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Mugen Motorsports

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M-TEC Company, Ltd. , doing business as Mugen Motorsports (無限), is a Japanese company formed in 1973 by Hirotoshi Honda , the son of Honda Motor Company founder Soichiro Honda , and Masao Kimura. Mugen, meaning "without limit", "unlimited" or "vast", (hence the commonly placed word "power" after, denoting "unlimited power") is an engine tuner and parts manufacturer that manufactures OEM parts such as body kits and sports exhausts for Honda. Despite the family relationship, Mugen is not and has never been owned by Honda Motor Company; however, Mugen owner Hirotoshi Honda has been the biggest shareholder in Honda since his father's death in 1991.

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96-569: The company tunes and races Honda vehicles in the Super GT championship, and, additionally, sells aftermarket parts to amateur enthusiasts. It was part of partnerships that won the Formula 3000 championship in 1990 and 1991, and that eventually led to Mugen's involvement in Formula One , from 1992 to 2000, and up to 2005 was the exclusive supplier of Formula Nippon engines. The company has

192-567: A 6th-place finish in the Constructors Championship. With Prost establishing a relationship with Peugeot and switching to them from 1998 onwards, Mugen looked for a new partner and reached a two-year agreement with Jordan Grand Prix for which Mugen produced the MF301HC engine. The first half of the 1998 season was an absolute disaster; it was so bad that at one point Mugen officials met with Eddie Jordan and his team during

288-577: A V10, but as a turbo-diesel . A variant of the Volkswagen Phaeton was the first production sedan to contain a V10 of any kind. Examples of petrol V10 production engines include: One of the first known V10 engines designed for motor racing was a 3.5 L (214 cu in) prototype Formula One engine built by Alfa Romeo in 1986. Originally intended for the Ligier Formula One team, this partnership collapsed without

384-488: A V8 would produce insufficient power and a V12 would be too complicated or bulky. V10s have been used in select luxury cars, sports cars and commercial vehicles. An early V10 petrol engine was used in the 1987 Lamborghini P140 , however this prototype sports car did not reach production. Dodge developed an early V10, originally designing a version of its LA series small block for use in trucks. The Dodge engine saw its first production use in substantially revised form in

480-458: A few teams were penalised after the race ended when race officials discovered their pit stops came one lap before the mandatory window had opened. Perhaps the best-known performance balancing system in use in the Super GT is its Success Ballast system, also known as Success Weight and formerly referred to as "weight handicap". Weight penalties are assigned depending on a car's performance during

576-573: A further change to the rules, V10s were banned for the 2006 season onwards in favor of 2.4 L V8s. In sports car racing, the first V10 engine was used by the Peugeot 905 in the two final races of the 1990 season . This was followed by the Judd GV10 engine being used by several teams during the 1991 season and the Toyota TS010 that debuted in the last race of the season. The Audi R15 TDI

672-465: A managerial role upon his retirement in 2004. Other drivers who were famously associated with the series and still are actively involved in Super GT through team ownership are Masahiro Hasemi , Kazuyoshi Hoshino , Aguri Suzuki , and Kunimitsu Takahashi , with the latter being a former President of the GT Association, which runs the series. The series also attracts drivers who see the series as

768-850: A race during the 2005 season at the Shanghai International Circuit in China , in addition to the existing overseas round at Sepang in Malaysia . However, holding the series in more than two countries would have meant the JGTC would lose its status as a "national championship" under the International Sporting Code of the FIA , and therefore could not keep "Japanese Championship" in its name. The series would instead be classified as an "international championship" by

864-422: A rarity in top-level circuit racing, are further examples of unique GT300 machines. They competed in their original configurations until the early 2000s, when FWD cars were being permitted to be converted to rear-wheel drive configuration. The FWD cars were mostly unsuccessful, failing to win any championships, although a Celica won a race in 1999 after a Porsche 911 was disqualified. Rear-wheel drive cars dominated

960-488: A respectable 5th in the Constructors Championship. The following season with Ligier resulted in Mugen's first Formula One victory as well as Ligier's last Formula One victory at the 1996 Monaco Grand Prix with Panis at the wheel. Despite this unexpected success, the Mugen powered Ligier car only scored three more points finishes during the rest of the season two 6th-place finishes from Diniz and one 5th-place finish from Panis;

1056-407: A single race in particular), the handicap system was changed in 2009 to combat sandbagging , discouraging a team from intentionally performing poorly in order to secure a more favorable weight handicap. The ballast is now halved in the penultimate race and lifted altogether in the final race for teams that participated in every round of the season. Teams missing only one round receive halved-ballast in

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1152-603: A single specification of car. After some delays, technical regulations were fully aligned in 2020, with the GT500 category fully adopting Class One specifications. By 2021 however, DTM switched to a Group GT3 series due to massive manufacturer exodus. Super GT maintained the current technical regulations for GT500, though the "Class 1" moniker would no longer be used. Super GT races take place on well-known Japanese race tracks such as Fuji Speedway , Suzuka Circuit , and Mobility Resort Motegi . The series also races at Autopolis in

