SUPER GT Pre-Season Testing: Technical Insights and Fast Times at Fuji Speedway

FUJI SPEEDWAY, JAPAN – March 16, 2026 — The final day of SUPER GT pre-season testing concluded with a dramatic shift in performance as Honda’s #16 ARTA Mugen Prelude-GT secured the fastest time, concluding a week dominated by the #36 au TOM’S Toyota GR Supra GT500.

After establishing the fastest times for the first two days at Fuji, Toyota’s Sho Tsuboi set a morning benchmark of 1:28.291, maintaining second place for the day. However, Ren Sato’s final flying lap of 1:27.904 in the afternoon session elevated Honda’s presence, marking a significant advancement for the new Prelude-GT model.

Morning Session Highlights:

• Tsuboi’s lap of 1:28.291 was closely matched by Toshiki Oyu in the #38 KeePer Cerumo GR Supra with a 1:28.302.
• Nissan’s Mitsunori Takaboshi placed third with a time of 1:28.368 in the #23 Motul Niterra Nissan Z NISMO GT500.

Tsuboi’s morning performance, however, was tempered by challenging weather conditions following overnight rain, which had initially led to a cautious approach from many teams.

Afternoon Session Breakdown:
The track conditions improved, and Sato capitalized, stating, “A lap time we set at just the right moment ended up being the fastest of the day.” The #36 Toyota finished with the second-best time of the afternoon, demonstrating the vehicle’s consistent pace.

Notable incidents included a crash by rookies Team Mach’s Souta Arao, which resulted in significant damage but no injuries. This incident marked a setback for Team Mach as it prepares for the season opener.

GT300 Division Performance:
In the GT300 class, the #61 Subaru BRZ R&D Sport clocked the fastest time of the afternoon at 1:35.806. Driver Hideki Yamauchi noted, “I’m really glad we were able to set a fast lap time,” a strong indication of the car’s new engine strategy, which promises improved performance over the previous generation.

The #18 UpGarage Mercedes-AMG GT3 EVO led the morning session with a time of 1:36.509, while the Ford Mustang GT3 showed potential but was thwarted by mid-session interruptions.

Conclusion

As the 2026 Autobacs SUPER GT Series approaches its opener at Okayama International Circuit on April 11-12, the competitive landscape has shifted. With Honda showing promising improvements and Toyota’s top performance staying relevant, the opening round is anticipated to deliver thrilling competition.

Test Day 2 Results Summary:

• GT500 Top Times:

  1. 16 ARTA Mugen Prelude-GT — 1:27.904

  2. 36 au TOM’S GR Supra GT500 — 1:28.110

  3. 38 KeePer Cerumo GR Supra — 1:28.415

• GT300 Top Times:

  1. 61 Subaru BRZ R&D Sport — 1:35.806

  2. 2 Hyper Water INGING Toyota GR86 — 1:36.157

  3. 11 Gainer Tanax Nissan Fairlady Z — 1:36.198

Stay tuned for detailed coverage as the season unfolds.