GAINER came up to the stage of the sportscar race in 1999. GAINER was active in various sportscar races until now. Not only I participated in SUPER GT and the SUPER Taikyu series, but also GAINER introduced DOME S101HB/Mugen LMP1 car in 2005 and challenged Le Mans 24-Hour Race by All Japan system.
We groped for a challenge to Le Mans 24-Hour Race afterwards.
Of course, assuming the top category challenge from the LMP1 class, we worked out a plan. Unfortunately the current LMP1 class is the category only in the works team of the car manufacturer. For the private team like us, you must judge the current LMP1 class to be the category that cannot find possibility. We tried to realize the participation in a war from the LMP1 class for a while by ascertaining participation in a war time. However, in the LMP1 class, competition intensified year by year between the works teams of the car manufacturer and has completely become the category only for works teams in 2012. For the private team like us, it is the situation that should be discouraged very much.
● LMP2 which is the top category that is realistic for a private team
We always paid attention to LMP2 category renewed in 2011 having big possibility for a private team. The new LMP2 class is a category for the private team. An upper limit price is set to various parts while the use only for homologated engines is permitted that participation of the works team of the makers is strict prohibition and prevents excessive competition. There is the situation that an LMP1 class becomes the category only for works teams, and, by private teams of the world, LMP2 gathers big interest as a realistic top category.
● LMP2 of 2013 and 2014
We conducted various investigations for participation in LMP2 after Le Mans 24-Hour Race of this year. In 2014, current LMP1 and LMP2 category introduce new regulation. Two old and new machines perform a blend race in 2014, and the race is carried out. The judgment of the superiority and inferiority of LMP2 until 2013 and LMP2 after 2014 was important.
Width is narrow 10cm conventionally, and the LMP2 car of 2014 rises by the amount of car. LMP2 is more advantageous until 2013, if I make a machine with the same technique level.
When the 2014 car on the other hand considers a technological change because it is completely developed newly, the car has possibility in 2014. However, the outbreak of the trouble is expected, too. We private teams cannot afford to develop a new machine on behalf of a constructor. Unfortunately we do not get a clear answer now for 2014 car and 2013 car which of the car is an advantage either. Therefore we decided that we conducted a careful investigation until 2014 because old and new machines performed a blend race in 2014.
■ The reopening, GAINER to the top of the sportscar race challenge
● The first step, GAINER challenge to WEC Fuji with Zytek
Because WEC revived in Fuji Speedway in 2012, we expected participation in WEC Fuji. Therefore we decided that we participated in WEC Fuji in this year as the first step of the investigation for LMP2 until 2014.
Four constructors enter LMP2 now. We have many choices when we include it to the 2014 rule car. The high fighting power is the minimum condition, but, for we private teams, it is the most important point surely to run. It is big, and we must change a plan if we must develop the car which does not work directly by a hand of our own expressly. As a result of having investigated the past results, we judged the LMP2 Car who ran most surely with Zytek Z11SN. It is the LMP2 car which Zytek Z11SN is based on the Zytek 04S series proud of high popularity to as the LMP675 Car who broke LMP900, and was developed. There is no that I retired by the mechanical trouble of own until now. This high reliability is big charm for a private team.
● Nissan V8 engine
Advantage of Zytek is to develop not only the machine but also the engine together. Originally the LMP2 strongest engine is 4.5ℓV8 of Nissan used in GT500 of SUPER GT. You should choose Nissan V8 if you do not have an adventure. Because Zytek oneself tuned up the Nissan V8, I judged it if I deserved to be you from an aspect of the matching including an engine and a paddle shift. Zytek already tested the body of the new aerodynamics package which Zytek designed for a sprint race newly in Snetterton on August 22. GAINER is going to use this new body in WEC Fuji.
● The tie-up with Greaves, The first driver is Katsuyuki Hiranaka
Our purpose of the present is an investigation into future LMP. One cooperating with an existing excellent racing team is advantageous than ourselves purchase a machine and run it. In a racing team to make run Zytek, it is GreavesMotorsport that I can judge that it is the most excellent. Greaves Motorsport is the excellent racing team which won Le Mans 24-Hour Race and LMP2 title of ILMC(Forerunner of WEC)with the team establishment two years ago.
In 2013 Greaves runs Zytek in not only WEC but also ELMS. One cooperated with Nissan in Le Mans and ran by Nissan color, and one already cooperated with Caterham.
We decided a tie-up with GreavesMotorsport partly because the staff was it in acquaintance for many years. The plan that we decided is only participation in a war to WEC Fuji of 2013 now. The contract with GreavesMotorsport is only WEC Fuji currently, too. After WEC Fuji, we will work out the 2014 plan carefully.
We appointed Katsuyuki Hiranaka who controlled GAINER Mercedes as the first driver in SUPER GT. For Katsuyuki Hiranaka, it is first WEC and LMP Car. Katsuyuki Hiranaka may draw potential of Zytek to enough partly because he was active in FormuraNippon. We judged Katuyuki to be a driver appropriate for WEC to have the experience that participated in F3 in Europe. We are choosing two staying drivers now. It will be decided soon.
Source : Gainer