TOM’S driver Sasahara was involved in a high-speed shunt at 130R on the fourth lap of the penultimate spherical of the season, as he made contact with the Nakajima Racing machine of Hiroki Otsu.
Sasahara’s automobile was launched in direction of the catch fencing, together with his monocoque clearing the fence and hurtling all the way in which all the way down to the decrease a part of Suzuka’s crossover, close to Degner 1.
The race was red-flagged and deserted because of the injury to the catch fencing, which was repaired later the identical night forward of Sunday’s season finale.
Sasahara was admitted to hospital and was identified with concussion, preventing him from participating in the final race.
Nevertheless, TOM’S introduced on Sunday night that the 27-year-old had been launched from hospital earlier that day to proceed his restoration from dwelling.
A short assertion on social media learn: “We heard from Sasahara himself that ‘my physique is steadily returning to regular’, however as a precaution a second medical check-up is deliberate.”
It stays to be seen whether or not Sasahara might be declared match to take part in subsequent week’s SUPER GT season finale at Motegi, the place he is because of drive a TOM’S Toyota GR Supra alongside Giuliano Alesi.
Picture by: Masahide Kamio
Ukyo Sasahara, #36 VANTELIN TEAM TOM’S
The opposite driver concerned within the 130R crash, Nakajima substitute Otsu, escaped with solely mild bruising.
Otsu was seen on the observe pre-race on Sunday, however was unable to compete as there was inadequate time for the Nakajima squad to restore his automobile following the crash.
With the race outcomes being rolled again to the top of lap three, Otsu was credited with a seventeenth place end, whereas Sasahara was handed a 30-second penalty for his function in triggering the crash and dropped to twenty second and final.
Reflecting on the incident, Otsu commented: “Within the early laps I handed a number of vehicles and it felt like I had the tempo to go even additional if I continued that means, however whereas I used to be utilizing the Overtake System I went side-by-side with one other automobile [Sasahara], we made contact and crashed.
“As a substitute driver, my primary precedence was to return [Naoki] Yamamoto’s automobile in good situation, so I’m sorry for the staff concerning the injury to the automobile. Despite the fact that we didn’t do many laps I hope they have been in a position to take one thing Positive from it.”