Super GT

Last updated • 19 min readFrom Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia

Super GT
SUPER GT logo.svg
Category Sports car racing
Country
  • Flag of Japan.svg Japan
  • Flag of Thailand.svg Thailand (2014–2019)
  • Flag of Malaysia.svg Malaysia (2005–2013)
Inaugural season
  • 1993 (as JGTC)
  • 2005 (as Super GT)
Teams
  • 15 (GT500)
  • 28 (GT300)
  • 43 (total)
Tyre suppliers
Drivers' championGT500:
Flag of Japan.svg Sho Tsuboi
Flag of Japan.svg Kenta Yamashita
GT300:
Flag of Japan.svg Takashi Kogure
Flag of Japan.svg Yuya Motojima
Makes' championGT500: Toyota
GT300: Lamborghini
Teams' championGT500: TGR Team au TOM'S
GT300: JLOC
Official website SuperGT.net
Motorsport current event.svg Current season

Super GT (stylized as SUPER GT) is a sports car racing series that began in 1993. Launched as the Zen Nihon GT Senshuken (全日本GT選手権), generally referred to as the All Japan Grand Touring Car Championship (JGTC), the series was renamed to Super GT in 2005. It is the top level of sports car racing in Japan.

Contents

The series is sanctioned by the Japan Automobile Federation (JAF) and run by the GT Association (GTA). Autobacs has been the title sponsor of the series and its predecessor since 1998.

History

The JGTC years (1993–2004)

The JGTC (Japanese Grand Touring Championship) [1] was established in 1993 [2] [3] by the Japan Automobile Federation (JAF) via its subsidiary company the GTA (GT Association), replacing the defunct All Japan Sports Prototype Championship for Group C cars and the Japanese Touring Car Championship for Group A touring cars, which instead would adopt the supertouring formula. Seeking to prevent the spiraling budgets and one-team/make domination of both series, JGTC imposed strict limits on power, and heavy weight penalties on race winners, in an openly stated objective to keep on-track action close with an emphasis on keeping fans happy.

Super GT (2005–present)

2009 Lexus Petronas Team TOM's SC 430 GT500 champion. Andre Lotterer 2010 Super GT Fuji 400km qualify Super Lap.jpg
2009 Lexus Petronas Team TOM's SC 430 GT500 champion.

The JGTC had planned to hold a race during the 2005 season at the Shanghai International Circuit in China, in addition to the existing overseas round at Sepang in Malaysia. However, holding the series in more than two countries would have meant the JGTC would lose its status as a "national championship" under the International Sporting Code of the FIA, and therefore could not keep "Japanese Championship" in its name. The series would instead be classified as an "international championship" by the FIA, and would therefore require direct authorization from it, rather than the JAF.

Initially, JAF announced JGTC would be renamed "Super GT World Challenge" with the goals of "challenge to the world", and "challenge to entertainment"; however, FIA prevented JAF from using it due to confusion of the suffix with "World Championship" (a higher level FIA recognition status) and a dispute with Sports Car Club of America, which ran Speed World Challenge since 1990.[ citation needed ] On December 10, 2004, it was announced that new name of JGTC was confirmed as "Super GT". However, despite the name change and several attempts at holding a second overseas race, Super GT has continued to only hold one overseas race per year; in theory, it could regain its status as a national championship and return to JAF jurisdiction.

In 2014, Super GT and the German touring car series DTM announced the creation of Class 1, [4] which would unify GT500's and DTM's technical regulations, allowing manufacturers to race in both series with a single specification of car. After some delays, technical regulations were fully aligned in 2020, with the GT500 category fully adopting Class One specifications. [5] By 2021 however, DTM switched to a Group GT3 series due to massive manufacturer exodus. Super GT maintained the current technical regulations for GT500, though the "Class 1" moniker would no longer be used. [6]

