The two KC Motorgroup Ltd. (KCMG) Nissan GT-R NISMO GT3 cars showed race-winning potential during the team’s maiden Bathurst 12 Hour outing, setting the fastest lap and scoring valuable 2019 Intercontinental GT Challenge points after the #18 finished seventh at the Mount Panorama CircuitA strong qualifying saw the #18 Nissan GT-R progress into the top-10 shootout and start from ninth on the grid. Oliver Jarvis immediately made up positions during the start under darkness, emerging in seventh by the time the sun rose at the end of the first hour.
Jarvis handed over to Bathurst debutant Edoardo Liberati in the second hour under a caution period and battled into the top-five. The Italian handed over to Alexandre Imperatori whilst in the podium places, which the car continued to threaten as an excellent strategy unfolded.
Later in the race, Imperatori worked his way into the lead ahead of the last stint where he settled into fifth during a safety car period in the final 30 minutes. Despite a penalty for a driving infringement, the car finished seventh and still on the record-breaking lead lap of 312.
Meanwhile, Katsumasa Chiyo made up three places from 16th on the grid during a strong opening stint in the #35 Nissan GT-R NISMO GT3. The 2015 Bathurst winner handed over to double Super GT champion Tsugio Matsuda who led after a mammoth stint, highlighted by a bold move on the Mountain Straight.
Local hero Joshua Burdon then assumed driving duties and crucially fended off an initial attack from behind, but a technical issue caused the car to stop on track. Burdon managed to bring it back to the garage but fell off the lead lap while the team fixed the issue. The 26-year-old set the fastest lap, finishing 15th after a strong recovery.
Next up is round two of the Intercontinental GT Challenge at Laguna Seca, the California 8 Hours (30 March), in which KCMG will again field two Nissan GT-R cars
Oliver Jarvis, #18 Nissan GT-R NISMO GT3: “This was definitely the toughest race of my life. We struggled with cooling, which meant it was almost impossible to do a full single stint. Without this issue I honestly believe we would have been fighting for the victory, as we had great pace and the strategy and pit stops from the team were perfect. So it’s disappointing to come away with seventh, but there are so many positives to take from the weekend. Thanks again to KCMG and Nissan for giving us such a competitive car.”
Alexandre Imperatori, #18 Nissan GT-R NISMO GT3: “It’s a bit of a bittersweet feeling to finish seventh as we had the potential to do something very special, showed by how we controlled the race at two-thirds distance. Unfortunately the end of the race became a fight for survival with no driver cooling and extreme temperature. However, I’m very proud of what we achieved as a team in these conditions. Everyone did a fantastic job and we can keep our heads held high and look to the coming races positively.”
Edoardo Liberati, #18 Nissan GT-R NISMO GT3: “One of the most beautiful and at the same time hardest racing experience of my career. I m grateful to have finished the race at my debut here and i would have been very happy for this result before the race weekend, but as our pace and team works was good to fight for the win the seventh position feels a bit bitter. Thanks to Kcmg for delivering a great job and to Nissan for the competitive car. Can’t wait to work again with such a strong and positive group.”
Joshua Burdon, #35 Nissan GT-R NISMO GT3: “It was my first time to compete at Bathurst 12 hour and I now have a new favourite circuit! I really enjoyed this event and driving here very much. Unfortunately we didn’t walk away with the results we wanted after leading and running in the top 3 comfortably due to some bad luck, but we showed we have the pace as a team to win races this season. Thank you to my teammates, and the boys and girls at KCMG and Nismo for all of the hard work!”
Tsugio Matsuda, #35 Nissan GT-R NISMO GT3: “The Mount Panorama Circuit was a lot of fun and got faster throughout the weekend. I temporarily led the race after making a few overtakes. However, we had some issues which is regrettable but this is racing. The Nissan GT-R showed very good pace, so I am looking forward to the next race. I really appreciate everyone’s support.”
Katsumasa Chiyo, #35 Nissan GT-R NISMO GT3: “First of all, thank you to KCMG who have been doing a lot of work since Dubai. Bathurst is very special for me. Our race pace was very strong. We could have been fighting for the podium if it weren’t for the bad luck we had. My team-mates both drove very well and adapted well to this difficult circuit. Thanks once again to all involved.”
For more information about KCMG please visit www.kcmg.com.hk. To keep track of all the latest updates, please like KCMG’s Facebook page or follow on Twitter and Instagram.
| Who is KCMG? |
| KC Motorgroup Ltd (KCMG) is an international motorsport services group established in 2007 by Paul Ip. The group, with its headquarters located in Hong Kong, has operations reaching across the Asia Pacific region. KCMG operates closely with many partner companies and racing organisations around the world to provide unrivalled motorsport services, equipment, team management and quality distribution in the automotive industry. For more information on all of the team’s activities please visit www.kcmg.com.hk or email info@kcmg.com.hk. |
