Michelin tyres dominated in wet conditions in SuperGT last year - but there were signs old rival Bridgestone has closed the gap in last weekend's rain-hit Fuji test:
The French tyre firm, which supplies just the two NISMO-run Nissan Zs in the 15-car GT500 field, revealed a new specification of wet tyre for the 2022 season designed to maximise performance in mixed conditions.
There was however encouragement for Bridgestone in the opening session of the weekend, held during persistent but not torrential rain, as the Rookie Racing Toyota of Kenta Yamashita went fastest ahead of the two Michelin-shod Nissans. “I think Bridgestone caught up a little bit, and it looks like Yokohama caught up as well. I don’t think Michelin will dominate like they did at Sugo last year. The gap is closer now, and from our side, we have a big margin to improve."Baguette, who along with Impul team-mate Kazuki Hiramine was a low-key 12th-fastest on the opening day of the test and overall, said the new Bridgestone tread pattern had “positives and negatives”.
ARTA Honda driver Tomoki Nojiri offered a similar view, saying he didn’t think the new tread pattern was the reason for Bridgestone’s strong performance in heavy wet conditions. “While we can see the tread pattern from the outside, there are more important things that you can’t see. If Bridgestone had the same tread pattern as Yokohama, I don’t think they would be exactly the same.”NISMO driver Quintarelli, who shares the #23 Nissan with Tsugio Matsuda, suffered an off at 100R in the afternoon session of the second day of the Fuji test during some of the worst conditions seen across the two days of running.
United Kingdom Latest News, United Kingdom Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Three Cumbria restaurants given Michelin stars for the first timeThree new restaurants in Cumbria have received Michelin stars in the 2023 Michelin Guide
Read more »
The Manchester food spots that won’t win a Michelin star but we still love themThese lot won't get a star, but they should get your business
Read more »
Lancashire restaurant gets its first Michelin star in 2023 guideTim Allen opened So-Lo in Aughton, West Lancs, partly having been inspired by Mark Birchall's nearby Moor Hall
Read more »
Manchester restaurants snubbed at 2023 Michelin starsMana didn't snag a second star and Where The Light Gets In didn't get its first
Read more »
Michelin Guide announcement on Nottingham restaurantsThe best in the business gathered for the prestigious ceremony
Read more »
Toyota monopolises top four as wet Fuji SUPER GT test endsToyota GR Supras monopolised the top four places on the leaderboard as SUPER GT testing came to an end in torrential conditions at a water-logged Fuji Speedway.
Read more »