Autobacs SUPER GT Series: Team Kunimitsu Claims Victory at Autopolis

Autopolis, Japan – In a decisive performance during the Autopolis GT 3 Hour Race, Stanley Team Kunimitsu, with drivers Naoki Yamamoto and Tadasuke Makino, secured a crucial victory, significantly enhancing their bid for the GT500 championship. This win marked the team’s second of the season and Honda’s fourth consecutive victory in the GT500 category.

The race featured a dynamic opening hour, with the lead changing hands three times. Initially, the #64 Modulo Nakajima Racing Honda, starting from pole, lost the lead to the #17 Astemo Real Racing Honda before being overtaken by the #12 Team Impul Nissan. However, it was strategic prowess that propelled Team Kunimitsu to the front. Yamamoto’s extended first stint of over 80 minutes reduced the fuel load required during the final stop, which allowed Makino to assume the lead in the race’s concluding moments. He maintained the gap to ultimately cross the finish line first after 98 laps.

Following this victory, Yamamoto and Makino are now just three points behind championship leaders Sho Tsuboi and Kenta Yamashita, who drive the #36 au TOM’S Toyota GR Supra GT500, as they head into the double-header finale scheduled for November 7-8 at Mobility Resort Motegi.

The runner-up position went to the #38 KeePer Cerumo GR Supra driven by Toshiki Oyu and Rikuto Kobayashi, finishing 1.363 seconds behind the winners. The podium was completed by the #23 Motul Niterra Nissan Z NISMO GT500, driven by Katsumasa Chiyo and Mitsunori Takaboshi—marking a return to the podium for Nissan after a three-race drought.

Significantly, the #36 au TOM’S GR Supra experienced misfortune, receiving a drive-through penalty for a refuelling violation that relegated them to eighth place. By contrast, the #17 Astemo Prelude faced additional challenges, including a premature stop, leading to a missed opportunity for points.

Yamamoto reflected on the victory, stating, “The safety car deployment altered our strategy, but after effective communication with the team, we executed our stops successfully.” Makino emphasized the importance of their teamwork, noting, “We’ve closed the gap in the title fight to three points, and the final round requires us to focus solely on winning.”

GT500 Race Results:

1. 100 Stanley Honda HRC Prelude-GT (Yamamoto/Makino)

2. 38 KeePer Cerumo GR Supra (Oyu/Kobayashi)

3. 23 Motul Niterra Nissan Z (Chiyo/Takaboshi)

In the GT300 class, the #96 K-tunes Lexus RC F, driven by Morio Nitta and Shinichi Takagi, made headlines as the oldest race winners in GT300 history. Nitta, at 59, and Takagi, at 56, seized victory following a strategic long stint and a well-timed pit stop that allowed Takagi to secure the lead in the final hour.

Following a penalty that affected several competitors, including the #666 seven x seven Racing Porsche, which was demoted from second to 11th, the #360 RunUp GT-R claimed a promising second place—its best finish in SUPER GT history.

GT300 Race Results:

1. 96 K-tunes Lexus RC F (Nitta/Takagi)

2. 360 RunUp GT-R (Arakawa/Kanamaru)

3. 65 LEON Pyramid Mercedes-AMG GT3 EVO (Gamou/Suganami/Kurosawa)

A total of 30,100 spectators attended the race weekend, contributing to earthquake relief efforts for Kumamoto Prefecture.

The 2026 Autobacs SUPER GT Series concludes with the Motegi GT 250km Race: Grand Final, featuring two sprint races on November 7 and 8.

Images © GTA