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HISTORY The JGTC - established in 1992 by the JAF ( Japanese Automobile Federation ) via its subsardisary company the '''GT-A'' ''(GT Association)'' - replaces the defunct All-Japan Sports Car Championship for Group C cars that was terminated by the end of 1993 and at the same year Japan Touring Cars Championship for Group A touring cars, which would adopt the Supertouring formula which were used worldwide. Seeking to prevent the spiraling budgets and one-team/make domination of both series, JGTC imposed strict limits on power, and heavy weight penalties on race winners in an openly-stated objective to keep on-track action close with an emphasis on keeping the race goers happy. In its first ever race which was also an IMSA exhibition race, apart from the GTS and GTU cars from the US series, as with the rest of the season, the grid consisted of mostly Japan Sport Sedan Series cars with the only genuine JGTC cars were two Nissan Skyline GT-R entered by NISMO , which were in fact modified Gr. A cars. The prototypes, and European GT cars would only appear in one race to be joined by the IMSA and Group N cars at the Suzuka 1000km. For the following season, the series would undergo a rules overhaul. The Group C prototypes whilst showing strong form were banished at the end of the 1994 season. On December 10, 2004, while the series had been mainly focused on Japanese domestic teams, sponsors and fans with an ever rising international fan following it was announced that JGTC would now be called Super GT with goals of 'challenge to the world', 'challenge from the world', and 'challenge to entertainment'. This was after the series' acceptance by the FIA . JGTC RACES Races are held as part of a yearly series. Races take place on well known Japanese racetracks like Twin Ring Motegi , Fuji Speedway , and Suzuka Circuit . Races have also been held in Malaysia , China , and most recently California Speedway , although only the races at Sepang International Circuit have counted for points. Races are held either as a single long endurance race of 500km or greater, or as a set of twinned sprint races. THE CARS The cars are divided into two groups: GT500 and GT300 (cars with no more than 500 and 300 horsepower and 224 kW , respectively). These power outputs are capped via the use of intake restricters although some heavier cars are given allowances to run larger restrictors to maintain parity. In order to ensure maximum excitment, both GT500 and GT300 groups are run at the same time although points are awarded separately for each group. GT500 The top class in Super GT, GT500, is dominated by the Big 3 Japanese automakers: Toyota ( Lexus SC430 ), Honda ( NSX ) and Nissan ( Fairlady Z ) with some privateer teams running Ferrari , Lamborghini , or other European marques.. Regulations in GT500 are considerably looser than most GT classifications, and teams are free to change engines with other models made by the manufacturer, change the alignment of the engine, or add forced-induction to models which do not normally have it. The chassis may also be heavily modified, with lightweight tube-frame 'clips' being allowed forward and back of the main cockpit, although the car must overall look similar to its road-going variant. These regulations result in cars which Super GT claims are the fastest GT racing cars in the world, but which many sports-car fans spurn as being outside the limits of 'acceptable' modifications and maintain the orignal driver/passenger compartment. Electronic aids such as ABS, Traction Control and Stability control are not allowed even if fitted to the road going variant and Carbon brakes are prohibited. There are also restrictions regarding placement and size of aerodynamic aids such as wings and spoilers. The choice of tyres is also varied with Bridgestone, Yokohama, Dunlop, Kumho, Michelin and Hankook (new for 2006) available to teams. GT300 Few works teams participate in GT300, so the field tends to be much more varied in terms of types of cars entered; although here, as in many European and North American events, Porsche tends to dominate with its 996GT3 model making up the bulk of the field. Smaller Japanese carmakers such as Mazda and Subaru also participate in this class, as well as more exotic kit-builder cars from the likes of Vemac and ASL . Since 2006, European-style GT cars have chosen to concentrate in this series, with Lamborghini leading the move from the higher division with some success. GT300 cars are much more regulated than their GT500 counterparts, and much more closely resemble road-going versions. Chassis clips are not allowed, nor are engine substitutions or realignments, which results in a much more affordable racing experience for privateers. While engine outputs and modifications are at a lower level than the GT500 cars, the GT300 cars still post competitive times and races are very competitve. PARITY Super GT is fairly unique in its open and blunt statement that it is committed to providing exciting racing first, at the expense of runaway investment by works teams. Cars are therefore very heavily tampered with by the governing body. At the start of the season, each car is fitted with an air intake restrictor to limit power to the stated class maximums, thus restricing excessing development to make a more powerful engine. Weight penalties are assigned to the fastest qualifier in each class, as well as the top three finishers. Pitstops and driver changes during the race are done within mandatory windows, to prevent tactics from dominating a race. All regulations and adjustments to the regulations are publicly announced, in contrast to many other better-known racing promotions. THE DRIVERS Like the series, JGTC drivers are very popular in Japan with a huge international fanbase. One of these drivers who has gained international appeal is Keiichi Tsuchiya who raced for team ARTA and now manages the team. He is also one of the links between JGTC and D1 Grand Prix drift competition. Other drivers who were famously associated with the series and still have active involvement through team ownership are Masahiro Hasemi , Kazuyoshi Hoshino , Aguri Suzuki , Kunimitsu Takahashi with the latter being President of the GT Association who runs the series. The series also attracts drivers who see the series as a stepping stone to the Formula One championship including Ralf Schumacher and drivers who are no longer in F1 and wants to continue their career, famously Erik Comas who was the series most successful driver until he stepped down from his postiion as a number one driver. With very few professional GT300 drivers, many of them have a fanbase due to their car but very few of them have a fanbase as a driver particularly Nobuteru Taniguchi from the Wedsport/Bandoh Racing Project Celica who is also well known as a D1GP competitor. 2006 SERIES SCHEDULE
CHAMPIONS
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