1248-417: A stepping-stone to Formula One such as Ralf Schumacher and Pedro de la Rosa , as well as former F1 drivers, most famously Érik Comas , who was the series' most successful driver until he stepped down from his position as a number one driver, and 2016 champion Heikki Kovalainen . After a one-off appearance in 2017, 2009 F1 world champion Jenson Button drove for Team Kunimitsu in 2018 and 2019, winning

1344-683: A strong racing heritage, as Hirotoshi Honda began building his own racing car in a workshop at his father's house, shortly before he graduated from Nihon University in 1965. Masao Kimura is a veteran racer with more than 50 victories in Honda sports cars and single-seaters and worked for Honda R&D and then Honda Racing Service before helping Hirotoshi Honda establish Mugen. In 1973, Mugen started its operations and initially offered special parts of motocross bikes. As Honda expanded its vehicle lineup, Mugen's product range also expanded. The company started specializing in tuning Honda engines . Beginning with

1440-490: A trend that accelerated in 2010 with the introduction of FIA GT cars to the series. In response to the decline of locally produced entries from specialist manufacturers, the GTA worked with Dome to create the " Mother Chassis " ( ja: マザーシャシー ), a low-cost GT300 platform, with the first MC car entering the series in 2014. Mother Chassis cars utilize a standard Dome-produced tub and GTA-branded Nissan VK45DE engine, while maintaining

1536-457: Is a spin-off company of Honeywell International Inc. currently supplies exclusive turbocharger kits including wastegate for all Super GT GT500 class cars from 2014 season onwards using a 846519-15 model. The turbocharger spin rev limit spins up to 150,000 rpm but not exceeding 155,000 rpm due to higher turbo boost pressure. Unlike GT500, both works-backed and independent teams compete in GT300, so

1632-751: Is another goal for the M-TEC team and the Mugen name. Currently, the authorized dealer of Mugen parts in the US is King Motorsports. Team director Junichi Kumakura thought racing the NSX in the United States was a great way to promote the company in a previously unvisited environment. When asked what else M-TEC would like to accomplish in America with the golden NSX, competing at Sebring and Daytona were marked as attractive goals. Engine Name: MF458S Mugen have become

1728-449: Is becoming increasingly more difficult for GT500 cars to overtake GT300s, the GTA may review the speed difference between the two classes in the future, especially if the pace of the GT300 cars continues to increase. 2024–present (second generation) Converted to 4WD layout in 2006. Converted to rear-wheel drive layout in 2010. Super GT is unique in its open and blunt statement that it is committed to providing exciting racing first, at

1824-518: Is composed entirely of manufacturer-supported teams, representing the three biggest Japanese automobile manufacturers: Toyota , Honda , and Nissan . Since 2014, GT500 cars have been powered by single-turbocharged, inline four-cylinder engines with two liters of displacement and producing over 650 horsepower. The cars are silhouette racing cars with purpose-built carbon fibre monocoques. The advancements in aerodynamics and horsepower, combined with an ongoing tyre war driving even higher speeds, have made

1920-530: Is headed by former Mugen board member Shin Nagaosa , who was the engineering division manager at Mugen and been involved with running Mugen's NSX racing program. Working with Honda, Mugen has gradually expanded its sporting involvement to all levels of the sport. In 1986, Formula 3000 was introduced into Japan and Mugen joined forces with Honda to build an F3000 engine. It was introduced in the 1987 season and leased to 14 teams. The following year, Mugen won four of

2016-528: Is typically well known to be sought as an OEM aftermarket purchases for countries such as the U.S that do not receive Mugen produced vehicles like in Japan. ( key ) (results in bold indicate pole position) Super GT Super GT (stylized as SUPER GT ) is a sports car racing series that began in 1993. Launched as the Zen Nihon GT Senshuken ( 全日本GT選手権 ) , generally referred to as

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2112-600: The All Japan Grand Touring Car Championship ( JGTC ), the series was renamed to Super GT in 2005. It is the top level of sports car racing in Japan. The series is sanctioned by the Japan Automobile Federation (JAF) and run by the GT Association (GTA). Autobacs has been the title sponsor of the series and its predecessor since 1998. The JGTC (Japanese Grand Touring Championship) was established in 1993 by

2208-412: The 1998 Monaco Grand Prix to find out why up until then the team had failed to score a single World Championship point. The relationship continued at Silverstone where the team scored their first World Championship point of the season courtesy of a 6th-place finish from Ralf Schumacher, followed by points finishes at the next 3 races. It was not until Spa-Francorchamps , when Jordan's fortunes changed for

2304-597: The 2012 Isle of Man TT , John McGuinness took the Mugen Shinden Ni to second place behind the MotoCzysz of Michael Rutter at an average speed of 109.527 mph. At the 2013 TT Mugen again finished runners up to MotoCzysz , with Rutter and McGuinness repeating the previous year's result. Mugen's development has continued at subsequent races in the TT Zero Category. Fielding two machines at

