PETRONAS TOM’s Junichi Wakisaka emerged from a tough test in Sepang to finish 8th and secure valuable points in the Japanese GT500 championship.

With their Lexus SC430 carrying a huge weight handicap courtesy of gaining the championship lead at the last round at Fuji Speedway, Wakisaka and co-driver Andre Lotterer qualified in 10th position but managed to make up positions during the race to maintain the momentum in their fight for the title.

Reflecting on a difficult, but ultimately rewarding race, Wakisaka said “68kg of weight was so hard [to drive with]. It obviously had a negative effect on the car, but I very much enjoyed the race in Sepang,” adding “I hope the Malaysian crowd enjoyed my battle with [Yuji] Tachikawa and [Hiroaki] Ishiura as well, it was the highlight of the race.”

Wakisaka and Lotterer now lie 2nd in the GT500 championship standings, just three points off the lead as the series heads to Sportsland SUGO on July 24.