Super GT:Rookie Duval takes first pole position in EPSON NSX

[Plex]

Qualifying sessions for Round 9 of the 2006 AUTOBACS SUPER GT, the FUJI GT300KM, took place at the Fuji Speedway (1 lap 4.563 km) in Shizuoka Prefecture on November 4. Loic Duval in the EPSON NSX captured the pole position (1st place in qualifying). He will start from the front row for the final race on the 5th.

This is the first season for the 24-year-old rookie Duval to race in SUPER GT. He put up an overwhelming time in the first qualifying session in the morning to take 1st place, and in the afternoon when the top 10 machines run super laps (single machines running time trials) he captured a GT first for himself and the team's first pole position this season. During the early part of the super lap he made some slight errors, but in the latter part he made up for it and put up an excellent time of 1.33.668 that closed in on the course record (1.33.070).

In the GT300 class, Ryozanpaku apr MR-S captured its first pole position in this class. Behind the wheel was 19-year-old rookie Kazuya Oshima.

This is the final race of the 2006 season, and it is drawing a lot of attention as the title is up for grabs. The RAYBRIG NSX, currently at the top of the rankings, will start from 13th position. With eight teams still possible title winners, tomorrow's final race is sure to be a hard-fought battle.

Comments from pole position drivers

No. 32 EPSON NSX [GT500]
Loic Duvall says, "I'm happy to capture the pole position. But there were some parts of my driving that were not so good. I couldn't get the tires warmed up, and left the course at the first corner, I didn't do very well on the first part of the course. Since I was shooting for a 1.33, it's too bad I wasn't able to make it. Still, the tires and the machine are in good condition, so I'm looking for a victory in the final."
Hideki Mutoh says, "Driving yesterday and today, I realized that the machine's condition is very good. I think this will be an advantage in the final. There's plenty of tire life. I'll do my job right, and fulfill the expectations of the team."

No. 777 Ryozanpaku apr MR-S [GT300]
Kazuya Oshima says, "Of course I'm happy (to get the pole position), but I'm also a little relieved. The machine is really fast, so I thought I could get the pole position. But, because of that, I was a little nervous before the start. No matter what, I want to do my best not to make any mistakes. I'm shooting for victory in the final."
Minoru Tanaka says, "Although we've had a new type of engine this season, the development has not gone smoothly up to now, and I've had some tough times on the straights (at top speed). Since the last race at Autopolis, we switched to a new-spec engine and things have really improved. Our team is good at coming up with a precise race strategy and tomorrow (the final race), we want to show a compilation of this year in this fast machine."

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