2400-553: The 2014 Isle of Man TT , John McGuinness secured their maiden victory ahead of teammate Bruce Anstey who took second place on the other Shinden San. At the 2015 TT McGuinness and Anstey again took the first two spots on the rostrum. Mugen continued their dominance in the TT Zero class at the Isle of Man TT Races in 2016, when Bruce Anstey took the honours, although their other machine, ridden by John McGuinness , retired during

2496-586: The Dodge Viper while the truck version of the engine was used starting in 1994 in the Dodge Ram . It discontinued in that application after 2003. However, 2003 also saw the introduction of the Dodge Ram SRT-10 , a performance model meant to rival Ford's successful V8 powered F-150 SVT Lightning . The Viper engine (a 90-degree engine with odd firing order to obviate the need for a balance shaft)

2592-615: The GT3 cars in the class are closely related to production cars, the JAF-GT machines differ from production vehicles to a greater degree, and in the case of the Mother Chassis cars, share little more than a badge and exterior styling with their road-going counterparts. While engine outputs are at a lower level than the GT500 cars, the GT300 cars still post competitive times and races are relatively tight when combined with GT500 traffic. As it

2688-675: The Honda Civic Type R (FL5). Other models, such as the Nissan Fairlady Z , Lexus SC 430 , Lexus RC F , Lexus LC 500 , Nissan GT-R , and the Honda NSX (NC1) have been used, as well as the Honda HSV-010 GT , a prototype car developed specifically for Super GT with its planned road-going variant having been cancelled. In the earlier years of the GT500 category, a number of foreign manufacturers entered cars in

2784-687: The Japan Automobile Federation (JAF) via its subsidiary company the GTA (GT Association), replacing the defunct All Japan Sports Prototype Championship for Group C cars and the Japanese Touring Car Championship for Group A touring cars, which instead would adopt the supertouring formula. Seeking to prevent the spiraling budgets and one-team/make domination of both series, JGTC imposed strict limits on power, and heavy weight penalties on race winners, in an openly stated objective to keep on-track action close with an emphasis on keeping fans happy. The JGTC had planned to hold

2880-635: The Kyushu region, Okayama International Circuit in the Chugoku region, and Sportsland Sugo in the Tohoku region. Races are typically single events between 250 and 300 kilometres' distance, with one compulsory pit stop in the middle of the race for driver changes and refuelling. In 2022, the series introduced a new longer-distance format for select races, held over 450 kilometres with two compulsory pit stops. The series had already expanded internationally by

2976-638: The United States . The 1965–1984 Leopard 1 armored tank was powered by the MTU MB 838 CaM 500 37.4 L (2,282 cu in) V10 diesel engine. Daimler-Benz produced three V10 diesel engine models (OM403, OM423 and OM443) for Mercedes-Benz NG and Neoplan buses in 1970s–1980s. Four Japanese commercial vehicle manufacturers ( Isuzu , Hino , Mitsubishi Fuso and Nissan Diesel ) produced V10 diesel engines for their heavy duty trucks and coaches in 1970s–2000s. The 1983–2023 Tatra 815 truck

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3072-493: The 1200cc Honda Civic engine, it went on to develop, and now designs and builds, both two-stroke and four-stroke engines, manufacturing many of the major components itself. Mugen ultimately intends to build its own road cars and the first step towards this was the creation of bodykits for the Honda Ballade CR-X in 1984. Since then, the company has produced a number of body kits for Honda machinery, culminating with

3168-479: The 2018 title. In the GT300 class, notable drivers include Nobuteru Taniguchi of Goodsmile Racing , who is also well known as a D1GP competitor, and Manabu Orido , a former D1GP judge currently driving for apr Racing. Other well-known drivers in the category were the TV presenter and singer Hiromi Kozono and Masahiko Kondo , who was also a pop star, actor, and racer-turned-GT500 team owner. Another popular GT300 driver

3264-463: The 2020 provisional calendar, but both races were cancelled due to the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic . As of the 2023 season, the series has yet to stage another race outside of Japan. The International Suzuka 1000km endurance race in late August was the longest and most prestigious event on the Super GT calendar, from 2006 when it was added as a championship round, until 2017, the final year of

3360-598: The FIA, and would therefore require direct authorization from it, rather than the JAF. Initially, JAF announced JGTC would be renamed "Super GT World Challenge" with the goals of "challenge to the world", and "challenge to entertainment"; however, FIA prevented JAF from using it due to confusion of the suffix with "World Championship" (a higher level FIA recognition status) and a dispute with Sports Car Club of America , which ran Speed World Challenge since 1990. On December 10, 2004, it

3456-674: The French title with Éric Hélary , and the British crown with Mika Häkkinen at the wheel of a West Surrey Racing Ralt, which repeated the title in 1991 with Rubens Barrichello . As F3000 became a spec-series in Europe starting in 1996 with the Lola - Judd combo, the Japanese series responded by making Mugen the sole supplier to the Japanese championship, now redubbed Formula Nippon. M-TEC lost

