Subaru BRZ GT300 starts far behind but catches top cars to finish 5th

The Subaru BRZ GT300 has to start round 7 in the 22nd position. How did they claw their way back at the finish?

The SUPER GT, the most popular car racing series in Japan and was held in Thailand for the first time this past weekend. This is the 3rd year that the Subaru BRZ takes to the circuit. The team has been in the hunt all year and finished 5th in this race at the Pre-Ram United Circuit. But they had to overcome some major setbacks to finish this high.

BRZ GT300 qualifies 2nd

This is the seventh round of the SUPER GT series and the #61 Subaru BRZ GT300 had to overcome big odds to get back in the hunt this past weekend. The team qualified second and was fast again, but die to a technical issue in the vehicle inspection they were bumped to the 22nd position to start the race. But the Subaru BRZ was able to charge the leaders and nearly caught up after the races 61 laps.

Iguchi pushes the BRZ hard to catch up

Iguchi was the driver who started the first half of the race, and was able to gain ground on the leaders after starting in the 22nd position. He overtook 12 cars to move into 10th position after just 15 laps. After the BRZ pitted on lap 33 and a driver change, Sasaki was able to catch up to the top cars after pushing the BRZ sports car hard. He passed 5 more cars in the final and was able to finish the race in 5th position.

STI feels they could have won

The team was disappointed after qualifying so high, and felt they could have won this race. Tatsumi general director of the STI team said after the race, “Because we had so far to catch up, it was difficult to catch the top cars. But Iguchi was able to continue to pass one after another vehicle in front from the beginning and the car was running well. It was a difficult challenge to be sure and we finished strong. After our qualifying time was erased, we had to change our tactics for this race.”

BRZ GT300 is 5th overall in points

The #61 BRZ GT300 finished fifth in round 7 at Pre-Ram United Circuit after starting in the 22nd position. The team pushed hard but couldn’t overcome starting so far back in the pack. The Subaru BRZ GT300 team is in 5th position overall in the point standings with one more race to go. Next up is Round 8 of the SUPER GT and it will take place at the Twin Ring Motegi on November 15-16. Stay tuned to Torque News for the latest 2015 Subaru BRZ news.

Other Subaru BRZ GT300 stories of interest.
Subaru BRZ GT300 has roughest day yet at Suzuka Circuit