DOHA: Toyota started off the 2018 AUTOBACS SUPER GT 300 series recently with a bang thanks to an astounding victory and a thrilling podium finish at Okayama International Circuit.
UPGARAGE 86 MC, driven by Yuhki Nakayama and Takashi Kobayashi, won the race, while HOPPY 86 MC co-piloted by Takamitsu Matsui and Sho Tsuboi finished third in the tightly-fought opening round of the new season.
“We would like to congratulate the teams for an excellent start and exceptional performance in the opening round of the season,” said Yugo Miyamoto, Chief Representative of Middle East & North Africa Representative Office, Toyota Motor Corporation.
“At Toyota, we believe that racing events such as the AUTOBACS SUPER GT series are an opportunity to not only test the mettle of our performance machines and leading technologies, but also to guide the future development of Toyota vehicles, as we continue to make ‘ever-better’ cars. I would like to take this opportunity to thank our fans for their support and constant encouragement for our racing initiatives.”
At the start of the GT300 class race held at Okayama International Circuit, the No. 88 rival team held the lead, followed by the No. 11 and the No. 21 competitor teams. But tightly-fought battles ensued as No. 25 HOPPY 86 MC, with Sho Tsuboi at the wheel, joined the competition for the top four positions, showing off its superior performance.
As the leading No. 88 gradually began to fall off the pace, No. 11 managed to pass it on the hairpin of lap nine and Sho Tsuboi in the No. 25 HOPPY 86 MC also managed to get by No. 88 on the tenth lap.
