Upcoming Doubleheader Finale for the Autobacs SUPER GT Series at Motegi
The GTA has announced the entry lists for the Autobacs SUPER GT Series’ culminating doubleheader at Mobility Resort Motegi, scheduled for November 7-8. This marks just the second time in series history that the championship will be decided over a doubleheader weekend, the first being in 2016.
Event Overview
The weekend features two key races: a sprint race of 250 kilometers on Saturday, designated as “Round 3,” to compensate for the canceled round at Sepang back in June, followed by the final race on Sunday. A single practice session will take place on November 6, with qualifying held on the mornings of both race days.
Notably, race conditions will differ: Saturday’s race will implement “half ballast,” where teams are subject to one kilogram of Success Weight per championship point, while the Sunday race will have no ballast.
Championship Implications
A total of 42 points is up for grabs in the GT500 class, with 20 points awarded to the race winners and an additional point for securing pole position. At the start of the weekend, 11 out of 14 teams maintain a mathematical chance for the championship. However, only four are within 20 points of the leaders, Sho Tsuboi and Kenta Yamashita of TGR Team au TOM’S, who aim for a historic fifth GT500 title for Tsuboi and fourth for Yamashita.
TOM’S is vying for its fourth consecutive GT500 title and fifth in six years, a strong position buoyed by the fact that their #36 GR Supra GT500 has won the last three races at Motegi.
Challengers include the Stanley Team Kunimitsu duo of Naoki Yamamoto and Tadasuke Makino, who trail by just three points. Their Honda HRC Prelude-GT has claimed victory in four consecutive races, heightening the stakes as they compete at Yamamoto’s home circuit.
Astemo Real Racing’s Koudai Tsukakoshi and rookie Yuto Nomura, along with Toshiki Oyu and Rikuto Kobayashi of TGR Team KeePer Cerumo, are also in contention—each sitting notably behind the leaders, but still pursuing their first championship titles since 2013.
Nissan, meanwhile, looks to avoid its first winless GT500 season since 2002, searching for a victory in these final two races.
GT300 Updates
In the GT300 class, the series will see significant changes, including the global motorsport debut of Toyota’s GR GT3 Concept, entered by Team ENEOS ROOKIE. Additionally, 2023 GT500 Champion Ritomo Miyata will return as a substitute for CarGuy MKS Racing, while veteran racer Manabu Orido will make a farewell appearance in the #30 GR86, capping off a renowned 31-year career.
The championship remains tightly contested, with five teams within 25 points of leaders João Paulo de Oliveira and Iori Kimura from Kondo Racing, who hold a 20-point lead over their nearest rivals as the season approaches its end.
Conclusion
As the Autobacs SUPER GT Series heads into its final races at Motegi, the implications for both GT500 and GT300 championships remain intense, with pivotal moments anticipated in both classes. This doubleheader promises to deliver exceptional racing and significant historical milestones for teams and drivers alike.
