Suzuka GT 300km Race: Qualifying Report

Suzuka, Japan – In a decisive qualifying session ahead of the Suzuka GT 300km Race, Honda’s #16 ARTA Mugen Civic Type R-GT, piloted by Hiroki Otsu and Ren Sato, emerged as a formidable contender, capturing pole position and aiming to break Toyota’s nine-race GT500 winning streak.

Sato’s impressive lap of 1:45.377 in Q2 marked his inaugural GT500 pole, setting the stage for Honda’s first potential victory in over a year. This pole position was particularly beneficial given the absence of Success Weight, allowing the team to capitalize on the competitive disadvantage of their Toyota rivals, who bore significant ballast.

Qualifying Highlights:

• Pole Position: #16 ARTA Mugen Honda Civic Type R-GT – Ren Sato: 1:45.377
• Second Place: #23 Motul Autech Nissan Z – Katsumasa Chiyo: 1:45.564
• Third Place: #3 Niterra Motul Z – Daiki Sasaki: 1:45.681
• Fourth Place: #24 Realize Corporation Advan Z – Tsugio Matsuda: Q2 performance edged them into the top four.

Notably, the championship-leading #1 au TOM’S GR Supra faced difficulties, qualifying 13th while carrying the maximum allowed Success Weight.

In the GT300 class, Subaru’s Hideki Yamauchi secured a record-breaking 15th career pole in the #61 Subaru BRZ R&D Sport with a time of 1:56.869, aiming to convert the pole into a much-needed victory. His performance in Q2, marked by the fastest sector times, underscored Subaru’s competitive resurgence.

GT300 Qualifying Highlights:

• Pole Position: #61 Subaru BRZ R&D Sport – Hideki Yamauchi: 1:56.869
• Second Place: #7 CarGuy MKS Ferrari 296 GT3 – Rikuto Kobayashi: 1:57.179
• Third Place: #5 Mach Shaken/Air Buster MC86 – Iori Kimura

Addressing the qualifying session, Yamauchi commented, "It’s been a long journey back to the front, and this pole gives us a fantastic chance to secure a win."

The race promises an exciting showdown as Honda bids to end Toyota’s domination, while Subaru seeks to leverage their historic pole position in GT300.

Final Standings GT500 Qualifying:

1. 16 ARTA Mugen Honda Civic Type R-GT – Ren Sato

2. 23 Motul Autech Nissan Z

3. 3 Niterra Motul Z

4. 24 Realize Corporation Advan Z

Final Standings GT300 Qualifying:

1. 61 Subaru BRZ R&D Sport – Hideki Yamauchi

2. 7 CarGuy MKS Ferrari 296 GT3

3. 5 Mach Shaken/Air Buster MC86

As the stage is set for the Suzuka GT 300km Race, the anticipation builds for what promises to be a pivotal event in the SUPER GT Series calendar.