Goh Tips Record Kristensen Win

Kazumichi Goh, the Japanese team owner who won the Le Mans 24-hours in 2004, believes Tom Kristensen is on course for his record seventh victory at Le Mans, his sixth at Le Mans this century and will maintain his unbeaten run since 2000

Andrew Cotton Jun 19, 2005, 5:21 AM

"Tom will do it, that is sure," said Goh-san.

The team owner is working with a consortium of partners to build a Japanese championship, based on the slightly more relaxed regulations of the American Le Mans Series rather than those of Le Mans. The Le Mans-winning Audi is owned by the Japanese importer, and following the ALMS regulations will allow them to run slightly larger 2004 restrictors. "We have said that we will run, but only if we do not have to change the car," said Goh.

Suzuka, Motegi and Fuji are lined up to host three rounds of the potentially four-round championship, with a further race taking place in China, either at the Shanghai facility, or at Zhuhai. "That increases the sponsorship potential," said Goh. "There are plenty of GT2 cars out there, we would run the Audi, and I am sure Dome would also run," he said. Prodrive sold its first Ferrari 550 Maranello to a Japanese collector, while Lamborghini is also represented in Japan.