Races

Super GT races take place on well-known Japanese race tracks such as Fuji Speedway, Suzuka Circuit, and Mobility Resort Motegi. The series also races at Autopolis in the Kyushu region, Okayama International Circuit in the Chugoku region, and Sportsland Sugo in the Tohoku region. Races are typically single events between 250 and 300 kilometres' distance, with one compulsory pit stop in the middle of the race for driver changes and refuelling. In 2022, the series introduced a new longer-distance format for select races, held over 450 kilometres with two compulsory pit stops. [7]

The series had already expanded internationally by the time it was rebranded in 2005. Sepang International Circuit in Malaysia hosted a championship round every year until 2014, when it was replaced by a new event at Chang International Circuit in Buriram, Thailand. [8] Additional overseas races were planned to be held at Shanghai Circuit in 2005, and Yeongam International Circuit in 2013, [9] but both events were cancelled. Buriram and Sepang were both on the 2020 provisional calendar, but both races were cancelled due to the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. As of the 2023 season, the series has yet to stage another race outside of Japan.

The International Suzuka 1000km endurance race in late August was the longest and most prestigious event on the Super GT calendar, from 2006 when it was added as a championship round, until 2017, the final year of the event in its 1000 km format. The Suzuka 1000 km was replaced with the Intercontinental GT Challenge Suzuka 10 Hours in 2018. [10] [11] That year, Super GT revived the Fuji GT 500 Mile Race (805 km) as the series' new endurance round. It ran from 2018 to 2019, but was not renewed from 2020 onwards.

The Golden Week race at Fuji Speedway, held annually on May 4, is also considered to be the series' most prestigious event. Held during a major public holiday season, it regularly draws the largest crowds of any Super GT race, with a two-day attendance of 91,000 spectators in 2019. [12] It was the first event of the first official JGTC season in 1994, and has been a permanent fixture of the series' calendar with the exception of 2004, when the circuit was closed for renovations, and 2020, due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. Traditionally, this event has been run as the Fuji GT 500 km Race, but in 2022, the event was shortened to 450 km (100 laps).

Due to the effects of the 2009 energy crisis in Japan, the Fuji 500 km and Suzuka 1000 km race distances were shortened. The 2011 Tohoku earthquake and tsunami and its effects resulted in a further reduction in all race distances for the season, before standard distances were restored in 2012.

Non-championship rounds have been run sporadically during Super GT's history. The Fuji Sprint Cup was held from 2010 to 2013, consisting of two sprint races per class. The first annual Super GT x DTM Dream Race was held in November 2019, consisting of two sprint races for GT500 and DTM cars, supported by the auto sport Web Sprint Cup, two sprint races for select GT300 teams as well as one-off GT3 entries from other Japanese events.

Cars

The cars are divided into two classes: GT500 and GT300. The names of the categories derive from their traditional maximum horsepower limit – in the early years of the series, GT500 cars would have no more than 500 horsepower, GT300 cars would max out at around 300 hp. However, the current generation of GT500 engines produce in excess of 650 horsepower. Meanwhile, in present-day GT300, the horsepower range varies from around 400 to just over 550 horsepower; however, GT300 cars have far less downforce than their GT500 counterparts.

In both groups, the car number is assigned to the team, in which each team is allowed to choose whichever number they want as long as the number isn't already used by any other team. The number assigned to each team is permanent, and may only change hands when the team exits the series. The number 1 is reserved for the defending GT500 champion, and the number 0 is reserved for the reigning GT300 champion.

For easy identification, headlight covers, windshield decals, and number panels are white on GT500 cars, and yellow on GT300 cars.

GT500

2014 Super GT (GT500), Suzuka Circuit 2014 Super GT Suzuka race start (GT500).jpg
2014 Super GT (GT500), Suzuka Circuit

The top class in Super GT, GT500, is composed entirely of manufacturer-supported teams, representing the three biggest Japanese automobile manufacturers: Toyota, Honda, and Nissan.

