Lexus Faces Ballast Challenge in Motegi 500 Round, Elgore's Championship Lead Defense Begins

Motegi, September 14 — The Hololive GT3 Japan Series heads to the historic Twin Ring Motegi for Round 3 of the 2024 season with both the Tsuyo and Zako Series races taking center stage. Following two exciting rounds at Tsukuba and Sepang, where drivers battled unpredictable weather and Lexus' dominance, all eyes now turn to Motegi, a track notorious for its technical demands and long straights that could shake up the current points standings.

Motegi's blend of sweeping corners and lengthy straights will test the full spectrum of a GT3 car’s capabilities. In particular, the Zako Series drivers, many of whom have showcased resilience and surprising pace in the first two rounds, will look to leverage Motegi's layout to disrupt the championship's tight standings. Meanwhile, the Tsuyo Series sees a battle of attrition as Lexus drivers in particular face the consequences of newly imposed ballasts, which could heavily impact race strategy and tire management.

In the Zako Series, Shawn Goh (Ichijou Ririka) has taken charge with his Lexus machine, storming to victory at the Sepang 400 and leading the championship with 375 points. However, with the introduction of a 150kg ballast across all Lexus cars, Goh’s supremacy could be in jeopardy as teams like Nissan and Honda seek to capitalize on the weight penalties.

Rival Shaneil Marcman (Juufuutei Raden) is just 50 points behind Goh, showing consistency with podium finishes in both Tsukuba and Sepang. Meanwhile, Riba (Shishiro Botan), who took a memorable first win at Tsukuba, sits in third, only 67 points off the lead, eager to rebound after a challenging Sepang race.

Notably, newcomer Masa Raido will make his Hololive GT3 debut in the Zako Series, replacing Liam Kai in the Todoroki Hajime Nissan. Raido’s performance will be one to watch as the team seeks to claw back points after a lackluster start to the season.

In the Tsuyo Series, Rim Elgore has been the class of the field, with back-to-back wins at Tsukuba and Sepang catapulting him to 400 points and a commanding lead in the championship. However, Elgore's success has drawn the ire of other teams, as his Lexus car, along with all others in the lineup, will be subject to the hefty ballast.

Raijin Kacyznski (Yuzuki Choco), who sits second with 325 points, will look to close the gap at Motegi. Kacyznski’s consistent pace has kept him in the title hunt, but with the ballast likely to slow down the Lexus machines, he could face increased pressure from the Nissan and Honda teams this weekend.

Behind the top two, Tyler Williams (Amane Kanata), Vladislav Domaschnev (Aki Rosenthal), and championship hopeful Mohd Shazren Redza (Himemori Luna) all sit within striking distance of the top three. Shazren, who struggled at Sepang due to fuel strategy issues, will be determined to reclaim lost ground, and with the ballasts in place, this could be his golden opportunity.

The Motegi 500 promises a weekend of high-stakes racing, with Lexus teams fighting against their ballast-induced disadvantages and Nissan and Honda drivers eyeing their chance to take control of the championship. The technical layout of Motegi, along with the weight penalties imposed on Lexus, sets the stage for dramatic position changes and strategic battles.

With just two rounds left after Motegi, the pressure is mounting. Every driver and team will be eager to maximize their points haul this weekend to solidify their championship aspirations heading into the final race at Suzuka.

Top 5 Zako Series Standings (after Round 2):

1. Shawn Goh (Ichijou Ririka) – 375 points

2. Shaneil Marcman (Juufuutei Raden) – 325 points

3. Riba (Shishiro Botan) – 308 points

4. Johan Sinful (Yukihana Lamy) – 260 points

5. Callum Gibbens (Roboco-san) – 193 points

Top 5 Tsuyo Series Standings (after Round 2):

1. Rim Elgore (Oozora Subaru) – 400 points

2. Raijin Kacyznski (Yuzuki Choco) – 325 points

3. Tyler Williams (Amane Kanata) – 198 points

4. Vladislav Domaschnev (Aki Rosenthal) – 197 points

5. Ed Skye (Kazama Iroha) – 151 points