The dreadful events of the 9.0-magnitude earthquake that struck northern Japan not only brought everyday life to a standstill but it also threw a spanner in the works of the various motorsports fraternities that were just about to begin their 2011 seasons. Super GT was also amongst the effected, with the scheduled opening round at Okayama at the end of March not coming to be as well as the test sessions that were scheduled in as well.
Nonetheless, a month later and Super GT is slowly but surely getting back on track with the GT Association announcing the revised schedule for the year. The season will now kick off at the end of April at Fuji Speedway but that 'opening' round will still be refered to as 'Round 2' with the supposed opening round at Okayama being slotted in three weeks later. Following that, the Super GT extravaganza will then make its way to our shores for the third round at Sepang International Circuit. All the rounds after that remain unchanged.
A theme has been set up for the season that aims to show support for the victims of the national disaster. Part of the proceedings from each race will be channelled towards a relief fund. Furthermore, charity events and fund raising will be ongoing during the off-track activities such as pit-walks. All the cars on the grid will also be fitted with stickers on the windscreens with the slogan 'Ganbarou Nippon,' in Kanji of course.
As the country us still suffering from an energy crunch due to the nuclear power plant disaster that was a result of the earthquake, a symbolic effort to conserve energy has been voted in. This will see the longer races on the calendar shortened such as ROund 2 at Fuji will be run for 300km instead of 400km, Okayama will be cut to 250km from 300km and the round at Suzuka will be reduced to 500km instead of the regular 700km.
Revised Schedule for 2011:
Round 2 4/30-5/1 Fuji Speedway
Round 1 5/21-5/22 Okayama Circuit
Round 3 6/18-6/19 Sepang International Circuit
Round 4 7/30-7/31 Sportland Sugo
Round 5 8/20-8/21 Suzuka Circuit
Round 6 9/10-9/11 Fuji Speedway
Round 7 10/1-10/2 Autopolis
Round 8 10/15-10/16 Twin Ring Motegi
Special Round 11/12-11/13 Fuji Speedway (Sprint Cup)
Source: 7Tune
