SUPER GT Round.1 OKAYAMA GT 300km RACE LEXUS LC500 Achieves Complete Victory at Debut Race

GT500 class

KeePer TOM'S LC500 No.37 co-piloted by Ryo HIRAKAWA／Nick CASSIDY won victory at the debut race with the all-new Lexus LC500 at the Autobacs Super GT 2017 series at Okayama International Circuit.

LEXUS LC500 swept the podium and monopolized rank#1 through #6 at the debut race.

GT300 class

JMS P. MU LM Corsa RC F GT3 No.51 co-piloted by Yuichi NAKAYAMA and Sho TSUBOI finished eighth at their debut race to give Lexus a first top-10 result in the GT300 class with the all-new Lexus RC F GT3.

Ryo HIRAKAWA(KeePer TOM'S LC500 No.37)

The most important factor was that Nick passed the car in front of us and became top position.The timing was good because we just got started and the tires were not damaged with heat.
Nick was at the top when I changed but I went out the pit. I found No.38,No.36 were ahead of us.
It was a struggle to pass them. After that, the tires we chose for the second half of the race were too hard and I always noticed No.6 car in the back mirror. But the safety car made it a little easier by reducing the laps. We did have some luck and the team and Nick did a really great job, which I think contributed to this victory.

Nick CASSIDY (KeePer TOM'S LC500 No.37)

This is unbelievable. It was a perfect way to start the season.
I realized through the tests that team had done a fantastic job while off-season. Races last year gave me progress and confidence, and I entered this season with expectations. To be honest, I did not expect to win from the beginning but am very happy.

GT500 CLASS RESULTS

GT300 CLASS RESULTS

Drivers Standings (GT500)

Team Standings (GT500)