3552-610: The GT500 class the fastest form of production-based sports car racing today. The pace of a current GT500 car is roughly equivalent to that of the fastest non-hybrid Le Mans Prototypes . For many years, the Nissan Skyline GT-R , the Toyota Supra , and the Honda NSX (NA1) represented their respective brands in GT500. Today, the three cars competing in GT500 are the Nissan Z (RZ34) , the revived Toyota GR Supra , and

3648-454: The JGTC, the NSX winning two races, and finishing second (Mugen/Dome) and third (ARTA) in the series. More importantly, in June, the company announced development of a new 4.0 L V8, dubbed MF408S, for the main prototype class in the 24 Hours of Le Mans and American Le Mans Series . At the time, Mugen acknowledged that international sportscar racing was a new category for them. The concept of

3744-525: The MF408S was high power, compact size, durability and reliability. Mugen chose a 4.0 L (N/A) Naturally aspirated engine because they felt through their experience in Formula Three that restrictor size was key to performance. The idea was to save fuel with a smaller displacement engine, since, theoretically, restrictor size will bring power in any engine to a similar level. The main engines in use at

3840-608: The Mugen NSX prototype in 1992. Following Hirotoshi Honda's tax evasion allegation in late 2003, Mugen was restructured in early 2004 with the establishment of M-TEC. The new company retained the right to use the Mugen trademark and its headquarters in Asaka, Saitama , in the northern suburbs of Tokyo close to the Honda R&;D facility at Wako . Although it is a legally separate entity, M-TEC kept Mugen's existing staff and

3936-660: The Mugen/ Dome partnership, one for Team Kunimitsu and one for Nakajima Racing . The cars were fast but unreliable at first, until the Nakajima NSX scored the car's first win at the fourth round in Fuji. This was followed by three more wins (one of them by the Mugen/Dome team), which led to a second place championship finish for Tom Coronel and Kouji Yamanishi . In 1999, the Honda took three more wins, one of those with

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4032-514: The Mugen/Dome team of Juichi Wakisaka and Katsutomo Kaneishi scoring a victory at the opening round in Suzuka and finishing the third best team in the championship. In 2000, the Mugen/Dome team was champion with Ryo Michigami , but the car's performance was limited by regulation changes and Michigami reached the title without a single win. Still, Honda won four races, one of them by the second Mugen/Dome car. In 2001, Mugen concentrated once more in

4128-513: The Mugen/Dome team winning two races outright, which gave them the Team's championship title. The debut of the MF408S was in a Panoz chassis in the 2002 Sebring 12 Hours , first round of ALMS. In 2004, M-TEC decided to drop down to GT300 and help train Japanese drivers for GT500 speeds. By grabbing promising drivers early in their careers, M-TEC would then be able to mold them and have definite access to future champions. M-TEC driver, Hiroyuki Yagi ,

4224-555: The NSX-Concept GT and NSX-GT (both second-generation based models) to run with a midship engine to match the road car's engine position; the waiver expired at the end of 2019 season with the implementation of Class 1 technical regulations, after which Honda was required to redesign the NSX-GT to accommodate a front-engine layout. New GT500 cars were introduced in 2014 in preparation for the future Class 1 Touring Cars , including

4320-556: The appearance of production cars such as the Toyota 86 , Lotus Evora , and Toyota Mark X . The MC concept proved to be popular with independent teams, as well as competitive, with the Toyota 86 MC winning the GT300 championship in 2016. Since 2006, Group GT1 and Group GT2 could race in GT300, and Group GT3 cars are able to enter GT300 since 2010 season. After the 2011 season, GTA announced GT1 and GTE cars are not eligible anymore with

4416-436: The balance of performance are publicly accessible. The regulations stipulate that no single driver drive over two-thirds of the race distance, which affects the timing of pit stops and driver changes, therefore preventing strategy from dominating the competition. Formerly, the regulations went further and required pit stops and driver changes be done within mandatory windows; in 2004, during an exhibition race held at Fontana ,

4512-516: The better with drivers Damon Hill and Ralf Schumacher scored a 1–2 finish securing Jordan's first ever Formula One victory and their only 1–2 finish during their existence after a crash-marred start. The team would score points on two further occasions with Ralf achieving a 3rd-place finish at the Italian Grand Prix. Gary Anderson would later reveal that, by that season, Honda's headquarters had increased their involvement in developing

4608-561: The car number is assigned to the team, in which each team is allowed to choose whichever number they want as long as the number isn't already used by any other team. The number assigned to each team is permanent, and may only change hands when the team exits the series. The number 1 is reserved for the defending GT500 champion, and the number 0 is reserved for the reigning GT300 champion. For easy identification, headlight covers, windshield decals, and number panels are white on GT500 cars, and yellow on GT300 cars. The top class in Super GT, GT500,

