Photograph Credit: TF Sport
Koizumi begins seventh as each TF Sport Corvettes make Hyperpole for first time
GOTEMBA, Shizuoka, Japan (September 14, 2024) – Tom Van Rompuy and TF Sport’s No. 81 Chevrolet Corvette Z06 GT3.R will begin on the entrance row of the LMGT3 class for the Six Hours of Fuji as each of the crew’s Corvettes made the 10-minute Hyperpole session for the primary time this yr.
Van Rompuy posted the second-fastest time in Saturday’s 10-minute Hyperpole session that set the highest 10 spots on the grid forward of the seventh spherical for the FIA World Endurance Championship. He set a greatest lap of 1:40.975 (101.097 mph) within the Corvette that he shares with Rui Andrade and manufacturing unit driver Charlie Eastwood to overlook the Z06 GT3.R’s second pole place of the season by simply 0.082 seconds.
The largest story, nonetheless, was each TF Sport Corvettes making Hyperpole, due to Hiroshi Koizumi’s sturdy efficiency within the No. 82 Z06 GT3.R. The Japanese driver superior for the primary time whereas Van Rompuy completed within the top-10 for the third straight occasion and fifth time this season.
Koizumi’s greatest lap at his house observe got here on his remaining effort – a 1:41.310 (100.724 mph) – within the Corvette that he’ll drive with Sebastien Baud and Corvette manufacturing unit driver Daniel Juncadella. It equaled one of the best beginning spot for the No. 82 Z06 GT3.R of the season, matching the place on the 24 Hours of Le Mans.
Each Corvettes have been inside 0.3 seconds within the first 12-minute qualifying session forward of Hyperpole, displaying the continued power in tempo and efficiency of the Z06 GT3.R.
TF Sport is coming off a powerful displaying two weeks in the past at Circuit of The Americas, the place the No. 82 completed eighth in school – due to Juncadella’s sturdy efficiency within the remaining three hours – and the No. 81 ran as excessive as second earlier than being hit by one other LMGT3 competitor.
As evidenced by qualifying, momentum is on the facet of TF Sport heading to Fuji Speedway. It’s a observe the crew is aware of properly, having scored two race wins, a runner-up and a pair of pole positions in its earlier 4 journeys to the two.84-mile, 16-turn circuit lower than two hours exterior Tokyo.
The Six Hours of Fuji is scheduled for 11 a.m. Japanese Customary Time (JST) on Sunday / 10 p.m. ET on Saturday. MotorTrend TV will air stay tv protection from 9:30-11 p.m. ET on Saturday plus 3-4:30 a.m. ET on Sunday. Full stay streaming protection of the race shall be obtainable on the FIA WEC app and the MAX app within the U.S. Radio Le Mans additionally will stream audio protection of Sunday’s race.
TF SPORT POST-QUALIFYING DRIVER QUOTES
TOM VAN ROMPUY, NO. 81 CHEVROLET CORVETTE Z06 GT3.R – STARTS SECOND IN LMGT3:
“It’s an excellent beginning place. Because of the crew for holding on engaged on the setup to present me a very good automobile. It felt actually good and felt good on the lap. It’s actually tight, however we’re on the entrance row. It’s an excellent place from the place to start out tomorrow, and hopefully we will achieve another.
“It was a very tight qualifying session, and everybody was bunched tight collectively. We’ve got a very sturdy automobile particularly for the race tomorrow. We’re in a very, actually good window. So I’m actually proud of the consequence at the moment, and we are going to combat for a podium and attempt to go for a win tomorrow.”
RUI ANDRADE, NO. 81 TF SPORT CHEVROLET CORVETTE Z06 GT3.R:
“Issues are actually good up to now. FP1 was somewhat tough for everybody as a result of the observe was fairly soiled. Because it cleaned up and into FP2, I feel the automobile steadiness shifted loads. For us, we realized the automobile remains to be fairly sturdy. From the modifications we made already for COTA, we noticed that we had quite a lot of tempo and have been proud of the development issues had taken. We’ve maintained that for Fuji. It’s a very totally different observe with totally different traits, however the Corvette nonetheless appears fast and robust in comparison with our competitors, so I’m proud of that.”
(Race prospects) “It’s onerous to say. Everybody at all times has somewhat bit left within the bag. Crucial factor is the sensation that we’ve got within the automobile and the automobile steadiness. We have been fairly glad on the finish of FP2. There are nonetheless some small tweaks to be made, nevertheless it’s at all times good when you’ll be able to finish a Friday on a excessive word and also you don’t have a lot left to do on setup with Free Apply Three and qualifying. Now it’s about fine-tuning issues. It was hotter at the moment and nearer to race circumstances so it was good to see for our race setup.”
HIROSHI KOIZUMI, NO. 82 TF SPORT CHEVROLET CORVETTE Z06 GT3.R – STARTS SEVENTH IN LMGT3:
“I used to be glad to get into my first Hyperpole! I used to be aiming for pole place however ended up with P7. In tomorrow’s race, we are going to win it! That is my first race at Fuji in a yr however in a brand new automobile with the Corvette and my crew at TF Sport. So I’m feeling each excited and nervous! I haven’t had superb outcomes up to now this yr, however I’ll do my greatest to attain a barely higher consequence for the Japanese followers right here at my house observe. Our goal is for the rostrum and hopefully the highest step.”
DANIEL JUNCADELLA, NO. 82 TF SPORT CHEVROLET CORVETTE Z06 GT3.R:
“Since COTA, we’ve got been very aggressive. The Corvette has been very good to drive, and we’ve got been up there for each session. Sadly we couldn’t get a consequence within the COTA race resulting from some penalties. Now right here for Hiroshi at Fuji, he can actually really feel it’s his house race and he has some additional efficiency in him! It is a nice beginning place, and we’ve got excessive expectations for tomorrow.”
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