Terrifying 130R Super GT crash at Suzuka results in miracle escape

Thomas Maher
Tsugio Matsuda Super GT crash at Suzuka, June 2023.

Tsugio Matsuda Super GT crash at Suzuka, June 2023.

Super GT racer Tsugio Matsuda has escaped serious injury following a terrifying crash at Suzuka’s fearsomely fast 130R.

Matsuda and Kosuke Matsuura are both confirmed to be OK following their involvement in a massive crash at Suzuka, which was playing host to the third round of the Super GT championship 450-kilometre race.

The race was red-flagged after 59 of the 77 laps were completed, due to the severity of the crash, and was not resumed due to the damage caused to the barriers as a result of the impact.

Matsuda, driving his #23 Motul Nissan Z GT500, was exiting the high-speed 130R when he made a move up the outside into the chicane to overtake two of the GT300 cars.

Making contact with one of the cars, Matsuda lost control and flew off to the right-hand side of the approach into the chicane. His car had a hard impact with the barriers, resulting in his car disintegrating as it spiralled through the air.

Matsuura’s involvement in the collision also resulted in his #87 Lamborghini Huracan GT3 hitting the barriers, coming to rest just off the racing line.

Matsuura was able to return to his garage under his own power. Matsuda remained conscious and was able to move and communicate with officials, but was airlifted to a nearby hospital for precautionary checks.

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NISMO have since released a statement to confirm that Matsuda has escaped serious injury in the terrifying Super GT crash: “Following an examination at the hospital, no major injuries have been found for Matsuda.

“We are relieved to hear this, but follow-up checks are planned. We apologise for any concern this may have caused our fans.”

Matsuda will be kept in the hospital for further observation.