The Crowd FavoritesWhile the GT500 is the cream of the crop in terms of JGTC racing, we have found that our readers' eyes focus on the GT300 class vehicles. For starters, the sponsors are closely related to our readers. Companies like A'PEXi, Cusco and RE Amemiya use the GT300 class for product development for parts that we use on our street cars. Similarly, Honda, Toyota and Nissan use the GT500 as well as GT300 to develop new engine and chassis platforms for future generations of supercars. While the GT300 is considered to be the more minor league racing class, most of the cars in this class are platforms that we can relate to. In GT500 you have the Supras, 350Z and NSX, which still hit home in our industry though. For the most part, both the Z and the NSX run engines that come with the production models, but with hardcore modifications. The Supra, on the other hand, uses a Land Cruiser V8 engine-which is one car we really haven't thought of as being linked to performance. You might still have trouble relating the GT300 to street car racing because the two Celica entries are both rear wheel drive and the RE RX7 runs a 20B motor not commonly found in RX7's. But For the most part, GT300 is on a level that we can relate to.
For the most part, these cars run the same blocks found in your normal street car with heavy modifications. Both classes are required to run the same engine manufacturer as the chassis manufacturer. The choice of engines can be chosen from any vehicle in that manufacturer's lineup. Modifications are extremely intense considering that the 350Z's vq35 and the NSX's C32 engines are in NA trim from the factory but twin turbocharged on the GT500 cars. As we stated earlier Nissan, Toyota and Honda use GT500 for new engine development, so you never know, the next Supra might be V8 powered and the next Z or NSX might come turbocharged.
Watching JGTC on TV gives you all the action that happens on the track, but if you sit right at turn one at the race, you will feel what JGTC is all about. If the sound of the engines doesn't grab your attention, then the body styling will definitely catch your eye. Last but not least, even though the JGTC race is headed towards Fontana, California for an exhibition race, it is absolutely necessary to pay the extra money for the pit walk pass just to meet some of the drivers and get a closer look at the cars. See you at Fontana!
Dome: A Childs DreamJapan's biggest name in motorsportsIn Japan, there is aftermarket performance and then there is Dome. While most of our readers are into performance parts for their particular car, the flip side to bolt on parts is a full-fledged race shop. In my book, aftermarket styling comes from the heart of motor racing, and when it comes to hardcore motor racing Dome is the company that sets the standard in JGTC. From their carbon fiber facility to their wind tunnel the company is known for their designs in the auto racing world.
While Dome designs everything from their own streetcars to racecars, it's their wind tunnel knowledge and flawless carbon fiber work that put them in high ranks in the motorsport world. They campaign in every type of motor sports from open wheel racing with Japan F3 and F3000 to joint ventures with a few different IRL teams. Not stopping there, Dome also runs their S101 chassis in the 24 hours of Le Mans as well as campaign their Takata/Dome NSX in JGTC. While Dome runs their own NSX in JGTC, they are also responsible for building the chassis and bodies for all the GT500 NSXs in JGTC.