Since 2014, GT500 cars have been powered by single-turbocharged, inline four-cylinder engines with two liters of displacement and producing over 650 horsepower. The cars are silhouette racing cars with purpose-built carbon fibre monocoques. The advancements in aerodynamics and horsepower, combined with an ongoing tyre war driving even higher speeds, have made the GT500 class the fastest form of production-based sports car racing today. The pace of a current GT500 car is roughly equivalent to that of the fastest non-hybrid Le Mans Prototypes. [13]

For many years, the Nissan Skyline GT-R, the Toyota Supra, and the Honda NSX (NA1) represented their respective brands in GT500. Today, the three cars competing in GT500 are the Nissan Z (RZ34), the revived Toyota GR Supra, and the Honda Civic Type R (FL5). Other models, such as the Nissan Fairlady Z, Lexus SC 430, Lexus RC F, Lexus LC 500, Nissan GT-R, and the Honda NSX (NC1) have been used, as well as the Honda HSV-010 GT, a prototype car developed specifically for Super GT with its planned road-going variant having been cancelled.

In the earlier years of the GT500 category, a number of foreign manufacturers entered cars in the series, with varying success. The Porsche 911 GT2 and the BMW-powered McLaren F1 GTR are, to date, the only foreign cars to win the GT500 championship, when the former won the teams' title in 1995 and the latter won both titles in 1996. A longtail version of the F1 GTR would later score a race victory in 2001. The Ferrari F40, Porsche 911 Turbo, and Porsche 962. The last foreign-built car to enter the series was the Aston Martin DBR9, which fared poorly in its brief run in 2009 - illustrating the overwhelming advantage in raw pace that the GT500 class cars had over the FIA GT1 category cars that dominated the landscape in Europe; Team Goh, who entered the 1996 F1 GTRs, planned to enter a Maserati MC12 in 2006, but withdrew during testing for similar reasons. [14] [15]

In 2012, the GT500 regulations was changed in order to provide provisions for four-door vehicles, although none was run until Honda announced that the Civic Type R will replace the outgoing NSX in 2024. [16] In 2010, front-engine, rear-wheel drive layout became the only permitted layout in the class, prompting Honda to initially replace the first generation-based NSX GT with the HSV-010. In 2014, Honda was granted a waiver to allow the NSX-Concept GT and NSX-GT (both second-generation based models) to run with a midship engine to match the road car's engine position; the waiver expired at the end of 2019 season with the implementation of Class 1 technical regulations, after which Honda was required to redesign the NSX-GT to accommodate a front-engine layout. [17]

New GT500 cars were introduced in 2014 in preparation for the future Class 1 Touring Cars, including the first car in the class to utilize a KERS-assisted hybrid powertrain, the Honda NSX Concept-GT. Common aerodynamic regulations with the DTM were adopted, as was Class 1's turbocharged four-cylinder engine specification. Furthermore, the 2014 rules overhaul also increased the cars' downforce by 30%, while lowering costs. Aerodynamic development above a "design line" wrapping around the fenders, bumpers, and doorsills was restricted. Over sixty common parts were introduced, including the brakes, diffuser, and rear wing. [18]

In response to increasing cornering speeds, another aerodynamic overhaul was introduced in 2017, lowering downforce by 25%. [19] Furthermore, KERS units were banned, although the only manufacturer to utilize such systems, Honda, had already discontinued their usage in 2016. [20] In 2020, Class 1 technical regulations were fully implemented, with the manufacturers introducing new cars to comply with the new rules. Aerodynamic development was further restricted, and a standardized ECU and suspension were introduced. [21]

Selection
2005
Nissan Fairlady Z (Z33) GT-R (R35) Z GT500 (RZ34)
Toyota/Lexus Supra (A80) GR Supra (DB42) [22]
SC 430 (UZZ40) RC F (USC10) [23] LC 500 (URZ100)
Honda NSX-GT (NA2) HSV-010 GT NSX Concept-GT [24] NSX-GT (NC1) [25] Civic Type R-GT
McLaren F1 GTR
Lamborghini Murciélago
Ferrari 550 GTS
Aston Martin DBR9

