2026 ENEOS Super Taikyu Series: Motegi 4-Hour Race Report
Mobility Resort Motegi— The opening round of the 2026 ENEOS Super Taikyu Series debuted this weekend at Mobility Resort Motegi, drawing thousands of endurance racing fans. The event featured a doubleheader weekend culminating in two captivating races.
Race Results Overview
The #31 apr Lexus RC F GT3, driven by Hiroaki Nagai, Naoya Gamou, Ryo Ogawa, and Koki Saga, secured victory in Race 1. The competition was fierce, with six Full Course Yellow periods impacting strategies throughout the 122-lap race. Notably, the Lexus team utilized an amateur driver, Nagai, for the initial hour, setting a tactical precedent.
Finishing second was the #777 D’station Racing Ferrari 296 GT3 Evo, marking its series debut with drivers Satoshi Hoshino, Tomonobu Fujii, and Yuta Kamimura. The #33 Craft-Bamboo Racing Mercedes-AMG, piloted by Sun Jingzu, Kakunoshin Ohta, and Adderly Fong, took third, despite a drive-through penalty for violation during a yellow flag phase.
Race 1 Podium:
- #31 apr Lexus RC F GT3 – 122 laps
- #777 D’station Racing Ferrari 296 GT3 Evo
- #33 Craft-Bamboo Racing Mercedes-AMG GT3
In Race 2, the #33 Craft-Bamboo Racing team, featuring Sun, Ohta, and Fong, emerged victorious, completing 124 laps. The #23 TKRI Mercedes-AMG, tasked with competing hard against Craft-Bamboo, finished second while the #777 D’station Ferrari rounded out the podium again.
Race 2 Podium:
- #33 Craft-Bamboo Racing Mercedes-AMG GT3 – 124 laps
- #23 TKRI Mercedes-AMG GT3
- #777 D’station Racing Ferrari 296 GT3 Evo
Technical Insights
Qualifying saw Kakunoshin Ohta of Craft-Bamboo Racing setting a new ST-X class record at 1:47.694, contributing to their dominant form in both races.
The other classes also showcased competitive spirit:
- The #884 SHADE Racing Toyota GR86 clinched the ST-4 class win, while in ST-2, a dramatic finish emerged as the #95 Team Spoon Honda Civic Type R took victory while on fire, highlighting both tension and resilience in endurance racing.
Quotes
Hiroaki Nagai, following his team’s victory in Race 1, noted, “Every driver executed their role flawlessly, adapting to the changing conditions and strategy.”
Kakunoshin Ohta, after Race 2, added, “The team’s preparation paid off; we capitalized on an excellent strategy that set us up for an unassailable lead.”
Next Steps
The series continues at the renowned Suzuka Circuit for the Suzuka Super Taikyu 5 Hours Race, scheduled for April 18-19. The anticipation builds as teams prepare to optimize their strategies for this next challenging venue.
End Note: The 2026 ENEOS Super Taikyu Series showcases the depth of talent and competitive spirit within Japanese motorsports, setting the stage for an exhilarating season ahead.