4704-489: The categories derive from their traditional maximum horsepower limit – in the early years of the series, GT500 cars would have no more than 500 horsepower, GT300 cars would max out at around 300 hp. However, the current generation of GT500 engines produce in excess of 650 horsepower. Meanwhile, in present-day GT300, the horsepower range varies from around 400 to just over 550 horsepower; however, GT300 cars have far less downforce than their GT500 counterparts. In both groups,

4800-401: The championship in play up to the final race of the season: only two GT500 teams (ARTA in 2007 and MOLA in 2012) and one GT300 team (GAINER with André Couto in 2015) have managed to clinch a driver's championship prior to the final race. Following repeated cases of teams and drivers not winning a single race but still winning the championship (in 2003, neither the GT500 nor GT300 champions won

4896-436: The championship in the GT300 class. Italian driver Ronnie Quintarelli won the most drivers championship titles with four. Quintarelli also holds the record for the most drivers championship title won by a non-Japanese driver and the most drivers championship won in GT500 class with four. Tatsuya Kataoka and Nobuteru Taniguchi were tied for the record of most drivers championship won in GT300 class with three. Tetsuya Yamano

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4992-503: The class by GT3 cars. This reflects a growing interest in the series from European manufacturers, with Audi and BMW fielding works-supported entries. Toyota/Lexus, Nissan, and Subaru also campaign works-supported cars in the class. The GT300 class used to host more exotic cars from the likes of ASL , Mosler , Mooncraft and Vemac , as well as detuned GT500 cars, such as the 2004 title-winning M-TEC NSX. However, starting in 2006, teams increasingly chose to campaign European GT cars instead,

5088-589: The dominant force in electrically powered motorcycles competing at the Isle of Man TT Races . In the eight years since their introduction into the TT Zero , the average speed of the Mugen Shinden around the Snaefell Mountain Course has increased from 102.215 mph (164.499 km/h) in 2012 to 121.91 mph (196.20 km/h) in 2019. By 2019, Mugen has won five TT Zero races using its Shinden bikes. Making their competitive debut at

5184-593: The drivers championship title in both classes. Multiverse Partners, through Haro Sports & Entertainment, undertakes the international content syndication of Autobacs Super GT 2019 Series (outside of Japan and Thailand). V10 engine A V10 engine is a ten- cylinder piston engine where two banks of five cylinders are arranged in a V configuration around a common crankshaft . V10 engines are much less common than V8 and V12 engines . Several V10 diesel engines have been produced since 1965, and V10 petrol engines for road cars were first produced in 1991 with

5280-463: The engine being used in any races. Alfa Romeo fitted the engine to two Alfa Romeo 164 Pro Car prototypes in 1988, however these cars also did not compete in any races. The most widespread use of V10 racing engines has been in Formula One. Following a ban on turbocharged engines after 1988, the first V10 Formula One cars were the 1989 McLaren MP4/5 and Williams FW12 . V10 engines were used by

5376-535: The engines that otherwise still carry Mugen branding. The 1999 season resulted in further success with Heinz-Harald Frentzen winning twice in France and Italy and even challenging for the title, although he failed in doing so due to better performance from McLaren and Ferrari. After Honda returned to the sport from 2000 with British American Racing , Mugen left Formula One after another year of having both Honda and Mugen engines racing together, leaving Honda to supply

5472-635: The engines to Jordan as well in 2001 and 2002. Mugen-built engines were also used for the RC101B/RC-F1 2.0X , a car built by the Honda R&D Center without direct support from Honda headquarters (previous cars built by the R&;D Center used older Honda engines when they supplied engines for McLaren) and for the Honda RA099 , an official Honda test car to prepare for Honda's factory engine supply operation. In 1998, Mugen built four NSX models, two for

5568-549: The event in its 1000 km format. The Suzuka 1000 km was replaced with the Intercontinental GT Challenge Suzuka 10 Hours in 2018. That year, Super GT revived the Fuji GT 500 Mile Race (805 km) as the series' new endurance round. It ran from 2018 to 2019, but was not renewed from 2020 onwards. The Golden Week race at Fuji Speedway, held annually on May 4, is also considered to be

5664-403: The expense of runaway investment by works teams. GT500 cars are fitted with many common parts, lowering costs and equalizing the performance of those parts across all competitors. In the GT300 class, air restrictor sizes, minimum weights, ride heights, and maximum turbo boost pressures are modified on a race-to-race basis to balance performance across all cars. All adjustments to the regulations and

5760-494: The field tends to be much more varied in terms of types of cars entered. As in GT500, the major Japanese automakers participate in this class, entering cars such as the Toyota Prius and Subaru BRZ , which comply with JAF-GT regulations. However, the GT300 class is predominantly composed of GT3 -class cars from European manufacturers such as Audi and Mercedes , although Toyota/Lexus, Nissan and Honda are also represented in

