ARTA releases this season's team organization; No.1 NSX goes to Firman/Izawa

Garaiya runs new chassis in anticipation of their first GT300 title
 
On February 18th, ARTA (Autobacs Racing Team Aguri) held their 2008 team organization release in Tokyo. Last year, ARTA won their first SUPER GT GT500 class title. They announced that they will once again enter the GT500 class in the No.1 ARTA NSX and in the GT300 class with the No.43 ARTA Garaiya.

ARTA's SUPER GT drivers are Ralph Firman, the current GT500 class champion with the number "1" and newbie Takuya Izawa. For the No.43 car in the GT300 class, they have Morio Nitta and Shinichi Takagi who are in their 10th year driving together. In addition, ARTA support drivers Tetsuya Tanaka and Kyosuke Mineo will enter the GT300 class.

ARTA NSX is aiming for the GT500 title again. Since Daisuke Ito transferred to another team, their new first driver is former Formula 1 driver Firman.

Using a cheat sheet, Firman spoke in Japanese, saying, "Last year was a good season. This year will be even better. Thank you for your support," showing his potential as a new team leader.

23 year-old Izawa has had the support of ARTA since his days racing karts, and has been through Formula Dream and the All-Japan F3 Championship. He is ARTA's expected hero.
Last year at Round 6, the Pokka 1000km at Suzuka, he was chosen to be the 3rd driver of the REAL NSX and contributed to his first SUPER GT team finish, coming within the top 5.
With this deserved recognition, he has been handed a berth in the No.1 car as his first regular seat. He commented, "I will join forces with Ralph and the team so we can win the title again this year."

Aguri Suzuki, ARTA's producer, who selected Izawa said, "Using a young driver for the number 1 car is not a simple decision. But there are drivers who can perform well under pressure. [At tests], Izawa's solo driving times are not bad at all. SUPER GT is a category that requires skill and experience. Izawa might have a tough time in the beginning, but I'm sure he will do well," he said, smiling.

Last year, ARTA won the GT500 title in their 10th year of trying. As producer Suzuki said, "Our only regret from last year is that our Garaiya missed out on the GT300 title. We are going to put a lot of effort in to the Garaiya and winning the title this season." ARTA is going for the title with the Garaiya sports car, developed by the company that supports them, Autobacs.

As if to confirm this, the Garaiya has a brand new chassis and a full model change.
apr's Hiroto Kaneso, one of the engineers in charge of development said, "The only parts that are same as last year are in the transmission, only roughly about 10% of the machine is the same." The new Garaiya uses the latest carbon technology to increase strength and lower weight.

With the support of Michelin, they have installed larger diameter tires. They have incorporated aerodynamic concepts that are used in GT500 machines and the latest GT300 cars.