Weight PenaltyPerhaps the most controversial matter in JGTC is weight penalties. In JGTC sanctioned events, one must first qualify with 43 other competitors. What makes the series such an interesting event is how the JGTC awards weight penalties to the top three contenders in an effort to make the championship runs more competitive. All three take on a mandatory 10kg for that specific race. On top of that, the top three finishers in the race receive additional weight penalties for the next series: 50kg for first place, 30kg for second, and 20kg for third. Additional weight penalties have been issued on the NSX. For the 2004 season JAF implemented a 25kg (555.12-lb) weight penalty on the NSX over the rest of the competition because the front nose of the NSX was considered narrower than its competitors, such as the Nissan 350Z and Toyota Supra. JAF justifies the penalty by saying that the production Honda NSX sports a smaller frontal face area in OEM trim. At the same time JAF hit JGTC vehicles, once again with controversial rules, as they tacked on an extra 50kg on any vehicle running a mid-ship engine. Think about it, who else besides the NSX runs mid-ship in the GT500 class? Exactly! Shady!
Let's review the weight penalty for all vehicles: * By qualifying number one, two, or three, you take on an additional 10kg for that specific race.
* By crossing the checked flag in first, second or third, one is awarded a weight penalty of 50kg, 30kg, or 20kg respectively.
Now compare the weight penalties the NSX must endure in the same series as compared to their competitors:* The same penalties apply for qualifying or finishing in first, second or third place.
* A mid-ship car must take on an additional 50kg.
* A car with a smaller front facial feature in factory OEM specs must take on an additional 25kg.
So, the NSX takes on 75kg more than its competitors, and could be penalized up to 135kg (297.6-lb).
Under rules, the maximum weight penalty given to a specific vehicle is 120kg for GT500 cars but that does not include the front facial and mid-ship penalty, a mandatory weight penalty for the NSX. This bring the car to a maximum weight penalty if 135kg, and in race terms, 135kg can be the difference between leading the pack or falling to last place.