The penultimate round of the 2024 AUTOBACS SUPER GT season in the GT300 class brought heart-stopping action as Naoya Gamou and Takuro Shinohara powered their way to a solid second-place finish in the #65 LEON PYRAMID AMG/Mercedes AMG GT3. Equipped with Bridgestone tyres, this duo showed remarkable resilience, retaining their championship lead with a solid 84 points.
The weekend began with a wet and unpredicta-ble qualifying session, the first under a new for-mat designed for such challenging conditions. In Q1, Gamou and Shinohara capitalized on the damp track’s difficulties, securing second position with impressive adaptability. Meanwhile, Kazuto Kotaka and Jin Nakamura in the #31 apr LC500h GT took pole, displaying Bridgestone’s un-matched wet-weather prowess.
| PO. | NO. | MACHINE | DRIVER | BEST TIME | TYRE |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | #31 | apr LC500h GT LEXUS LC500h |
Jin Nakamura Kazuto Kotaka |
2’02.140 1.57.322 |
 |
| 4 | #65 | LEON PYRAMID AMG Mercedes AMG GT3 |
Naoya Gamou Takuro Shinohara |
1'59.102 1’57.954 |
|
| 11 | #52 | Green Brave GR Supra GT TOYOTA GR Supra |
Hiroki Yoshida Seita Nonaka |
1'59.888 1’59.428 |
|
| 16 | #2 | muta Racing GR86 GT TOYOTA GR86 |
Hibiki Taira Yuui Tsutsumi |
2’03.229 2’00.886 |
|
From the moment the green flag waved, Gamou and Shinohara were a team on a mission. Starting from fourth on the grid, they quickly advanced to third and maintained a measured, calculated approach throughout the race. With their Bridgestone-equipped Mercedes AMG GT3 consistently delivering, they broke into second as the apr LC500h GT took the initial lead. Both teams opted for a bold strategy, extending their stints and holding out on tyre changes—a testament to the endurance and control Bridgestone tyres offered.
As they advanced through the 300km race, the #65 LEON PYRAMID AMG maintained a strong pace, eventually cap-italizing on an unfortunate incident that saw the #31 apr LC500h GT slip down the ranks after contact with a GT500 car. With Gamou and Shinohara now solidly in second place, they settled into a rhythm, skilfully managing the pressure from the #18 UPGARAGE NSX GT3 team behind them. Their Bridgestone tyres delivered consistent grip and performance lap after lap, allowing them to hold off their pursuers and bring home a critical 15 points.
With this second-place finish, Gamou and Shinohara extend their lead, bringing Bridgestone one step closer to a GT300 championship victory. Their rivals, Tsutsumi and Taira, in the #2 muta Racing GR86 GT, faced setbacks in qualifying and the race, finishing 13th and dropping in the standings. With Suzuka on the horizon, Gamou/Shino-hara, and Bridgestone are poised for a thrilling finale in the chase for the title.
As the countdown to the final round begins, the stakes are high, and the Bridgestone-equipped #65 LEON PYRA-MID AMG is more determined than ever. Fans can expect a dramatic showdown as Bridgestone’s grip on the cham-pionship intensifies, promising an unforgettable finale.
| PO. | NO. | MACHINE | DRIVER | BEST TIME | TYRE | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | #65 | LEON PYRAMID AMG Mercedes AMG GT3 |
Naoya Gamou Takuro Shinohara |
1’50.383 | |
|
| 4 | #52 | Green Brave GR Supra GT TOYOTA GR Supra |
Hiroki Yoshida Seita Nonaka |
1’50.839 |
|
|
| 11 | #31 | apr LC500h GT LEXUS LC500h |
Kazuto Kotaka Jin Nakamura |
1’49.827 |
|
|
| 16 | #2 | muta Racing GR86 GT TOYOTA GR86 |
Yuui Tsutsumi Hibiki Taira |
1’51.586 |
|
“Although the No. 88 car of Kogure/Motoshima from another manufacturer beat them in the final, Kotaka/Naka-mura took pole position in the qualifying in wet conditions, which was a good result for the development team. The final was held in clear, dry conditions, and the Bridgestone users adopted a strategy of not changing tyres, but changing tyres does not make a difference in tyre performance. However, considering passing at Motegi was diffi-cult, it was essential to shorten the time needed to change tyres and get ahead. The strategy worked well for Gamou/Shinohara to maintain their position. It was unfortunate for Kotaka/Nakamura. The conditions at the final race at Suzuka are uncertain, but we will strongly back up the Bridgestone team and support them in winning the championship"
Takahiko Yamamoto, Bridgestone Motorsport Tyre Development Manager
