49th Suzuka 1000km Preview: Class Contenders
The 49th Suzuka 1000km, taking place on September 14, features a competitive field across its four sub-classes: Bronze, Silver, Pro-Am, and Am. Each class aims for top honors while racing against their own category.
Bronze Class Overview
The Bronze category is the largest, with 12 entries, each required to have one Bronze-rated amateur and one Silver-rated driver. Notable contenders include:
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Kenny Habul of 75 Express, a two-time class winner at Suzuka, is paired with experienced Silver drivers Yannick Mettler and Dominik Baumann. The #75 Mercedes-AMG GT3 EVO is a strong candidate for class victory.
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Herberth Motorsport features a proven trio with the Porsche 911 GT3 R: brothers Robert and Alfred Renauer alongside Bronze driver Ralf Bohn, who aim to leverage their Asian Le Mans Series experience.
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Defending champion Antares Au drives for Absolute Racing, reuniting with Richard Lietz and Loek Hartog, bringing significant pedigree to their Porsche entry.
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Heart of Racing by SPS showcases a talented trio: Ian James, Zacharie Robichon, and Alex Riberas, each with notable achievements in major endurance racing series.
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Origine Motorsport presents Leo Ye Hongli, alongside seasoned teammates Li Kerong and Anders Fjordbach, bolstered by Ye’s extensive experience at Suzuka.
Silver Class Insights
The Silver class includes three vehicles, each allowed up to three Silver-rated drivers:
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Vollgas Motorsports‘ lineup features Bronze driver Kim Jongpil gaining his first GT3 opportunity, supported by Daan Arrow and Liang Jiatong.
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Team 5Zigen aims to replicate last year’s success with Yūya Motojima, alongside past Suzuka competitors Yū Kanamaru and Takayuki Aoki.
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Audi Sport Asia Team Phantom is the sole representative for Audi, featuring Cheng Congfu alongside emerging talents Yu Kuai and Deng Yi in their R8 LMS GT3 EVO II.
Pro-Am Class Highlights
The Pro-Am category, comprising five cars, mandates two Bronze drivers, who may be former professionals:
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LM Corsa features Shigekazu Wakisaka, a two-time Suzuka champion, partnering with Kei Nakanishi and Formula 1 veteran Giancarlo Fisichella.
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PONOS Racing boasts Kei Cozzolino flanked by owner/driver Yorikatsu Tsujiko and Yusuke Yamasaki, looking to achieve a strong class finish.
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Craft-Bamboo Racing includes Hong Kong’s Jonathan Hui and Kevin Tse, complemented by Ben Barnicoat.
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GetSpeed brings in a competitive trio with Philip Ellis, Anthony McIntosh, and Steve Jans for their AMG entry.
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Johor Motorsport JMR features the Corvette Z06 GT3.R, with Malaysian driver Prince Jefri Ibrahim leading the crew.
All-Bronze Am Class
The all-Bronze Am class sees AMAC Motorsport fielding a Porsche 991.2 GT3 R, with drivers Andrew Macpherson, Ben Porter, and accomplished racer Grant Denyer.
RunUp Sports fields a Nissan GT-R with a lineup including Yūsaku Shibata, supported by Japan Cup regulars Masaaki Nishikawa and Atsushi Tanaka.
Race Details
The Suzuka 1000km begins at 12:50 PM JST (3:50 AM GMT) on Sunday, September 14. Coverage will be available globally on the official GT World YouTube channel.
This year’s race promises high-stakes competition and compelling narratives, with several teams bringing seasoned drivers and proven track records.
