Sakaguchi: “High Expectations” for K-tunes Corvette Debut

Photo: SRO Japan Cup

Sena Sakaguchi says he has “high expectations” for the opening round of the SRO Japan Cup season this weekend at Sportsland Sugo as he prepares to give K-tunes Racing’s new Chevrolet Corvette Z06 GT3.R its race debut.

The Toyota SUPER GT regular will share the No. 96 Corvette with Bronze-rated Kazunori Suenaga in what will mark the Z06 GT3.R’s first event in the hands of a Japanese team.

Sakaguchi will contest this week’s opener as well as the final round at Suzuka in September, with Nirei Fukuzumi — otherwise engaged as part of KCMG’s Nürburgring 24 effort this week — taking over the Fuji and Okayama rounds.

Sugo will mark Sakaguchi’s first appearance in SRO competition, although he has GT3 experience from three seasons in SUPER GT’s GT300 class with the Okayama Toyopet-owned K-tunes squad and two outings in Super Taikyu last year.

Based on his first impressions of the Corvette from a shakedown held at the Miyagi Prefecture track earlier this year, Sakaguchi remarked how different the car felt compared to the Lexus RC F GT3 in which most of his GT3 outings so far have come.

“I wasn’t able to drive in the Fuji test [in late April], but before that we had a shakedown at Sugo,” Sakaguchi told Sportscar365. “It was wet, so I wasn’t able to fully experience the car, but we didn’t have any trouble and it was a meaningful test.

“Of course, it’s completely different from the RC F. Last year with Bingo Racing I had the chance to drive the [Callaway] C7, and it’s also very different to that.

“It’s hard to sum it up in a word, but it’s very easy to drive, you can ride the curbs and the suspension feels really good. It feels like you can drive in any conditions.

“For me, I don’t have much experience of GT3s, only really during my time in GT300, so it’s very exciting, and the car feels like it has a lot of potential. I think we can have high expectations and I am really looking forward to it.”

Sakaguchi added that he feels a sense of pride representing Corvette in Japan, and feels his profile has been boosted by the opportunity to race the Z06 GT3.R.

“A lot of people have said to me, ‘you’re driving a Corvette right?’,” he said. “I think there are a lot of Corvette fans in Japan and fans of American cars in general, and it’s been nice to have such messages of support from the fans.

“The official Corvette account started following me on social media, and they have mentioned K-tunes, which is also helping attract attention.

“The first race is the one that has the most impact, so I really want to get good results. Most important is to show the speed in qualifying, I think.”

As well as two SRO Japan Cup rounds, Sakaguchi is also set to race in this year’s Suzuka 1000km, sharing K-tunes’ RC F GT3 with two yet-to-be confirmed teammates.

“Last year I watched the race live, and it was interesting to see the top GT3 drivers from around the world attack Suzuka, taking different lines from normal,” said Sakaguchi. “I’m really looking forward to battling against them.

“Also for me, I have many happy memories racing the RC F with K-tunes, and it’s thanks to them I was able to step up to GT500 and Super Formula. The team has a lot of experience, so I’m confident we’ll be able to fight.”

At a time some of his fellow members of the Toyota SUPER GT roster are gaining GT3 experience overseas, Sakaguchi expressed an interest in doing likewise.

“I’d love to do more GT3 racing in the future, as it looks fun,” he said. “The style of battling is closer than Super Formula or GT500, so I think it would be a great experience.”

Source: Sports Car 365