Suzuka 1000KM Pre

The Suzuka 1000KM returns for its 50th edition at Suzuka Circuit in Mie Prefecture, Japan. This historic endurance race serves as a key round in the 2026 Intercontinental GT Challenge series. The event brings together GT3 teams from around the globe for 6 hours and 30 minutes of competition across the renowned Japanese motorsport venue.

Intercontinental GT Challenge Round at Suzuka Circuit

The 2026 Suzuka 1000KM forms part of the five-round Intercontinental GT Challenge calendar. The race features exclusively GT3-specification machinery, bringing multiple manufacturers together on equal technical footing. The Intercontinental GT Challenge represents the premier global platform for GT3 endurance racing, with the Suzuka 1000KM standing as one of its marquee events.

A provisional entry list features 28 cars from eight manufacturers. Porsche leads the manufacturer representation with 10 entries, followed by Ferrari with 5 cars, BMW with 4 entries, Mercedes with 3 cars, and two entries each from Corvette and Nissan. Lexus and Ford complete the field with one car each.

The Circuit

Suzuka Circuit opened in 1962 and features a distinctive figure-eight layout. The track measures 5.807 kilometers in length and challenges drivers with its technical combination of high-speed sections and demanding corners. The circuit hosts major international racing series including Formula 1, Super GT, and the Suzuka 8 Hours motorcycle endurance race.

The venue's unique configuration includes the famous Spoon Curve, 130R, and the Casio Triangle chicane. These sections test both driver skill and car setup, making Suzuka Circuit one of the most demanding tracks in international motorsport.

Notable Entries for 2026

The provisional grid includes strong Pro-class representation from international teams. Malaysia Johor Motorsports JMR fields the #2 Chevrolet Corvette Z06 GT3.R with drivers Nicky Catsburg, Scott McLaughlin, and Alexander Sims. Absolute Racing from Hong Kong enters the #7 Porsche 911 GT3 R with Dorian Boccolacci, Alessandro Ghiretti, and Ayhancan Güven.

Japanese team Ponos Racing brings a Ferrari 296 GT3 Evo with an all-Japanese driver lineup of Tadasuke Makino, Seita Nonaka, and Takuro Shinohara. Australian squad Miedecke Motorsport by Team MPC enters a Ford Mustang GT3 Evo driven by Christopher Mies, Dennis Olsen, and Frédéric Vervisch. Mercedes-AMG entries include the #75 car from 75 Express with Philip Ellis, Mikaël Grenier, and Kenny Habul, plus Team Craft-Bamboo Racing's entry featuring Maxime Martin.

Pre-Intercontinental GT Challenge History

The Suzuka 1000KM first ran on June 26, 1966, establishing itself as Japan's oldest endurance race. Before joining the Intercontinental GT Challenge in 2018, the event held a varied competitive history across multiple decades.

Early Years and Championship Integration

From 1967 to 1970, the race formed part of the Suzuka Circuit Endurance Series alongside the Suzuka 500KM and Suzuka 12 Hours. The 1970s energy crisis caused a hiatus from 1974 to 1979. The event returned in 1980 as a non-championship endurance race before gaining international status in 1981.

The Suzuka 1000KM became part of the All-Japan Endurance/Sports Prototype Championship from 1983 to 1991. A single season in the FIA World Sportscar Championship followed in 1992. The race later joined the BPR Global GT Series and FIA GT Championship before becoming a Super GT Series fixture from 2006 to 2017.

Records and Achievements

Porsche holds the record for most overall victories as a manufacturer with 11 wins. Japanese driver Kunimitsu Takahashi achieved four overall victories, the most by any individual driver. The inaugural 1966 race used the famous Le Mans-style start. Bob Wollek and Henri Pescarolo became the first non-Japanese winners in 1981, driving a Porsche 935 K3.

The 1967 race produced a remarkable technical achievement when the winning Porsche Carrera 906 completed all 1000 kilometers on Bridgestone racing tires without a single tire change.

GT3 Racing at Suzuka

GT3 regulations create balanced competition between different manufacturers. These production-based grand touring cars feature specific rules governing engine size, aerodynamics, and weight. The regulations ensure close racing and allow teams from various backgrounds to compete on equal terms.

The 2026 Intercontinental GT Challenge season showcases GT3 endurance racing at its highest level. The Suzuka 1000KM brings this competition to one of Asia's most respected racing circuits. The combination of international teams, diverse manufacturer representation, and the demanding nature of Suzuka Circuit creates a compelling racing spectacle for fans following the series.