Cars

MakeCarYears competedEngineImageNote
Aston Martin Aston Martin DBR9 2009 Aston Martin DBR9 6.0L NA V12 Part-time entry in 2009.
Audi Audi RS5 Turbo DTM 2019 Audi RC8 2.0 TFSI turbo I4 Rene Rast 2019 DTM Hockenheim (May) FP2.jpg Only entered in the 2019 Super GT × DTM Dream Race
BMW BMW M4 Turbo DTM 2019 BMW P48 Turbo 2.0L turbo I4 BMW M4DTM 4Hao Che .jpg Only entered in the 2019 Super GT × DTM Dream Race
Ferrari Ferrari 550 GTS 2005 Ferrari F133 5.9L NA V12 JLMC Ferrari 550GTS.JPG Ex-Prodrive chassis
Honda Honda NSX-GT (NA2) 2005–2009 Honda C32B
3.0L turbo V6 (2005 Rd.1-3)
3.5L NA V6 (2005 Rd.4-2008)
3.4L NA V6 (2009)
ARTA NSX 01.jpg
Honda HSV-010 GT 2010–2013 Honda HR10EG 3.4L NA V8 Ralph Firman 2010 Super GT Fuji 400km qualify Super Lap.jpg
Honda NSX Concept-GT 2014–2016 Honda HR-414E 2.0L turbo I4 ArtaNSXsugo.jpg Equipped with a Zytek battery hybrid powertrain system from 2014 to 2015.
Honda NSX-GT (NC1) 2017–2021 Honda HR-417E 2.0L turbo I4 (2017–2019)
Honda HR-420E 2.0L turbo I4 (2020–present)
The frontview of No.100 RAYBRIG NSX-GT 2018 year model.jpg Debuted as a mid-engine model in 2017.
Changed to a front-engine model in 2020 to comply with current regulations.
2022–2023 Suzuka Fan Thanksgiving Day 2022 (358) - SUPER GT Pre-Season Match.jpg Updated styling based on Honda NSX Type S model.
Honda Civic Type R-GT (FL5) 2024 Osaka Auto Messe 2023 (43) - Honda CIVIC TYPE R-GT CONCEPT.jpg
Lamborghini Lamborghini Murciélago RG-1 2005 Lamborghini L535 6.0L NA V12 JLOC murcielago superGT-2005.jpg Moved to the GT300 class before the end of the 2005 season.
Lexus Lexus SC430 GT500 2006–2013 Lexus 3UZ-FE 4.5L NA V8 (2006–2008)
Lexus RV8 kg 3.4L NA V8 (2009–2013)
Andre Lotterer 2010 Super GT Fuji SC 430.jpg Used by four Toyota teams in 2006, then by all teams from 2007.
Lexus RC F GT500 2014–2016 Lexus RI4AG 2.0L turbo I4 Kohei Hirate 2014 Super GT Suzuka FP.jpg
Lexus LC 500 GT500 2017–2019 No.38 ZENT CERUMO LC500 at 2019 Suzuka 300km (1).jpg
McLaren McLaren F1 GTR 2005 BMW S70/2 6.0L NA V12 FoS20162016 0625 082817AA (27801509712).jpg Part-time entry in 2005.
Nissan Nissan Fairlady Z GT500 (Z33) 2005–2007 Nissan VQ30DETT 3.0L turbo V6 (2005-2006 Rd.8)
Nissan VK45DE 4.5L NA V8 (2006 Rd.9-2007)
Nissan Xanavi Nismo Z 2013 Nissan Global Headquarters Gallery.jpg
Nissan GT-R GT500 2008–2013 Nissan VK45DE 4.5L NA V8 (2008–2009)
Nissan VRH34A 3.4L NA V8 (2010-2011 Rd.4)
Nissan VRH34B 3.4L NA V8 (2011 Rd.5-2013)
XANAVI NISMO GT-R 23 front.jpg
Nissan GT-R NISMO GT500 2014–2021 Nissan NR20A 2.0L turbo I4 (2014–2019)
Nissan NR20B 2.0L turbo I4 (2020)
Nissan NR4S21 2.0L turbo I4 (2021)
Osaka Auto Messe 2020 (149) - No.23 MOTUL AUTECH GT-R in 2019 SUPER GT.jpg
Nissan Fairlady Z NISMO GT500 2022–present Nissan NR4S21 2.0L turbo I4 (2022–2023)
Nissan NR4S24 2.0L turbo I4 (2024–present)
Suzuka Fan Thanksgiving Day 2022 (350) - SUPER GT Pre-Season Match.jpg
Toyota Toyota Supra GT500 2005–2006 Toyota 3UZ-FE 4.5L NA V8 K700i-acat(22).jpg Used by two Toyota teams in 2006.
Toyota GR Supra GT500 2020–present Toyota RI4AG 2.0L turbo I4 (2020–2023)
Toyota RI4BG 2.0L turbo I4 (2024–present)
No.36 au TOM'S GR Supra after 2022 Takanoko no Hotel Suzuka GT 300km (1).jpg

