Sugo Super Taikyu 4 Hours Race: Provisional Entry List and Key Insights
Overview
The Sugo Super Taikyu 4 Hours Race, slated for this weekend, features a robust provisional entry list of 45 cars, split across two four-hour endurance races on Saturday and Sunday. Each race will have same-day qualifying sessions, intensifying competition right from the start.
Class Highlights
Sunday’s main event will spotlight a competitive ST-X (GT3) class, although the championship-leading #666 seven x seven Porsche 911 GT3 R will not participate, having demonstrated strong performances at earlier races. Currently, TKRI stands poised to capitalize on this absence, trailing the points leader by only 12 points. Drivers Tatsuya Kataoka, Shunji Okumoto, and Yuhki Nakayama will aim to extend their championship run following a successful Fuji 24 Hours.
Other notable entries include the #33 Craft-Bamboo Racing Mercedes-AMG GT3, which seeks redemption after retiring at Fuji; it will feature Tom Kalender alongside team regulars. Also, the #31 apr Lexus RC F GT3, driven by Hiroaki Nagai, Naoya Gamou, Rikuto Kobayashi, and Koki Saga, will compete, as will the #777 D’station Racing Aston Martin Vantage GT3.
Technical Insights
In the ST-Z class, a total of 10 GT4 cars will compete, featuring prominent makes such as Nissan, Toyota, and Mercedes-AMG. The #25 Team ZeroOne Z NISMO GT4 currently sits third in the standings, bolstered by its recent victory at the Fuji 24 Hours, while the #52 Saitama Green Brave Toyota GR Supra GT4 holds a commanding 24.5-point lead.
Additional insights reveal the #111 Evangelion-themed Mercedes-AMG GT4 from Progress Racing, along with the return of the M&K Racing Honda Civic FL5 TCRs and Audi Team Show Apex’s RS 3 in the ST-TCR category.
Class Competition
In production vehicle classes, Saturday will feature 23 entries, with the #72 Nihon Automobile College Honda Civic Type R leading ST-2 after a strong performance at Fuji. The #88 Murakami Motors Mazda Roadster maintains a solid lead in the ST-5F standings, but AndLegal Racing’s #821 Honda Fit3 RS has gained momentum, now in striking distance of the leaders.
Star Drivers
The presence of top drivers like Honda’s Syun Koide and Toyota’s Hibiki Taira adds significant allure to the weekend’s events, as they compete against emerging talents from the Kyojo Cup.
Both races will be live-streamed with Japanese commentary on the official Super Taikyu YouTube channel, ensuring fans can stay engaged with the unfolding action throughout this exciting race weekend.
