Major Changes Announced for 2026 Autobacs SUPER GT Series
The 2026 Autobacs SUPER GT Series will see significant regulatory updates, as reported by auto sport Web. Key amendments center around the Success Weight system in GT500 and new operational protocols aimed at enhancing competition integrity.
Success Weight System Overhaul
The GT500 category will experience a notable reduction in fuel flow limits, decreasing from 95 kg/h to 90.2 kg/h. Once a car surpasses 50 kg of Success Weight, the fuel flow will further drop to 88 kg/h, maintaining static weight levels while penalizing performance indirectly. New “success refuelling restrictors” will be introduced to increase pit stop durations based on specific Success Weight thresholds. Details on these restrictors will be provided in a forthcoming bulletin from the GT Association (GTA).
Engine Regulations and Development Freeze
Teams in both GT500 and GT300 must now operate with a single engine for the season, addressing reliability and consistency concerns. Further, aero development for GT500 will be frozen until 2029, solidifying current performance metrics which may preserve existing course records for the foreseeable future.
Driver Regulations and Team Dynamics
In response to previous scheduling conflicts, such as the clash faced by Goodsmile Racing & TeamUKYO, GTA will allow teams to change both drivers under special circumstances. Additionally, future vehicle number changes post-entry deadline will be prohibited, tightening regulations on entry consistency.
Public Influence on Balance of Performance
Aligning with practices seen in IMSA and the FIA World Endurance Championship, GTA has instituted a policy preventing competitors from publicly influencing Balance of Performance (BOP) changes. Violations may incur sanctions against involved parties.
Contextual Implications
These reforms are part of an ongoing effort to refine the competitive landscape of the Autobacs SUPER GT Series, ensuring that performance is closely monitored while maintaining an even playing field for all teams involved.