5856-409: The final race instead. In 2017, the weight handicap system for GT500 cars was amended to add fuel flow restrictions. Actual weight ballast will be capped at 50 kilograms for reasons of practicality and safety. When a car's assigned ballast exceeds 50 kilograms, it will be assigned a lesser amount of weight ballast, but a fuel flow restriction will be imposed, the severity of which increases according to

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5952-545: The first car in the class to utilize a KERS -assisted hybrid powertrain, the Honda NSX Concept-GT. Common aerodynamic regulations with the DTM were adopted, as was Class 1's turbocharged four-cylinder engine specification. Furthermore, the 2014 rules overhaul also increased the cars' downforce by 30%, while lowering costs. Aerodynamic development above a "design line" wrapping around the fenders, bumpers, and doorsills

6048-422: The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. Traditionally, this event has been run as the Fuji GT 500 km Race, but in 2022, the event was shortened to 450 km (100 laps). Due to the effects of the 2009 energy crisis in Japan , the Fuji 500 km and Suzuka 1000 km race distances were shortened. The 2011 Tohoku earthquake and tsunami and its effects resulted in a further reduction in all race distances for

6144-569: The intention of reducing costs, and adopted full GT3 rule. One of the more unique GT300 competitors was the Mooncraft Shiden MC/RT-16 , a Riley Daytona Prototype -based revival of the original 1977 Mooncraft Shiden 77 (紫電77). It competed from 2006 to 2012, narrowly losing the title in 2006, and winning the championship in 2007. Front-wheel drive cars such as the Mitsubishi FTO , Toyota Celica and Cavalier ,

6240-579: The lap record average speed to 121.91 mph. John McGuinness followed his team-mate home to complete a 1-2 finish for the team. M-Tec has also built concept Honda vehicles, using the company's own performance parts. Some models (e.g.: Mugen Civic RR) are also sold in Japanese domestic market. Mugen also sells individual parts for newer vehicles that includes the 2017-2021 Civic Type-R (FK8), as well as 2016-2021 Civic Hatchback (FK7). These parts include aerodynamic body parts such as front lips, rear diffusers, and wings. This also goes for earlier gen vehicles, and

6336-424: The majority of teams by the 1996 season , following reduction in displacement from 3.5 to 3.0 L (214 to 183 cu in). The V10 seemed the best compromise between the lower weight of a V8 and the higher power of a V12. Renault F1 used a flatter 110° angle in 2002 and 2003 , but reverted to a more conventional 72° following the change in rules which dictated that an engine must last two race weekends. In

6432-449: The manufacturers introducing new cars to comply with the new rules. Aerodynamic development was further restricted, and a standardized ECU and suspension were introduced. The standard turbochargers were introduced from the start of 2014 season . The turbo configuration is single-turbocharged and producing the turbo boost level pressure up to 3.5  bar (51  psi ). Swiss-American turbocharger company Garrett Advancing Motion which

6528-537: The one lap event. Anstey and Guy Martin came first and second respectively, both riding Mugen machines. The Mugen motorcycles achieved first and third place with Michael Rutter and Lee Johnston respectively, split by Daley Mathison riding for the University of Nottingham . Rutter broke the 120 mph barrier to set a new lap record of 121.824 mph (196.057 km/h). 2019 Mugen achieved their sixth consecutive victory with Michael Rutter again increasing

6624-639: The race, similar to systems used in the DTM and the BTCC . The system metes out two kilograms of ballast per point scored; it formerly added ballast based on qualifying positions and individual lap times. Stickers on the cars display every car's weight handicap level. In the 2007 season, the Takata NSX team achieved a record-breaking 5 pole positions in the first 7 races, but due to the weight handicap system, they only won one race among those seven. Such regulations keep

6720-445: The release of the Dodge Viper . The V10 configuration does not have perfect engine balance , since an unbalanced rocking couple is caused by each cylinder bank functioning as a straight-five engine . Therefore, balance shafts are sometimes used to reduce the vibrations in a V10 engine. One of the first known V10 engines was used in the 1936 Busch-Sulzer ICRR 9201 prototype locomotive, of which three examples were produced in

6816-495: The same position as in their production counterparts. However, apr took advantage of a loophole in the regulations to continue to race their mid-engine Prius until 2018, when the team was required to build a new, front-engine Prius. The development of GT300 cars is much more regulated than that of their GT500 counterparts; the GTA works with the Stephane Ratel Organisation to balance the performance of all GT300 cars via technical adjustments in order to create close racing. While

6912-627: The season, before standard distances were restored in 2012. Non-championship rounds have been run sporadically during Super GT's history. The Fuji Sprint Cup was held from 2010 to 2013, consisting of two sprint races per class. The first annual Super GT x DTM Dream Race was held in November 2019, consisting of two sprint races for GT500 and DTM cars, supported by the auto sport Web Sprint Cup, two sprint races for select GT300 teams as well as one-off GT3 entries from other Japanese events. The cars are divided into two classes: GT500 and GT300. The names of

