Lamborghini takes victory - in Super GT finale at Motegi with JLOC

2023-11-05

Kogure and Motojima beat the conditions for first EVO2 win in Japan

Lamborghini recorded its first Super GT victory since 2019 as Takashi Kogure and Yuya Motojima prevailed for JLOC in the final round of the 2023 season at Motegi.

The success was also a breakthrough achievement for the Lamborghini Huracán GT3 EVO2, introduced to the championship mid-season, claiming victory for the first time in Japan.

Kogure and Motojima began the weekend strongly by setting the second-fastest time in free practice, just over two-tenths of a second off the leading pace. Come qualifying, it was a similar story as the Lamborghini Huracán GT3 EVO2 was again second, across the two-part cumulative session.

Conditions were dry at the start of the race and the #88 machine held station behind the leading Toyota in the early stages with Motojima at the wheel before making a move just before the pit-stop phase to assume the lead.

From there, it was a case of managing the lead and, having swapped with Kogure, the JLOC Lamborghini maintained its advantage over the chasing Mercedes. Despite a late rain shower which made things less than ideal, the #88 remained in charge until the end, coming home a little over seven seconds clear at the flag.

The victory marks the first of the season for Lamborghini in Japan's premier GT championship and the first in the category for four years. The last time a Huracán won in Super GT came in the prestigious Fuji 500, with Kiyoto Fujinami, André Couto and Tsubasa Takahashi.