AUTOBACS SUPER GT SERIES: KUNIMITSU CLAIMS GT500 CROWN, KONDO RACING SECURES GT300 TITLE
Motegi, Japan – Stanley Team Kunimitsu has clinched the GT500 championship in the Autobacs SUPER GT Series for the first time since 2020, achieving this milestone with a commanding performance in the Motegi GT 250km Grand Final on Sunday. The duo of Naoki Yamamoto and Tadasuke Makino dominated the race, leading 42 of 53 laps in their #100 Stanley Honda HRC Prelude-GT, finishing 1.7 seconds ahead of the #17 Astemo Prelude-GT.
This victory not only marks Honda’s first GT500 title in three years but also highlights the debut success of the HRC Prelude-GT, which secured five wins in six post-summer races. Yamamoto’s third championship win, following a near-miss in 2021 and recovery from a career-threatening neck injury, positions him as a standout in the category’s history. Makino, in his second title year with Kunimitsu, continues to build on his promising career trajectory.
Behind the leaders, the #39 Denso Kobelco SARD Toyota GR Supra, driven by Yuhi Sekiguchi and Sacha Fenestraz, pulled off a remarkable recovery from 10th to secure third place, narrowly edging out the #12 TRS Impul Nissan Z NISMO GT500. The #38 KeePer Cerumo GR Supra rounded out the top five, while the #23 Motul Niterra Z faced a post-race time penalty that sidelined them from podium contention.
In a dramatic turn of events, Sho Tsuboi’s aspirations for a historic fifth championship were dashed when the #36 au TOM’S GR Supra sustained significant damage after a collision during a Full Course Yellow, leading to an early retirement.
GT300 Division: Kondo Racing Triumphs
In the GT300 class, the #88 Venteny Lamborghini Huracán GT3 EVO2, driven by Takashi Kogure and Daniil Kvyat, claimed victory despite a late-race collision. The title went to the #56 Realize/Nissan Mechanic Challenge GT-R of João Paulo de Oliveira and Iori Kimura, who overcame a challenging start from 17th to finish fourth, achieving Kondo Racing’s third championship.
Oliveira secured his third GT300 title, joining a five-way tie for most championships in the division’s history, while newcomer Kimura caught the attention of Nissan for potential future prospects in GT500 racing. The battle for the win saw Kvyat outmaneuver leading competition from Sven Müller, sealing JLOC’s first GT300 victory since 2024.
The #11 Gainer Tanax Nissan Fairlady Z captured third place, followed closely by Oliveira and Kimura. A post-season drive-through penalty hindered Morio Nitta’s aspirations for an ideal farewell in the #96 K-tunes Lexus RC F GT3, ultimately finishing ninth. Meanwhile, the #30 apr Toyota GR86 saw its veteran driver Manabu Orido conclude his SUPER GT journey in 25th.
The #32 ENEOS X Prime GR GT3 Concept, making its debut in the championship, finished 23rd while showcasing improved pace as it prepares for homologation ahead of a full racing season in 2027.
More updates to follow.
