Anest Iwata Racing Unveils New Era at Blue Link Festival
Yokohama, Japan – Anest Iwata Racing officially launched its new Nissan Fairlady Z GT300 at the annual Blue Link Festival, marking a significant evolution in its motorsports strategy. The team, now rebranded as Anest Iwata Gainer Racing, has formed a pivotal partnership with championship-winning team Gainer, aiming to enhance its competitiveness in the Autobacs SUPER GT Series.
The newly unveiled #26 Anest Iwata Gainer Z is engineered to meet GTA-GT300 regulations, featuring a 3.8-liter twin-turbo V6 engine derived from the Nissan GT-R NISMO GT3. The car will utilize Yokohama tyres, ensuring a robust integration of performance technology tailored for the high-stakes GT300 division.
Since entering the SUPER GT in 2023, Anest Iwata has built a reputation for fostering talent, including former driver Igor Fraga, who has since advanced to GT500. Last season, Fraga and veteran driver Hironobu Yasuda clinched the team’s first podium with a third-place finish at Okayama International Circuit during inclement weather.
Yasuda returns as the lead driver in his 20th season with the series, boasting a strong history that includes a GT300 Championship in 2008 and multiple podium finishes throughout his career. “Returning to the Nissan brand is particularly meaningful as I embark on this new chapter with my team,” Yasuda stated.
Joining Yasuda in the cockpit is South Korean driver Lee Jung-woo, making him the third Korean-born athlete to compete in SUPER GT, after limited appearances by Hwang Jin-woo and Kim Han-bong. Lee comes from a successful background in the SuperRace Championship and has claimed two consecutive titles in the Super Taikyu Series’ ST-TCR category.
With Yasuda’s experience and Lee’s emerging talent, Anest Iwata Gainer Racing looks poised to make a significant impact in the upcoming season. The team aims not only for competitive results but also for establishing a diverse presence in the GT300 landscape.