7008-487: The series until 2008 , when an all-wheel drive Subaru Impreza developed by Cusco won in Sepang. An open top car, Renault Sport Spider , made a one-off participation in 1997, also with lack of success. Hybrid cars first raced in the GT300 class in 2012, when apr introduced their Toyota Prius apr GT , and Team Mugen fielded a Honda CR-Z GT . Both cars were heavily modified from their production counterparts. The Prius

7104-531: The series was the Aston Martin DBR9 , which fared poorly in its brief run in 2009 - illustrating the overwhelming advantage in raw pace that the GT500 class cars had over the FIA GT1 category cars that dominated the landscape in Europe; Team Goh , who entered the 1996 F1 GTRs, planned to enter a Maserati MC12 in 2006, but withdrew during testing for similar reasons. In 2012, the GT500 regulations

7200-408: The series' most prestigious event. Held during a major public holiday season, it regularly draws the largest crowds of any Super GT race, with a two-day attendance of 91,000 spectators in 2019. It was the first event of the first official JGTC season in 1994, and has been a permanent fixture of the series' calendar with the exception of 2004, when the circuit was closed for renovations, and 2020, due to

7296-513: The series, with varying success. The Porsche 911 GT2 and the BMW -powered McLaren F1 GTR are, to date, the only foreign cars to win the GT500 championship, when the former won the teams' title in 1995 and the latter won both titles in 1996. A longtail version of the F1 GTR would later score a race victory in 2001. The Ferrari F40 , Porsche 911 Turbo, and Porsche 962. The last foreign-built car to enter

7392-478: The size of the assigned weight handicap. While the amount of actual weight ballast carried may vary, the weight handicap stickers on the cars will continue to display the assigned weight handicap. Like the series, Super GT drivers are very popular in Japan with a growing international fanbase. One driver who gained international appeal is Keiichi Tsuchiya , who raced for the Taisan and ARTA teams before moving to

7488-519: The sport at the end of 1992 season, Mugen remained affiliated with Footwork in 1993 and created a B version of the MF351H, used by Aguri Suzuki and Derek Warwick . At the end of the year, Mugen switched to Team Lotus with plans for a new Lotus 109 . The team—with drivers Johnny Herbert and Pedro Lamy (later replaced by Alessandro Zanardi )—was underfunded and the 109 chassis was late arriving. The Mugen engine, codenamed MF351HC (also known as ZA5C),

7584-674: The supply contract for the 2006 season, with the rules changing to allow Toyota associate TOM'S to join Mugen as engine supplier. Mugen continues to enjoy success in the Formula Three circuit with its tuned 2.0 L Honda engines, having won 9 titles in Asia (8 of which in Japan) since 1988, as well as 19 titles in Europe (15 of them in Britain), and 13 in Latin America. As of 2017, Mugen Formula engines still enjoy use and success across

7680-535: The team suffered 17 retirements during 1996. Ligier was taken over by Alain Prost in 1997, and the newly named Prost Grand Prix ran MF301HB engines with Jarno Trulli leading the Austrian Grand Prix before suffering an engine failure. The Prost team managed two podium finishes during the 1997 season at Brazil and Spain, scoring points in 8 races over the season securing a final total of 21 points and

7776-471: The time it was rebranded in 2005. Sepang International Circuit in Malaysia hosted a championship round every year until 2014, when it was replaced by a new event at Chang International Circuit in Buriram , Thailand . Additional overseas races were planned to be held at Shanghai Circuit in 2005, and Yeongam International Circuit in 2013, but both events were cancelled. Buriram and Sepang were both on

7872-458: The time were producing around 600 hp, including the turbocharged Audi and Cadillac , as well as the larger displacement BMW and the Roush -prepared Ford . Mugen excluded a turbo as this necessitated use of intercoolers to extract maximum performance, which added to the weight and reduced performance. 2002 was a good year for Mugen at the track. The Mugen-prepared NSXs won five rounds, with

7968-742: The top five places in the Japanese F3000 championship. In 1989, Mugen entered European F3000 with the MF308 engine and won the championship with Jean Alesi , driving an Eddie Jordan Racing Reynard . The same year the company produced its own prototype 3.5L  V8 Formula One engine, codenamed MF350. In 1988, Mugen started tuning Honda engines for use in Formula Three , winning the Japanese series with Akihiko Nakaya , and in 1990 expanded their business to Europe. The same year, Mugen won its first Formula Three championships in Europe, taking

8064-480: The various European hillclimb championships, employed in former Formula chassis and dedicated hillclimb prototypes. In 1991 Mugen prepared Honda V10 engines for Tyrrell (based on engines used by McLaren in 1989 and 1990 ), but the following year these engines were renamed Mugen MF351H and were transferred to the Footwork team, with drivers Aguri Suzuki and Michele Alboreto . Although Honda withdrew from

