Even though the Subaru BRZ GT300 qualified 7th and finished in 11th place in the final round of SUPER GT, there was a big honor given to the team.
The Subaru BRZ GT300 finished the last race at Twin Ring Motegi in 11th place, but the disappointing season ends with a big surprise. Even though the BRZ GT300 race car qualified in 7th place and finished 11th in the final round for SUPER GT, R & D Sport who manages the race team for Subaru took home a high award.
It’s called the ZF Award and it’s given to the mechanics who have exhibited phenomenal performance during one of the races during the season. With the season ended after the final round eight, the SUPER GT announced the best mechanics of the year award and it goes to Subaru’s GT300 class’ #61 Subaru BRZ R & D Sport team.
Why did Subaru take home the award? The team of mechanics pulled off an an impossible feat during round 4. Prior to the race, the BRZ GT300 was practicing at Sportsland SUGO on July 25. The BRZ’s fuel line ignited and the race car sustained extensive damage and frantic repairs were made by the mechanics in order for the BRZ to get ready. The repairs were completed just in time and the BRZ GT300 qualified in 10th position for round four of the SUPER GT at Fuji Speedway.
Subaru’s mechanics worked day and night without stopping to remake the BRZ to get the car ready for race week in just under two weeks. Their incredible effort in addition to their error-free pit work during the race contributed to a commendable 8th place finish. Eiji Tatsumi, general director of the BRZ team was proud of the work the whole team did leading up to the race and how they overcame difficulties during the race. He said, “It’s a high honor for the Subaru BRZ GT300 R & D Sport team to have been chosen for the ZF Award for Best Mechanics of the Year.”
Media source: Subaru Global Motorsports