Super GT - AUTOBACS Super GT Round3

The AUTOBACS Super GT Round3 scheduled for Sepang International Circuit in Malaysia has been postponed from the 2026 season. The GT Association announced this decision due to regional conflicts and their economic impact on Malaysia, including government work-from-home orders and the cancellation of major events. The supergt series will run seven domestic rounds in Japan during 2026 instead of the originally planned eight races. This marks the first time since 2004 that Super GT will feature fewer than eight championship rounds in a season.

About Super GT

Super GT stands as Japan's premier sports car racing series. The championship features two distinct classes that race simultaneously on the same track. GT500 represents the top category, with manufacturer-backed teams from Toyota, Honda, and Nissan competing in purpose-built silhouette racing cars. GT300 offers more variety, allowing FIA GT3 homologated vehicles from manufacturers like Porsche, Ferrari, Mercedes-AMG, Lamborghini, Aston Martin, and BMW, alongside cars built to Japan's GTA-GT300 regulations.

Race Format and Technical Rules

Each supergt race typically follows a two-driver endurance format covering approximately 300 kilometers. Teams must complete a compulsory pit stop for driver changes and refueling. The series uses a rolling start format and employs a Success Weight system to maintain competitive balance. Cars accumulate ballast based on championship points from previous races. For 2026, GT500 incorporates fuel flow rate reductions and success refueling restrictors at higher weight thresholds, which extend pit stop times.

GT500 cars feature carbon fiber monocoques powered by single-turbocharged, two-liter inline four-cylinder engines producing over 650 horsepower. The 2026 regulations limit teams to one engine per season, with a five-second stop penalty for changes. The standard fuel flow rate drops from 95 kg/h to 90.2 kg/h, and aerodynamic development remains frozen through 2029.

Sepang International Circuit

Sepang International Circuit sits in Selangor, Malaysia, approximately 45 to 60 kilometers south of Kuala Lumpur near the international airport. Hermann Tilke designed the facility, which opened in March 1999. The circuit measures 5.543 kilometers in length and features 15 corners connected by eight straights ranging from 16 to 22 meters wide. Drivers navigate the track in a clockwise direction.

Circuit Characteristics

The layout combines sweeping corners with long straights and challenging braking zones that test tire durability. Malaysia's humid tropical climate presents unpredictable conditions, from intense heat to sudden rainstorms that can transform race strategy in minutes. The facility can accommodate up to 130,000 spectators. Since October 2023, the venue operates under the name Petronas Sepang International Circuit following a three-year naming rights agreement.

Super GT History at Sepang

Sepang International Circuit has strong connections to supergt history. The venue first hosted a special All Japan Grand Touring Car Championship race in 2000, then became an official championship round from 2002 through 2013. The circuit played a key role in Super GT's international expansion during that period. After more than a decade away, Sepang was scheduled to return to the calendar in 2025 as the "SUPER GT Malaysia Festival" before the 2026 round received its postponement.

What Makes Super GT Distinctive

The series attracts top driving talent from Japan and international circuits, including former Formula 1 and World Endurance Championship competitors. Defending champions for 2026 include GT500 drivers Sho Tsuboi and Kenta Yamashita, plus GT300 champions Naoya Gamou and Togo Suganami. Race strategy proves crucial due to the two-driver format and the complex Success Weight system that affects car performance throughout the season.

GT500 cars rank among the fastest production-based sports car racing machines globally, combining advanced aerodynamics with high-power output. The two-class format creates dynamic racing situations as GT500 and GT300 cars share the track, requiring careful overtaking and traffic management. Qualifying for 2026 uses a two-part knockout format, with the top 10 GT500 cars advancing to Q2, while GT300 splits into two groups with the top nine from each progressing.

The 2026 season showcases Toyota's GR Supra, Honda's HRC Prelude GT, and Nissan's Z NISMO in GT500 competition. Multiple tire suppliers continue to compete in 2026, though the series plans to transition to a single tire manufacturer per class in 2027. This competitive environment ensures close racing and strategic depth throughout each race weekend.