8160-486: Was Tetsuya Yamano, who runs his own driving school and took the GT300 class victory at Sepang for three consecutive years. Overall, across all classes, 36 different drivers have won the drivers' championship in Super GT. Japan has produced the most winning drivers with 26. For the ten non-Japanese drivers who had become champions, eight of them won the drivers championship in the GT500 class while Macau driver André Couto and Brazilian driver João Paulo de Oliveira won

8256-575: Was announced that new name of JGTC was confirmed as "Super GT". However, despite the name change and several attempts at holding a second overseas race, Super GT has continued to only hold one overseas race per year; in theory, it could regain its status as a national championship and return to JAF jurisdiction. In 2014, Super GT and the German touring car series DTM announced the creation of Class 1 , which would unify GT500's and DTM's technical regulations, allowing manufacturers to race in both series with

8352-573: Was available with a 15.8 L (964 cu in) V10 engine. The Volkswagen V10 TDI is a turbocharged V10 engine which was produced from 2002 to 2010 for use in the Volkswagen Phaeton luxury sedan and Volkswagen Touareg SUV. V10 engines are less common than V8 and V12 engines, a V12 is only slightly more complicated and runs more smoothly, while a V8 is less complex and more economical. Nevertheless, modern engineering has made it possible to use V10 engines for applications where

8448-514: Was changed in order to provide provisions for four-door vehicles, although none was run until Honda announced that the Civic Type R will replace the outgoing NSX in 2024. In 2010, front-engine, rear-wheel drive layout became the only permitted layout in the class, prompting Honda to initially replace the first generation-based NSX GT with the HSV-010. In 2014, Honda was granted a waiver to allow

8544-401: Was improved during its production run, and produced as much as 477  kW (640  hp ; 649  PS ) in a standard state of tune from an 8.4 L version. The Viper engine was also used by Bristol in the two-seat Fighter coupe , and in other low-volume vehicles. Ford also developed a heavy-duty V10 version of their Triton engine to replace the 460 big block in truck applications. It

8640-601: Was initially planned for the Minardi team. The 3.0 L engine, conforming to the new regulations, was codenamed MF301H. The 1995 season was promising with points being scored at nine races and the team securing two podiums, one courtesy of Brundle finishing third at the Belgian Grand Prix and the other by Panis finishing second at the Australian Grand Prix. The team secured 24 points and finished

8736-1056: Was introduced in the E-Series/Econoline full-size van , and also saw duty in the F-Series Super Duty line and the Ford Excursion SUV, and was offered by Ford through the 2019 model year. For the Lexus LFA , the engineers selected a V10 engine over an equivalent displacement V8 because they could not get the V8 to rev as high as a V10, and over a V12 for its lower reciprocating mass, allowing for more rapid engine response. High-revving V10 power-plants were incorporated into supercars from Lamborghini and Porsche . BMW and Audi developed V10s for high performance cars such as BMW M5 , BMW M6 , Audi S6 , Audi RS6 , Audi S8 and Audi R8 , mostly based upon their executive cars . Volkswagen also developed

8832-611: Was not able to show its full potential and failed to score a single World Championship point during 1994 despite coming close on 3 occasions. This was the only season in which Mugen engines (and Lotus) did not score a World Championship point during their time in Formula One. After Lotus closed at the end of the year, Mugen switched to the Ligier team, which was then being run for Flavio Briatore by Tom Walkinshaw , with drivers Olivier Panis , Martin Brundle and Aguri Suzuki, although it

8928-510: Was powered by a 3.4 liter V8 LMP1 engine, which worked in concert with production Hybrid Synergy Drive components; the CR-Z utilized a 2.8 liter V6 LMP2 engine and a 50 kW Zytek electric motor. Both the CR-Z and Prius were mid-engined, differing from their front-engined road-going counterparts; this resulted in the CR-Z's withdrawal after the 2015 season, as new regulations for 2016 stipulated that GT300 cars' engines were to be located in

9024-446: Was restricted. Over sixty common parts were introduced, including the brakes, diffuser, and rear wing. In response to increasing cornering speeds, another aerodynamic overhaul was introduced in 2017, lowering downforce by 25%. Furthermore, KERS units were banned, although the only manufacturer to utilize such systems, Honda, had already discontinued their usage in 2016. In 2020, Class 1 technical regulations were fully implemented, with

9120-539: Was sourced from the Integra Series . Giving the drivers experience was more important than developing the car to take the championship. To this end, M-TEC simply detuned the car for the GT300 class without optimizing it for the new power level. Winning the GT300 series by one point over the ARTA Garaiya was simply an unintended bonus for a dedicated, championship-level team. Breaking into the United States

9216-429: Was the first driver to win multiple championship as well as the sport's first two-time champion, all of them won consecutively. Three drivers, Toranosuke Takagi in 2005, Jenson Button in 2018, and Nirei Fukuzumi in 2019 have managed to win the championship in their first full-season attempt. As of the end of the 2019 season, Masataka Yanagida and Kazuya Oshima are the only drivers in the series' history to have won

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