The #22 Sumo Power GT GT-R of Hughes/Walter-Campbell didn’t cross the line first but has still inherited victory in what was the GT-R’s best performance so far in FIA GT1 racing. Their original finishing place was 3rd, good enough for the podium but when the first and second place getters received post race penalties they were bumped up to the winning spot.

Crossing the line first was ex-GT-R pilot Darren Turner and Tomas Enge in their #7 Aston Martin, but in post race scrutineering, it was found that the FIA legality plank under the car had worn too thin. It was just 0.8mm thinner than the rules stipulate but rules are rules and they had to be excluded.

Second place across the line was the #9 Aston Martin but it was also dealt a penalty and given +15 seconds after they failed to serve a drive through penalty within 3 laps of receiving it.

“We were happy with third and then we were told it might be second so to get the call to say we won is incredible.” … “I was actually giving the trophy envious glances during the press conference, thinking it would be nice to have my name on there, so this is a great result for us. I’m genuinely delighted to have the win as this is a great result for the championship.”

– Warren Hughes, Sumo Power GT Driver

Thus the GT-R inherits it’s first FIA GT1 victory for team Sumo Power GT. Congratulations to the team and drivers!

Unfortunately though the #23 team Sumo Power GT car of Krumm/Dumbreck, had an off into the gravel on lap 11 so could not really stretch their legs into a great round two finish.

Swiss Racing Team’s day was mixed as well with the #4 GT-R of Ara/Nilsson improving from their grid start position of 14th into a 9th place finish. The #3 GT-R of Wendlinger/Moser however didn’t see any silver lining to the day when they had an off into the barrier on lap 17.

Full race report coming soon!

Qualifying race results are in and it’s again good to see the Nissan GT-Rs heading in the right direction. Today’s race was the first time the FIA GT1 teams were able to enter and complete the F1 style qualifying race session due to the Ford GT crash in round 1 forcing organizers to call it off in Abu Dhabi.

After the initial 20 minute eQ1 qualifying section, both Swiss Racing Team GT-Rs were knocked out and given 14th and 15th places on the grid. Sumo Power GT performed better however and both GT-Rs finished inside the top 8 with the #22 Sumo Power GT GT-R of Hughes/Campbell-Walter qualifying for 5th spot on the grid and the #23 Sumo Power GT GT-R of Krumm/Dumbreck slightly further back in 8th spot on the grid.

For the whole qualifying report from NISMO, click the Read More link below…

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