Lamborghini Super Trofeo Returns To Japan’s Suzuka Circuit This Coming Weekend For Another Round Of Thrilling GT Racing

World renowned Italian luxury super car manufacturer Automobili Lamborghini is readying for the third round of the 2017 Super Trofeo Asia series, the Asian incarnation of its now global customer GT racing series. The two-day racing double header will be held at Japan’s famed Suzuka Circuit this coming weekend, and will mark the sixth consecutive year Lamborghini has held a Super Trofeo race in Japan. The competition returns to Suzuka Circuit for the second time in two years, after the track was first featured in last year’s competition. The 2017 Super Trofeo Asia series follows with another Japanese race weekend at Fuji International Speedway next month.

The Suzuka race will feature the return of several veteran Super Trofeo drivers to the series, such as Toshiyuki Ochiai, part of last year’s Asia series Pro-Am class winning team, now competing with HoJust Racing. 2016 runner up Yudai Uchida also makes a return to the competition, racing with Lamborghini Azabu, while back again to do battle is Yusuke Hayashi with Car Guy Racing, last year competing in the AM class. Meanwhile, former Formula One driver and local hero Shinji Nakano and his teammate Hiroyuki Iiri, himself a veteran Japanese Super GT campaigner joins the Pro class, racing with Lamborghini Osaka, along with Emperor Racing’s Akihiko Nakaya partnering with Italian driver Edoardo Liberati, 2016 GT Asia Champion, in a Lamborghini Huracan GT3.

The Lamborghini Super Trofeo 2017 season marks the sixth year of the Super Trofeo Asia series, the first ever Lamborghini Super Trofeo Middle East series, as well as the ninth and fifth consecutive years of the European and North American Super Trofeo series, respectively. The Suzuka race weekend is the third of six Super Trofeo Asia series race fixtures this year, with the first held at Malaysia’s Sepang International Circuit in April, the second at Thailand’s Buriram circuit last month, and rounds four and five to take place at Japan’s Fuji International Speedway and China’s Shanghai International Circuit, respectively. The sixth round as well as the World Final will take place at the legendary Autodromo of Imola, in Italy.

Previously a staple of Moto GP racing and a legend in the F1 calendar, the Suzuka circuit located in Mie Prefecture began its life as a Honda test track in 1962. Measuring in at 5.82km, the track is not only the longest in this season’s lineup, but the circuit is also recognized by F1 drivers and fans as one of the most enjoyed in the championship, with an illustrious history of hosting numerous Japanese Grand Prix races. Thanks to the many exciting motorsport events held at the location, Suzuka has become a world famous circuit and a highlight among Asian tracks. 

This year’s Super Trofeo Suzuka stop will take place alongside the second round of the Blancpain GT Series Asia, where Lamborghini will also be competing with a number of Huracán GT3.

The Lamborghini Super Trofeo Asia series welcomes a truly international field, with a number of front running European teams also taking part. The Middle East series’ Lamborghini Cup class winner Gabriele Murroni is competing, as well as Young Drivers Program graduate and Middle East Pro-Am class winner Rik Breukers with teammate Nigel Farmer, now leading their class with GDL Racing. They are followed by Leipert’s Mikko Eskelinen and Maxx Ebenal in second, and FFF Racing Team’s Carrie Schreiner and Richard Goddard in third. Another Young Drivers Program graduate Afiq Yazid, along with teammate Cozzolino Kei of Clazzio Racing is leading the Pro class, followed by Leipert’s Ben Gersekowski and Rory Collingbourne in second, and Lazarus’ Artur Janosz and Toby Sowery in third. With the competition approaching the half way point, all teams will be hoping to collect as many points as possible before the next round in Fuji.

Racing in the championship is divided into separate podiums, recognizing the breadth of talent in the Super Trofeo field. After each race, a podium presentation takes place for the top three finishers in the Pro, Pro-AM, AM classes, as well as the Lamborghini Cup for new drivers and rookies. The championship provides exciting action for Professional and Gentleman drivers alike. 

The 2017 Lamborghini Huracán Super Trofeo remains unchanged from last year, adopting the same V10 direct injection engine mounted on the Huracán road car, managed by a Motec control unit that delivers a maximum output of 620 horsepower, and with a dry weight of just 1270kg, the Lamborghini Huracán Super Trofeo possesses an astonishing weight/power ratio of 2.05 Kg/hp, translating to blistering on-track performance.

There will be one 40-minute sprint race and one 50-minute sprint race at Suzuka International Circuit, with Race 1 starting at 12:30 pm (JST) Saturday, June 24, and Race 2 on Sunday, June 25 at 13:35 pm. Qualifying begins at 8:35 am on Saturday June 24.

The 2017 Asia series features 12 races spread over six race weekends, all at iconic circuits, with the first five events showcasing some of the best tracks in Asia. The sixth event and final two rounds of the season will be at the Autodromo of Imola, situated in Italy’s Bologna region, home of Automobili Lamborghini. Here, the conclusion of the Super Trofeo Asia, Europe and North American series will converge in a world final and contest for a prized spot on the global podium. 

Lamborghini and dealers entertain VIP guests at every stop of the Lamborghini Super Trofeo Asia series, watching all of the action on track, whilst enjoying premium hospitality and fine Italian dining.