Turbocharger

The standard turbochargers were introduced from the start of 2014 season. The single-turbocharger configuration produces boost pressure up to 3.5  bar (51  psi ). Swiss-American turbocharger company Garrett Advancing Motion, a subsidiary of Honeywell International Inc., currently supplies exclusive turbocharger kits including wastegate (846519-15) for all Super GT GT500 cars.

GT500 specifications (2014-present)

Engine displacement2.0 L (122 cu in) DOHC inline-4
Turbocharger Garrett TR35R 846519–15
Gearbox6-speed semi-automatic paddle shift gearbox
WeightOver 1,020 kg (2,249 lb) including driver and fuel
Power outputApproximately 650 hp (485 kW)
Fuel102 RON unleaded gasoline (2014–2022)
ETS Racing Fuels Renewablaze R100 carbon neutral fuel (2023–present)
Fuel capacity120 litres (32 US gallons ; 26 imperial gallons )
Fuel delivery Direct fuel injection
Aspiration Single-turbocharged
Length4,650–4,725 mm (183–186 in) excluding rear wing; 5,010 mm (197 in) including rear wing
Width1,950 mm (77 in)
Wheelbase2,750 mm (108 in) fixed
SteeringServo-assisted rack and pinion
Tire suppliers Bridgestone, Yokohama and Dunlop

GT300

A Lotus Evora MC leads several GT3 cars. One scene at Suzuka Fan Thanksgiving Day 2017 (10).jpg
A Lotus Evora MC leads several GT3 cars.

Unlike GT500, both works-backed and independent teams compete in GT300, so the field tends to be much more varied in terms of types of cars entered. As in GT500, the major Japanese automakers participate in this class, entering cars such as the Toyota Prius and Subaru BRZ, which comply with JAF-GT regulations. However, the GT300 class is predominantly composed of GT3-class cars from European manufacturers such as Audi and Mercedes, although Toyota/Lexus, Nissan and Honda are also represented in the class by GT3 cars. This reflects a growing interest in the series from European manufacturers, with Audi and BMW fielding works-supported entries. Toyota/Lexus, Nissan, and Subaru also campaign works-supported cars in the class.

The GT300 class used to host more exotic cars from the likes of ASL, Mosler, Mooncraft and Vemac, as well as detuned GT500 cars, such as the 2004 title-winning M-TEC NSX. However, starting in 2006, teams increasingly chose to campaign European GT cars instead, a trend that accelerated in 2010 with the introduction of FIA GT cars to the series. In response to the decline of locally produced entries from specialist manufacturers, the GTA worked with Dome to create the "Mother Chassis" (ja: マザーシャシー), a low-cost GT300 platform, [26] with the first MC car entering the series in 2014. Mother Chassis cars utilize a standard Dome-produced tub and GTA-branded Nissan VK45DE engine, while maintaining the appearance of production cars such as the Toyota 86, Lotus Evora, and Toyota Mark X. The MC concept proved to be popular with independent teams, as well as competitive, with the Toyota 86 MC winning the GT300 championship in 2016.

Since 2006, Group GT1 and Group GT2 could race in GT300, and Group GT3 cars are able to enter GT300 since 2010 season. After the 2011 season, GTA announced GT1 and GTE cars are not eligible anymore with the intention of reducing costs, and adopted full GT3 rule.

