I've been fortunate enough to work in the JGTC/SUPER GT for the past eight seasons, and during that time I've seen a fair share of interpretations of Honda's gorgeous NSX. The luminescent green of the Takata Dome NSX looks superb with the sunlight reflecting off of it in my opinion.
In 2007, the newest team to enter the GT500 class, Real Racing, made their debut in this absolutely stunning looking car. This image is of Toshihiro Kaneishi qualifying the car at Sportsland SUGO.
Here's the same machine in its third season, last year – looking just as good only completely different.
Speaking of last season, here's Loic Duval powering through the rain at Okayama, the opening round of the year.
But NSX entries weren't found solely in the top class of the JGTC/SUPER GT, there have also been a handful of GT300-spec entries (the lack of Formula 1-style airbox is an instant giveaway)
It's a car I never get tired of.
Not only did it look the part, the NSX really was a force to be reckoned with, winning something like 36 races throughout the 13 seasons it was campaigned. This image is of Andre Lotterer at Suzuka in 2004 (the last season of the JGTC), coming out of the Casio Triangle and about to blast down the main straight.
Here's a shot from Autopolis in the same year, 2004 – this is of another one of the GT300-class NSXs, the #16 car that took the title in the incredibly capable hands of Tetsuya Yamano. He went on to take GT300 titles the following two years also, each one in different cars! What were they, you ask? Toyota MR-S and Mazda RX-7. It's something that's never been repeated by any other driver in either class of the series.
Back to GT500, and this image of the PIAA Nakajima Racing entry at Sportsland SUGO in 2008.
And now the rear end of yet another NSX, the iconic dayglo orange AUTOBACS entry…
OK, time for a tall one! Loic Duval on his way down to turn three at Autopolis, the greatest circuit in all of Japan in my humble opinion. I'll be doing a post on the track later in the year, so stay tuned for that.
Back to 2004 and the GT300 class. This is the Privee Zurich NSX; the team that now runs the Mooncraft Shiden.
Here's another great circuit in Japan that gets little coverage overseas, Sportsland SUGO. A great, compact track that's really demanding and always produces interesting races.
This is the Takata Dome car in heavy rain at Autopolis.
Daisuke Ito heads out of his pit at Fuji Speedway in preparation for Super Lap.
Here's Sebastien Philippe powering through the cresting chicane at SUGO – an unbeatable place from which to watch the cars in anger.
This is an old (and pretty crap) image, but I had to include it, as, for me anyway, it evokes the buzz that is always in evidence at the series' only overseas race, Sepang.
Back to SUGO and Sunday morning free practice in 2007. Four of the five NSX entries that campaigned the season have just completed their early morning runs.
Right where it should be. NSX leads brace of Lexus and Nissan rivals at Fuji Speedway, Golden Week, 2007.
Ahhhh, I still remember getting soaked to the skin on this day back in 2005 – at "the Spa of Japan" (according to yours truly), Autopolis. The other end of the circuit was in blazing sunshine – wicked!
Fire-spittin' dragon qualifying at Suzuka, 2004.
Keepin' it real; the Real Racing entry at Fuji Speedway.
Hangin' out on the inside of the hairpin at Fuji – as you do – and this vision of beauty (and the very best of Honda's engineering) roars past!
On the series' only visit to Tokachi (in 2004), located on Japan's northernmost island, Hokkaido (picture Finland in the summer).
Winning ways: both of the Honda Racing NSX entries (at SUGO in 2007 – cool bridge, huh!). They went on to finish 1-2 in the race, but in the reverse order.
Haven't forgotten Motegi – here's the #18 car threading its way through the carnage after a major shunt at turn 5 in 2008. You shoulda seen the other cars (actually you will – stay tuned!)
OK, that's it for my nostalgic look at what I think is one of the best looking Japanese cars ever. I hope you enjoyed looking at the images, and if that ain't enough, I have many, many more.
