The 2023 GRAN TURISMO D1 GRAND PRIX SERIES Rd.7&8 AUTOPOLIS took place at Oita Prefecture's AUTOPOLIS from October 28th to 29th.

The course layout was modified compared to the previous year, with the finish line positioned before the corner, resulting in significant changes in timing and an entirely new course configuration. This led to a series of crashes and created an unpredictable and thrilling competition.

In the 7th round, driver Shokichi Tanaka, who finished 4th in the solo runs, advanced to the finals for the first time in his career and secured a second-place finish.

The final rankings for Rd.7 are as follows:

2nd (TANSO 4th) - #2 Shokichi Tanaka - SHIBATIRE RACING SEIMI STYLE D / S15 / WORK EMOTION ZR10
10th (TANSO 7th) - #79 Kojiro Megusaku - TMS Racing Team G-meister / E92 / WORK EMOTION ZR10
13th (TANSO 13th) - #11 Mitsuru Murakami - Repair Create × 326power / ZN8 / WORK EMOTION CR3P
TANSO 17th - #52 Yusuke Kitao - TEAM MORI / JZX100 / WORK EMOTION ZR10
TANSO 20th - #16 Koji Yamaguchi - TMS Racing Team G-meister / E92 / WORK EMOTION ZR10
TANSO 22nd - #87 Taigo Saito - FAT FIVE RACING / A90 / WORK SPECIAL FORGED
TANSO 23rd - #8 Tetsuya Kuma - HIRANO TIRE ★ VALINO RACING / S15 / WORK EMOTION ZR10
TANSO 24th - #56 Takahiro Mori - VITOUR Racing GP SPORTS / RPS13 / WORK EMOTION ZR10
TANSO 26th - #8 Tetsuya Kuma - HIRANO TIRE ★ VALINO RACING / S15 / WORK EMOTION ZR10
TANSO 30th - #27 Takeshi Mogi - OKUTONE FP IWANA CENTER / S15 / WORK EMOTION CR Kiwami
TANSO 31st - #48 Toshinoyuki Kitashiba - OS GIKEN SUNOCO / ZN6 / WORK EMOTION ZR10

The 8th round on October 29th also enjoyed clear skies, but it witnessed intense battles where the top-ranked drivers from the previous day struggled to secure their positions in the finals.

Despite scoring high points in the first solo run, Daigo Saito suffered a crash in the second run. Fortunately, he sustained only minor injuries and managed to advance to the pursuit competition.

The final rankings for the 8th round are as follows:

4th (TANSO 4th) - #87 Daigo Saito - FAT FIVE RACING / A90 / WORK SPECIAL FORGED
10th (TANSO 6th) - #56 Takahiro Mori - VITOUR Racing GP SPORTS / RPS13 / WORK EMOTION ZR10
14th (TANSO 14th) - #16 Koji Yamaguchi - TMS Racing Team G-meister / E92 / WORK EMOTION ZR10
TANSO 9th - #52 Yusuke Kitao - TEAM MORI / JZX100 / WORK EMOTION ZR10
TANSO 18th - #2 Shokichi Tanaka - SHIBATIRE RACING SEIMI STYLE D / S15 / WORK EMOTION ZR10
TANSO 21st - #8 Tetsuya Kuma - HIRANO TIRE ★ VALINO RACING / S15 / WORK EMOTION ZR10
TANSO 24th - #27 Takeshi Mogi - OKUTONE FP IWANA CENTER / S15 / WORK EMOTION CR Kiwami
TANSO 26th - #11 Mitsuru Murakami - Repair Create × 326power / ZN8 / WORK EMOTION CR3P
TANSO 34th - #48 Toshinoyuki Kitashiba - OS GIKEN SUNOCO / ZN6 / WORK EMOTION ZR10
TANSO 36th - #79 Kojiro Megusaku - TMS Racing Team G-meister / E92 / WORK EMOTION ZR10

In the 2023 Driver's Rankings, Shokichi Tanaka secured the 3rd position. He also ranked 3rd in the 2023 Solo Run Rankings.

The next event, 2023 TOKYO DRIFT, is scheduled for the 9th round on November 11th (Saturday) and the 10th round on November 12th (Sunday) at the Odaiba special venue. We appreciate your passionate support and look forward to your continued support this year.