AUTOBACS SUPER GT SERIES: SUZUKA DELIVERS THRILLING FINISH
Sugo, Japan – The Autobacs SUPER GT Series continued its tradition of dramatic racing at Sportsland Sugo, where the #24 Realize Corporation Advan Nissan Z NISMO GT500, driven by Tsugio Matsuda and Teppei Natori, executed a last-lap pass to secure Kondo Racing’s first GT500 win since November 2016.
Race Highlights
- Pole Position: Ren Sato set a new GT500 lap record in the #16 ARTA Mugen Honda Civic Type R-GT with a time of 1:09.122, marking his second consecutive pole.
- Race Dynamics: Matsuda quickly ascended from fifth to challenge the leaders. After overcoming the #39 Denso Kobelco SARD Toyota GR Supra driven by Sacha Fenestraz, he seized the lead on lap 23 following a Full Course Yellow (FCY).
- Critical Pit Strategy: Kondo Racing’s quick pit stop allowed Natori to capitalize when others faltered, particularly after the Safety Car was deployed due to a multi-car incident in the GT300 field.
- Final Laps: In a dramatic finish, Natori closed the gap on Fenestraz, overtaking him with a bold move on the final lap, finishing just 0.649 seconds ahead.
Performance and Records
- Milestones:
- Matsuda extended his career GT500 victories to 25, marking the longest winless stretch of the team in GT500 competition.
- Natori celebrated his inaugural GT500 victory, showcasing tenacity and skill throughout the race.
Post-Race Quotes
- Tsugio Matsuda: “This 25th victory…was a long time coming. I felt we had a chance to win.”
- Teppei Natori: “With these members, it’s been a long struggle to get this win… The overtake was the only possible option, and I’m thrilled it worked.”
Championship Context
This victory marks Nissan’s second of the season, breaking a two-year streak of wins only for Bridgestone-equipped cars. The #39 Denso GR Supra remains a contender for the championship, now sitting third in the standings following their second-place finish.
GT300 Race Summary
In the GT300 category, the #60 Syntium LM Corsa Lexus LC500, driven by Hiroki Yoshimoto and Shunsuke Kohno, claimed victory after starting from pole. This marks their first win since November 2021. The race featured intense battles, including an incident that significantly impacted championship implications, eliminating the #777 D’station Aston Martin and affecting key rivals.
Top Results in GT300
- #60 Syntium LM Corsa Lexus LC500
- #56 Realize GT-R NISMO
- #666 Seven x Seven Racing Porsche 911 GT3 R
Conclusion
As the penultimate round approaches at Autopolis on October 19, the series continues to heat up, with competitive tension building across both GT500 and GT300 classes. The stakes remain high as teams prepare for the decisive final stretch of the 2025 season.
Upcoming Event: Autopolis GT 3 Hour Race, October 19, 2025.
