known names, is making a spectacular return to Super GT alongside Nissan NISMO and Toyota with some of Japan’s best known racing names behind the wheel.
Defending GT500 champions, Lexus Team SARD, would be on the grid again representing Toyota, together with Lexus Team TOM’S, Lexus Team KeePer TOM’S and Lexus Team Zent Cerumo – all challenging with the LC500 that dominated the recent pre-season test session. Multiple champions Motul Autech heads the NISMO GT-R charge, supported by KONDO Racing and MOLA, while Team MUGEN would field the Motul Mugen NSX GT (pictured).
In the GT300 class, six cars would receive technical support from Motul, including the Subaru BRZ of the R&D SPORT team, three Nissan GT-Rs and two Toyota RC F GT3s.
Few of the championships in which Motul is involved are as fruitful on such a regular basis as the highly competitive Super GT series. With such teams sporting the company’s familiar red and white logo this year, Motul believes there is little doubt that 2017 would yield further successes.