- Len Clarke
I like the veilside widebody kit
Autobacs NSX is sex on wheels
this is the only Honda I like what a machine
prout
The 1st picture, the epson nsx, and the raybrig pictures.. WALLPAPER!
Hi res please.
I work for Honda (dealer), and where i'm from, (northeastern Pennsylvania), NSX's were insanly popular in their golden years. When they pulled out for the first time, we were devistated. The second time, heartbroken. Now all we have is the nolstalgia like this, and the ones still in use. I'm saving up for a used NSX, but one of my co-workers metioned something to me the other day. There might be a road legal version of the HSV-10! I can't get anything out of the internet, or Honda itself. Does anyone else have any leeds?
-RJ
2nd pic is a Desktop for sure!
The originals look sooo much better than the new HVS-10.
Wallpaper!!! Pic 24 + 25 please!!!
Hey Samurai I would think the HSV-010 coming to street production is definitely going to happen as long as the car does well in SuperGT. And NSX LOVE!!! Best car in the world people, Ayrton Senna helped design the thing!
Aww HONDA's super car....only if i had $50k to drop on a mint-used NSX I saw at a VW dealership here in Vancouver,Wa:-(
Anything on the Z's from the JGTC/Super GT?those were cool while the Skyline was nowhere to be seen
Aww HONDA's super car....only if i had $50k to drop on a mint-used NSX I saw at a VW dealership here in Vancouver,Wa:-(
Anything on the Z's from the JGTC/Super GT?those were cool while the Skyline was nowhere to be seen
lol @ the people who always ask for desktops
JGTC NSX's of the 1998-99 period were the best looking NSX's ever made.
the NSX one of my favorite cars of all time! As much as i love the new HSV. I adore the NSX! It will never be forgotten and the JGTC NSX's will always leave a special place in my heart. I <3 Honda!
NSX -the best HONDA
The Honda NSX, the only Honda worth looking at. Beautiful!
great stuff, the RAybrig's always the best looking to me. But do you have by any chance stuff/pic on the older JGTC NSX from the 90s??
@F3INT
Thanks. That's pretty much what we figured. Honda always perseveres when it comes to racing. HOPE FOR US NSX FANS!
I know it's not from JGTC/SuperGT, but I always liked the Realtime Racing NSX
http://octanereport.com/uploads/images/tunedcars/racecars/honda_secret_museum/honda_secret_museum_05.jpg
When I first drew up our year plan for Speedhunters 2010, April was originally slated to be themed Honda
When I first drew up our year plan for Speedhunters 2010, April was originally slated to be themed Honda
When I first drew up our year plan for Speedhunters 2010, April was originally slated to be themed Honda
When I first drew up our year plan for Speedhunters 2010, April was originally slated to be themed Honda
i hate to be a critic... but i am really not digging these photos, the composition and exposure levels are definitely not up to the speedhunters calibre i've come to know and love (i.e. John Brooks, Mike Garrett, and the stuff Antonio used to shoot before he did his own thing). i suppose finding a dedicated photog for JGTC/SuperGT is not as easy as i would have figured...
when they changed the name of the series from JGTC to SuperGT few years ago it was suppose to make it more international... but how come it still doesn't hold more races outside of Japan?! what is going on with their marketing?? they need to do a better job.
The NSX.. still a fantastic car.. always had a soft spot for these and 'green eyes' (of envy) for my brother who has one that he hardly drives.. some great photo's by the way.. love the pic of the NSX cutting 'nose-first' through the rain!
The NSX.. still a fantastic car.. always had a soft spot for these and 'green eyes' (of envy) for my brother who has one that he hardly drives.. some great photo's by the way.. love the pic of the NSX cutting 'nose-first' through the rain!
The NSX.. still a fantastic car.. always had a soft spot for these and 'green eyes' (of eny) for my brother who has one that he hardly drives.. some great photo's by the way.. love the pic of the NSX cutting 'nose-first' through the rain!