TKRI Secures 2026 ENEOS Super Taikyu Series ST-X Championship Amid Controversy
In a dramatic turn of events, TK Racing Invitation (TKRI) has been declared the champion of the 2026 ENEOS Super Taikyu Series ST-X class after Craft-Bamboo Racing’s entry was excluded from the final race at Fuji Speedway due to exceeding penalty points. This unexpected situation concludes a season marked by competitive intensity.
Championship Context
TKRI, helmed by drivers Daisuke Matsunaga, Tatsuya Kataoka, Yuhki Nakayama, and Yuya Motojima, approaches the season finale on the 15th of November leading Craft-Bamboo Racing by 31.5 points. The latter needed to secure a maximum of 32 points in the race to potentially dethrone TKRI. Craft-Bamboo Racing’s #33 Mercedes-AMG GT3, originally slated to debut a special livery inspired by the Yani Neko anime series, was left off a fully subscribed grid of 68 cars, having led the penalty points tally.
Official Statements
Craft-Bamboo Racing’s late acknowledgment of their exclusion, which took nearly a week since the entry list published on November 5, expressed disappointment: “As the only team left in contention for the overall title, we are of course greatly disappointed… but congratulations to TKRI for a strong season.”
Final Race Setup
Despite Craft-Bamboo’s absence, the ST-X class features a robust field with seven entries. Notable competitors include seven x seven Racing, returning after an earlier absence, and the apr Lexus RC F GT3, along with D’station Racing’s Ferrari 296 GT3 Evo, both vying for runner-up positions.
Key Standings and Upcoming Challenges
While TKRI has clinched the ST-X title, other championships remain undecided as the season finale draws near. Team ZeroOne leads the ST-Z standings with a 20-point margin over the #52 Saitama Green Brave, who chase their fourth consecutive title. In ST-TCR, Birth Racing Project holds a 14.5-point lead, while the D’station Racing Porsche 911 Cup is in a strong position for the ST-1 title.
In ST-4, only 3.5 points separate two Toyota GR86 entries, intensifying the competition for the championship, while a comfortable gap exists in ST-5F, with Team Bride holding a 22.5-point lead.
Innovations and Future Prospects
Noteworthy is the debut of the redesigned #28 GR Team ORC Field Yaris M Concept, now a mid-engined coupe. Speculation thrives regarding its potential as a revival of Toyota’s iconic Celica, coinciding with announcements of a new GR Celica prototype set to compete in the upcoming FIA World Rally Championship.
The stakes are high as teams prepare for the finale, with multiple categories still contesting titles in a concluding race that offers 1.5x point payouts, underscoring the high level of competition inherent in the Super Taikyu Series.