2006 Privee Zurich Shiden (MC/RT-16). RT-16 2006.JPG
2006 Privée Zurich Shiden (MC/RT-16).

One of the more unique GT300 competitors was the Mooncraft Shiden MC/RT-16, a Riley Daytona Prototype-based revival of the original 1977 Mooncraft Shiden 77 (紫電77). [27] It competed from 2006 to 2012, narrowly losing the title in 2006, and winning the championship in 2007. Front-wheel drive cars such as the Mitsubishi FTO, Toyota Celica and Cavalier, a rarity in top-level circuit racing, are further examples of unique GT300 machines. They competed in their original configurations until the early 2000s, when FWD cars were being permitted to be converted to rear-wheel drive configuration. The FWD cars were mostly unsuccessful, failing to win any championships, although a Celica won a race in 1999 after a Porsche 911 was disqualified. Rear-wheel drive cars dominated the series until 2008, when an all-wheel drive Subaru Impreza developed by Cusco won in Sepang. An open top car, Renault Sport Spider, made a one-off participation in 1997, also with lack of success.

2015 Toyota Prius apr GT. No.31 TOYOTA PRIUS apr GT at 2015 International Suzuka 1000km (14).JPG
2015 Toyota Prius apr GT.

Hybrid cars first raced in the GT300 class in 2012, when apr introduced their Toyota Prius apr GT, and Team Mugen fielded a Honda CR-Z GT. Both cars were heavily modified from their production counterparts. The Prius was powered by a 3.4 liter V8 LMP1 engine, which worked in concert with production Hybrid Synergy Drive components; the CR-Z utilized a 2.8 liter V6 LMP2 engine and a 50 kW Zytek electric motor. [28] [29] Both the CR-Z and Prius were mid-engined, differing from their front-engined road-going counterparts; this resulted in the CR-Z's withdrawal after the 2015 season, as new regulations for 2016 stipulated that GT300 cars' engines were to be located in the same position as in their production counterparts. However, apr took advantage of a loophole in the regulations to continue to race their mid-engine Prius until 2018, [30] when the team was required to build a new, front-engine Prius. [31]

The development of GT300 cars is much more regulated than that of their GT500 counterparts; the GTA works with the Stephane Ratel Organisation to balance the performance of all GT300 cars via technical adjustments in order to create close racing. [32] While the GT3 cars in the class are closely related to production cars, the JAF-GT machines differ from production vehicles to a greater degree, and in the case of the Mother Chassis cars, share little more than a badge and exterior styling with their road-going counterparts. While engine outputs are at a lower level than the GT500 cars, the GT300 cars still post competitive times and races are relatively tight when combined with GT500 traffic. As it is becoming increasingly more difficult for GT500 cars to overtake GT300s, the GTA may review the speed difference between the two classes in the future, especially if the pace of the GT300 cars continues to increase. [33]

Cars

MakeCarCategoryYears competedImageNote
ASL ASL ARTA Garaiya JAF-GT2005, 2007–2012 No.43 ARTA Garaiya at 2011 Pokka GT Summer Special (8).jpg
Aston Martin Aston Martin V8 Vantage FIA GT22010–2012 Hiroki Yoshimoto 2010 Super GT Fuji 400km qualify.jpg Served until Round 1, 2012
Aston Martin V12 Vantage GT3 FIA GT32012–2014 Hideto Yasuoka 2014 Super GT Suzuka Q1.jpg
Aston Martin Vantage AMR GT3 FIA GT32019–2020 (first generation)

2024–present (second generation)

