The 2012 DTM champion experienced a rollercoaster first race in the Japanese series sharing the Team Studie BMW M4 GT3 he shared with Seiji Ara, the pair finishing in sixth after Spengler qualified an impressive third.
Spengler took the start and initially held position, but had already been passed for third by the #88 JLOC Lamborghini when he was turned around by the Goodsmile Mercedes of Tatsuya Kataoka, who earned a drive-through penalty.
