Archive for June, 2008
SGT Round 4: Andre, Juichi and team go to the top of the PETRONAS Twin Towers
2008 SUPER GT CHAMPIONSHIP
News, June 2008
Andre Lotterer, Juichi Wakisaka and team go to the top, of the PETRONAS Twin Towers
Kuala Lumpur, 19 June 2008 – As a prelude to the team’s round four outing at the Super GT International Series Malaysia at the Sepang International Circuit on June 22nd, PETRONAS Toyota Team Tom’s drivers Andre Lotterer (DEU) and Juichi Wakisaka (JPN) as well as members of the team’s management took a time out to tour the PETRONAS Twin Towers.
Despite having raced in Malaysian for the series over the past several years, this was the team’s very first visit to the landmark towers. In addition to the tour of the towers, the duo were also given a tour of PETRONAS’ interactive science centre, PETROSAINS.
Andre (left) and Juichi (right) play the mind-game at PETROSAINS’ Speed exhibition
The 40-minute tour of the centre saw both drivers tour the centre’s latest exhibits at the Space exhibition as well as participate in a number of activities including the go-kart simulator and mind game at the centre’s SPEED exhibit. The science discovery centre was created as a means of presenting the science and technology of the petroleum industry in a fun and interactive way, in addition to being a way to stimulate interest in science and technology especially among school children.
Andre test drives the go-kart simulator at PETROSAINS
Following the tour, the duo were later entertained by the musicians at the Malaysian Philharmonic Orchestra during the team’s visit to the Dewan Filharmonik PETRONAS. The drivers and team management were given a rare glimpse of the orchestra while in rehearsal under the baton of conductor Kees Bakels.
Andre holds a priceless 1671 Nicola Amati violin while Juichi shows off a Stradivarius 1701 violin during the visit to the Italian treasures exhibition
The drivers were also given an exclusive tour of the Italian treasures exhibition of precious string instruments from the ancient and modern Italian school of violin making. The exhibition featured an array of string instruments including a 1701 Stradivarius made by Antonio Stradivari; a 1671 Nicola Amati violin and a circa 1500 Gasparo da Salò Viola, one of the oldest in the collection. The visit was concluded with a photo-session at the foot of the PETRONAS Twin Towers.
Andre and Juichi “cool-off” at the foot of the towers
FN Round 4 OKAYAMA: Andre bags another 2nd place finish at Okayama
Weather:
Saturday Qualifying: Cloudy but dry / Temperature: Ambient 22°C, Track 29°C
Sunday Raceday: Cloudy but dry / Temperature: Ambient 27°C, Track 40°C
Circuit: Okayama International Circuit ( Mimasaka, Okayama pref. ) 3.703Km×68Lap
Okayama Podium for Lotterer
PETRONAS TEAM TOM’S drivers Andre Lotterer (Car No.36) bagged another second place podium finish at the fourth round of the 2008 Formula Nippon Championship at the Okayama International Circuit on Sunday. With his main competitor Tsugio Matsuda retiring, the result has boosted the German’s standing in the championship title race. Also finishing in the points, teammate Seiji Ara (Car No. 37) finished 10th.
Setting a competitive pace all through the Friday free practice and qualifying, Andre Lotterer was able to set the 2nd fastest times in both qualifying sessions 1 and 2. With the top five drivers all within five-tenths of each other in the third qualifying session, the German had to settle with a fourth position start barely six-one hundredths of a second off the third place driver. Teammate Seiji Ara meanwhile qualified to start from 11th.
Making the most of the dirty side of the track, Lotterer was able to gain a position moving himself up to 3rd. He managed to gain another position when one of the drivers ahead of him had to serve a penalty. The German was handed the race lead from Lap 6 when race leader Matsuda had to pit due to a problem. However, he was unable to hang on to the lead despite a quick pit job and had to settle for second behind PIAA Nakajima driver Loic Duval. Despite his best efforts, Lotterer could not close the gap to Duval and settled for second position through to the chequered flag.
Starting from 11th, teammate Ara was also able to capitalise on pit strategy to gain position on track. An early stop in the 68-lap race allowed Ara to gain a position to move up to tenth, the last points paying position. Though the Japanese struggled with tyre grip towards the end, he hung on to finish 10th.
Andre Lotterer (Car No. 36)
“I should feel happy to finish 2nd again but I really felt that we could have won this race. We fought as best as we could again, both through the quick pit stop strategy and my own strategy out on track. On the positive side, the 12 points from this race means that I have gained valuable ground on Matsuda in the championship race. This is definitely a boost to my preparation and the aim for a win at the next round in Suzuka!”
Nobuhide Tachi, Team Director
“Andre ( Lotterer) did a great job once again. He was fast and his performance was very good at Okayama. As for his pace, we need to find out why Andre could not keep the lead during the race. Overall, his performance has been really good. (Seiji) Ara managed to collect another point this weekend despite the difficulties he was facing with the tyres not having any grip towards the final phase of the race. Overall, we need to find more speed for Suzuka if we are to secure the win, and shift the direction of the championship in our favour.”
Having already completed four rounds, the 2008 Formula Nippon Championship heads into a four-week break and will return with Round 5 at the Suzuka circuit from 11 – 13 July.
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