Fuji GT 3 Hours Race Preview: All Eyes on Tsuboi and Team au TOM’S
Fuji Speedway, Japan — The 2024 Fuji GT 3 Hours Race: GW Special marks an essential highlight of Japan’s Golden Week, taking place on Sunday, May 4. Celebrating over two decades as a premier event in the All-Japan Grand Touring Car Championship (SUPER GT), this year’s race showcases a robust 43-car lineup, featuring prominent guest drivers and teams.
Key Drivers and Teams:
TGR Team au TOM’S is poised for history, as Sho Tsuboi and Kenta Yamashita aim to secure their fourth consecutive victory. However, they confront a 40-kilogram Success Weight penalty from their recent win at Okayama, potentially challenging their performance.
On the competitive front, Honda and Nissan will be looking to capitalize on solid performances at Fuji. Mitsunori Takaboshi and Atsushi Miyake, who secured Nissan’s only GT500 victory of 2024 at this circuit, enter the race determined to reclaim their winning form. Meanwhile, ARTA’s Tomoki Nojiri and Nobuharu Matsushita are also strong contenders, having previously claimed victory with the Honda Civic Type R-GT here.
Technical Insights:
Unlike past events, this edition does not mandate a third driver for GT500 teams, although TGR Team WedsSport Bandoh will field a three-driver lineup. Notably, Kazuto Kotaka will make his GT500 debut, adding a fresh element to the race.
GT300 Highlights:
In the GT300 class, the #65 LEON Pyramid Mercedes-AMG GT3, driven by Naoya Gamou and Togo Suganami, comes off a controversial win at Okayama. The all-FIA GT3 podium at that race suggests fierce competition, as defending champions JLOC aim to improve on their ninth-place finish.
Several young talents, including Oliver Rasmussen and Harry King, are making their GT300 debuts. Rasmussen returns after recovery from injury, while King competes alongside experienced drivers in the #666 seven x seven Porsche 911 GT3 R.
Race Details:
The Fuji GT 3 Hours Race commences at 2:10 PM JST on May 4, 2024. With a blend of seasoned professionals and emerging talents, this event promises an electrifying spectacle on the track.
GT500 Entry List Highlights:
- #1 Toyota GR Supra GT500: TGR Team au TOM’S (Tsuboi/Yamashita) – Bridgestone
- #3 Nissan Z NISMO GT500: NISMO NDDP (Sasaki/Miyake) – Bridgestone
- #8 Honda Civic Type R-GT: ARTA Mugen (Nojiri/Matsushita) – Bridgestone
GT300 Entry List Highlights:
- #0 Lamborghini Huracán GT3 EVO2: JLOC (Kogure/Motojima) – Yokohama
- #31 Lexus LC500h GT300: apr (Rasmussen/Koyama/Nemoto) – Bridgestone
- #666 Porsche 911 GT3 R: seven x seven Racing (Fujinami/Kondo/King) – Yokohama
Stay tuned for live updates as this prestigious race unfolds.
