Sugo’s new pitlane exit branded “dangerous”

The Miyagi Prefecture monitor, which hosted the fourth spherical of the Tremendous System season earlier this month, modified its pitlane exit as a part of a wider refurbishment of the pit and paddock advanced, the primary part of which was accomplished earlier this 12 months.

In addition to the pitlane itself being widened by two metres, drivers exiting the pits now merge again on to the monitor on the exterior of the Flip three left-hander, as an alternative of alongside the brief chute between Turns 2 and three, as was beforehand the case (pictured under in 2020).

 

Whereas the Sugo Tremendous System race handed with out incident, drivers famous the elevated chance for collisions involving drivers leaving the pits, who typically can not inform if there are vehicles on monitor approaching them on account of poor lateral visibility.

Dandelion Racing driver Nirei Fukuzumi, who gained the race, informed Motorsport.com: “I believe it’s harmful. In comparison with Flip 2, the speeds are larger in Flip three, however when a automotive [exiting the pits] is merging on to the monitor, you’ve no alternative however to decelerate.

“It’s dangerous to have a automotive merging the place the monitor is so slim. Inevitably, the particular person behind [on the main part of the track] is the one whose job it’s keep away from contact, but when the motive force forward [exiting the pits] is on chilly tyres, he should brake early, and that’s harmful.”

Nakajima Racing’s Naoki Yamamoto added: “In relation to merging, precedence is generally given to the vehicles on the principle course, however you possibly can’t see out of the aspect of those vehicles, so after I merge [exiting the pits] I don’t know if there’s a automotive behind me.”

Sugo will begin its second part of works within the 2021-2022 low season, however earlier than then the monitor will host Japan’s different premier home collection, SUPER GT.

Tremendous System factors chief Tomoki Nojiri, who companions Fukuzumi on the ARTA Honda squad in SUPER GT, stated he hoped adjustments could be made previous to the race on September 12.

Nojiri informed Motorsport.com: “For this race we needed to work with what we got, and due to everybody being cautious there have been no main accidents. However these adjustments haven’t resulted in improved security, so in the event that they don’t make additional adjustments, will probably be powerful.

“Particularly, I don’t assume it would work for SUPER GT, which is coming to Sugo in just a few months, so they should make some enhancements as quickly as potential.”