How Subaru BRZ GT300 gets first podium at wet Suzuka 1000km

It was headlights and windshield wipers this weekend for the 2015 Subaru BRZ GT300. It was a grey day for the weather but a bright day for the R & D Sport Subaru team. The 2015 BRZ GT300 race car qualified in fourth place to start the race and was able to secure their first podium finish this season after a good day on Saturday at Suzuka circuit. The R & D Sport Subaru team finished in third place behind the number one Nissan GT-R NISMO and the second place finisher BMW Z4 GT3.

The Suzuka 1000km race this weekend started in wet conditions and the rain continued for much of the race. It didn’t deter the Subaru BRZ GT300 from running a good race with driver Iguchi behind the wheel to start. The team started on the grid in the fourth spot and it was a battle right from the start as the BRZ was immediately overtaken by rivals on the fast straightaway and fell to sixth place.

It didn’t rattle the Japanese driver as he calmly worked his way through the pack raising his rank in the standings. After an early pit stop, Yamauchi took over the driving and still had to contend with the rain, as well as the other faster cars on the track. Yamauchi was able to battle all the way up to second place until the BRZ was hit from behind and suffered damage to the rear diffuser. The driver stayed steady and continued to drive hard.

Towards the end, the rain stopped and the track dried out enough for the team to switch to the slick tires along with a driver change back to Iguchi. The fast Subaru BRZ was running faster on the dry track and Iguchi was able to keep the second place position until an accident caused the safety car to come out and slowed the field.

Yamauchi returned to the track in second place, but was overtaken by the BMW Z4 GT3 on the fast straight. The BRZ GT300 was running fast, just a second off the first place Nissan GT-R NISMO. Iguchi took charge to the finish and the R & D Sport Subaru team finished in third place to get their first podium of the season. Next up is round six of the "SUGO GT 300km RACE" to be held at Sports Land on September 19-20. Stay tuned.

Media and image source: Subaru Motorsport