  36 Castrol TOM'S SUPRA  TOYOTA Castrol TEAM
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The All Japan Grand Touring Car Championship (GTC) is a domestic championship series held in Japan under authorization of the Japan Automobile Federation (JAF), which is the official body that oversees Japanese motorsports. As the name indicates, machines competing in the GTC series are of the Grand Touring cars, including both Japanese and foreign models. In the 1997 season cars such as the SKYLINE GT-R, SUPRA GT, NISSAN 300ZX, HONDA NSX, MAZDA RX-7, FERRARI F355, LAMBORGHINI DIABLO, PORSCHE 911GT-2 and RSR, RENAULT SPORT SPIDER, etc. competed for the title. The cars competing in the GTC series are specially tuned according to N-GT technical regulations provided by the JAF and divided into two classes ; GT 500 and GT 300 (numerical figures represent approximate engine horsepower). The main concept of the regulations is to create a balance for optimum performance by means of power/weight ratios. Similar to the regulations of FIA and Le Mans, power is controlled by the utilization of air restrictors. The distance of a single GTC race is approximately 300km, and each car must make a pit stop to change drivers and refuel. The top three finishers of both classes are required to add a handicap weight load to their cars for the following race. GTC races are held at six different circuits; Suzuka (Round 1), Fuji (Round 2 & 4), Sendai (Round 3), Mine (Round 5) and Sugo (Round 6). Following the six championship races, a GT All-Star Race is held (circuit venue to be announced at a later date). The entrants for this special race are selected from the winners of the series events and the teams elected by the fans. Just like the Le Mans 24 hours race, the teams participating in GTC series are composed of both top professional and amateur drivers. For the series in the 1997 season, drivers will include Kazuyoshi Hoshino, Masahiro Hasemi, Masanori Sekiya and ex-Formula One drivers Erik Comas, Olivier Grouillard, Bertrand Gachot and Pole Bermondo. As for the spectators, the GTC is considered the most important national race series in Japan, and every event is supported by the attendance of a huge number of fans. |
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