Fuji GT 3 Hours Race Preview
The GT Association has confirmed the entry list for the Fuji GT 3 Hours Race, set for May 4, as part of the Golden Week festivities. This marks the 31st edition of the event, which commemorates the 60th anniversary of the first major race at Fuji Speedway.
Event Context
The Fuji GT 3 Hours will serve as the final SUPER GT event before a three-month hiatus, following the recent scheduling shift of the Sepang race to 2027. In the GT500 category, the championship-leading #36 au TOM’S Toyota GR Supra GT500, driven by Sho Tsuboi and Kenta Yamashita, will carry an additional 40 kg of Success Ballast due to their victory at Okayama. Last year’s winners, the #38 KeePer Cerumo GR Supra, will feature +32 kg following their second-place finish.
GT500 Entry List Highlights
- #8 ARTA Mugen HRC Prelude-GT: Kakunoshin Ohta, Hiroki Otsu (Bridgestone)
- #36 au TOM’S GR Supra: Sho Tsuboi, Kenta Yamashita (Bridgestone)
- #38 KeePer Cerumo GR Supra: Toshiki Oyu, Rikuto Kobayashi (Bridgestone)
- #777 D’station Vantage: Tomonobu Fujii, Charlie Fagg (Dunlop, 52 kg of Success Ballast)
GT300 Developments
Significant driver changes define the GT300 class, with several entrants bolstering their teams with third drivers and introducing new talent. Notable entries include:
- CarGuy MKS Racing: Kiyoshi Umegaki, making his debut in the #7 Ferrari 296 GT3 Evo.
- apr: Second-generation racer Charlie Wurz will drive the #31 Lexus LC500h, which previously placed third at Okayama.
- Kohta Kawaai (#87 JLOC), the 2023 GT300 Champion, returns after a year-long absence, as does Rintaro Kubo (#9 Pacific Racing Team), who last competed in 2020.
GT300 Entry List Highlights
- #31 apr LC500h GT: Kazuto Kotaka, Miki Koyama, Charlie Wurz (Bridgestone)
- #7 CarGuy Ferrari 296 GT3 Evo: Zak O’Sullivan, Kiyoshi Umegaki, Reimei Ito (Yokohama)
- #777 D’station Vantage GT3: Turbocharged with 52 kg of Success Ballast.
Competition Schedule
Practice and qualifying rounds will occur on May 3, ahead of the three-hour race on May 4.
Conclusion
With a rich history and an intense lineup of competitors, the Fuji GT 3 Hours promises to be a crucial event in this season’s SUPER GT calendar as teams gear up for peak performance amidst significant weight considerations and driver introductions.
