Nissan MIDDLE EAST

-- SUPER GT 2011 Round 4 Race Report --

Dubai, United Arab Emirates (2August, 2011) - Round 4 of the 2011 SUPER GT season took place at Sportsland SUGO (Murata-cho, Miyagi prefecture) over the July 30-31 weekend. Starting from pole position, the #46 S-Road MOLA GT-R (Masataka Yanagida/Ronnie Quintarelli) took a commanding win after decimating the competition with a lights-to-flag victory in what is only the team’s fourth event since debuting in the GT500 class. In addition, it was the third win for the NISSAN GT-R after four rounds run so far this season. Yanagida and Quintarelli were vaulted to the top of the Driver’s rankings - and the MOLA team now sits atop the teams standings as well.

After coming 2nd in the previous event at Sepang, the #46 GT-R arrived at SUGO saddled with 42kgs’ success ballast onboard, and wasn’t expected to be a threat in the qualifying sessions on Saturday, July 30th. However, the car topped the timesheets in the morning’s opening session. Super Lap was held in steadily increasing rain, making the final runner Quintarelli’s run doubly impressive when he snatched pole position.

In the #46 GT-R, Quintarelli took the start. Quintarelli remained in command throughout his stint, handing over to teammate Yanagida after 39 laps in the lead. Yanagida stayed out front during his time in the car, increasing the gap to the rest of the field to a massive 28-second advantage until slowing slightly in the final stages. After 68 laps, the 2nd-placed machine was 20 seconds in arrears as the #46 GT-R ran a perfect race, leading every lap. The car also recorded the race’s fastest lap.

NISMO Team Director Yutaka Suzuki’s comment:
"Benoit’s times were a result of a less-than-perfect set up with the tyres, and meant he couldn’t move up. After switching to Satoshi, we tried to give chase, but couldn’t put our weak qualifying performance behind us. However, our tyre test at Suzuka a few days ago gives us reason to feel optimistic about our chances for victory there in the upcoming 500kms.

#46 GT-R driver Ronnie Quintarelli’s comment:
"I felt it was a long race. The car was perfect right from the opening lap and I was able to push as much as I liked. Though that doesn’t mean there wasn’t any insecurity as I was steadily losing grip through the final corner - and that was a little startling! I also hadn’t ever done such a long stint on this rubber, but the performance to the end allowed us to achieve this record. I’d like to thank everybody for their continued support."

#46 GT-R driver Masataka Yanagida’s comment:
"To win in GT500 makes me incredibly happy. This victory also gives us confidence, something we’d like to carry into the next race. Ronnie ran a superb pace throughout his stint, giving me the relatively simple job of protecting the lead he built up. Though that’s not to say there wasn’t any pressure. We want to carry this momentum for a good result at Suzuka.