rom July 11th to 13th ,GT World Challenge Asia held its 4th round at Japan’s renowned Fuji Speedway. Team KRC continued its strong momentum, fielding the #89 BMW M4 GT3 EVO piloted by gentleman driver Ruan Cunfan and Rising Star Maxime Oosten. The duo once again showcased impressive competitiveness.
In Race 1, both drivers delivered stable performances and secured a 3rd place finish in the Silver-Am class. In Race 2, they fiercely fought for an overall podium and class victory all the way to the final corner of the last lap, only to suffer a sudden collision that dashed their hopes of winning. Despite the unfortunate result, the car’s speed and fighting spirit added valuable momentum for the second half of the season.
During Saturday’s qualifying sessions, we maintained solid performance. In Q1, Ruan Cunfan clocked a lap time of 1:40.278, placing 3rd in Silver-Am and earning a good starting position for the #89 car. However, a potentially faster lap was invalidated due to a suspected track limits misjudgment. In Q2, Maxime Oosten set a time of 1:38.710, securing 2nd place in class and further showcasing his one-lap pace.
In Race 1, Ruan started the race with consistent rhythm, gradually climbing the ranks before handing the car over to his teammate. Due to a 10-second success penalty carried over from a previous overall P2 finish, the #89 car lost some positions during the pit stop. Nevertheless, Oosten charged forward relentlessly
In the latter stages, Oosten put on a brilliant overtaking display, ultimately finishing 3rd in class, earning another trophy for the team. This marked the 7th consecutive Silver-Am class podium for the #89 this season—demonstrating stable and formidable competitiveness.
Race 2 on Sunday brought increased challenges. Starting from 7th overall, Oosten was caught in a turn 1 incident shortly after lights out, disrupting his rhythm and temporarily dropping him from the lead pack. He immediately began a recovery drive, regaining several positions before pitting and handing over . Ruan, in excellent form, continued the push and held onto 3rd in class.
Mid-race, a major crash at the pit entry brought out the safety car. Fortunately, just before the incident, Ruan had completed a crucial overtake to seize the Silver-Am class lead. When the race resumed, only one lap remained. Ruan not only held onto 1st in class but also surged into fourth overall. In the final corner, he launched an attack for the overall podium. However, he was struck by a rival car during the attempt, causing him to lose control and veer off-line. He managed to finish the race but, regrettably, missed out on the class victory.
Despite the missed opportunity, the #89 car showcased a determined fighting spirit at Fuji. Confronting the ever-unpredictable circuit, Team KRC endured the battle with unwavering belief and teamwork. From qualifying to the final lap, every moment was a testament to the team’s perseverance and dedication. Even in the face of last-corner heartbreak, they refused to give up—demonstrating their unrelenting will to fight at the top.
Currently, thanks to their stellar early-season results, the #89 car continues to lead the Silver-Am championship standings with a comfortable margin. However, the team knows that the path to the season title leaves no room for error. We now shift our focus to preparations for the next round, late August at Okayama International Circuit in Japan.