No.7 D'Station Vantage GT3 at 2019 Suzuka 300km (73).jpg
Audi Audi R8 LMS FIA GT32012–2016 (first generation)
2016–2023 (second generation)
No.33 EVA RT TYPE-01 X Works R8 at 2020 FUJIMAKI GROUP SUZUKA 300km (9).jpg
BMW BMW Z4 M Coupé JAF-GT2008–2009 Chu Yin miku Studie GLAD BMW Z4 (3462825042).jpg
BMW Z4 GT3 FIA GT32011–2015 No.4 GOODSMILE HATSUNE MIKU Z4 at 2014 SUZUKA TEST (29).jpg
BMW M6 GT3 FIA GT32016–2018, 2020–2021 No.7 Studie BMW M6 at 2020 FUJIMAKI GROUP SUZUKA 300km (38).jpg
BMW M4 GT3 FIA GT32022–present No.7 Studie BMW M4 at 2022 Takanoko no Hotel Suzuka GT 300km (30).jpg
Bentley Bentley Continental GT3 FIA GT32017–2018 No.117 EIcars BENTLEY GT3 after SUZUKA 1000km THE FINAL.jpg
Chevrolet Chevrolet Corvette C6 JAF-GT2005, 2008
Chevrolet Corvette Z06-R FIA GT32011–2013 Dijon Neon Callaway Wako's ED 2012 Super GT Sugo free practice.jpg
Chevrolet Corvette C7.R FIA GT32019Only entered in the 2019 auto sport Web Sprint Cup exhibition race.
Ferrari Ferrari 360 Modena JAF-GT2005–2009
Ferrari F430 GT2 JAF-GT
FIA GT2
2007–2009
2009–2012
No.41 NetMove TAISAN Ferrari at 2011 Pokka GT Summer Special (21).jpg
Ferrari 458 Italia GT3 FIA GT2
FIA GT3
2011 (GT2)
2012–2013 Rd.3, 2015 (GT3)
No.77 KsFrontier Direction 458 at 2015 International Suzuka 1000km (14).JPG
Ferrari 488 GT3 FIA GT32017, 2021–2022 2022 PACIFIC hololive NAC Ferrari front.jpg
Ferrari 296 GT3 FIA GT32024–present No.45 PONOS FERRARI 296 after 2024 Suzuka GT 3 Hours Race (2).jpg
Ford Ford GT JAF-GT2006–2007Run by DHG Racing, powered by a 3.5L V8 based on a Mugen design
Honda Honda NSX JAF-GT
FIA GT3
2005 (JAF-GT)
2018–present (FIA GT3)
No.18 UPGARAGE NSX GT3 at 2022 Takanoko no Hotel Suzuka GT 300km (15).jpg JAF-GT specification is the first generation (NA2) NSX
FIA GT3 specification is the second generation (NC1) NSX.
Honda CR-Z GT JAF-GT2012–2015 No.0 MUGEN CR-Z GT at 2014 SUPER GT SUZUKA TEST (44).jpg Petrol-electric hybrid
Lamborghini Lamborghini Murciélago RG-1 JAF-GT2005–2009 JLOC murcielago superGT-2005.jpg Developed by JLOC, initially competed as a detuned GT500 car
Lamborghini Gallardo JAF-GT
FIA GT3
2007–2012 (JAF-GT)
2012–2015 (FIA GT3)
No.88 ManePa Lamborghini GT3 at 2014 SUPER GT SUZUKA TEST (5).JPG JAF-GT specification is the RG-3 variant developed by JLOC.
FIA GT3 specification is the GT3 variant developed by Reiter Engineering.
Lamborghini Huracán GT3 FIA GT32016–2019 (first generation)
2019–2024 (second generation)
2023–present (third generation)
No.88 JLOC Lamborghini GT3 after 2023.8.26-27 SUZUKA GT 450km (1).jpg Second generation car served until Round 3, 2024
Lexus Lexus IS350 GT300 JAF-GT2008–2012 SG Changi IS350 2011 Super GT Fuji 250km.jpg
Lexus RC F GT3 FIA GT32015–present No.96 K-tunes RC F GT3 at 2019 Suzuka 300km.jpg
Lexus LC500h GT JAF-GT2023–present No.31 apr LC500h GT after 2023.8.26-27 SUZUKA GT 450km (1).jpg
Lotus Lotus Exige 300RR JAF-GT2005Sspot participant at the Malaysian round, powered by a GM Ecotec engine
Lotus Evora MC JAF-GT2015–2021 No.2 SYNTIUM Apple Lotus at 2019 Suzuka 300km (1).jpg Mother Chassis platform, [34] constructed by Mooncraft.
Mazda Mazda RX-7 JAF-GT2005–2010 RE AMEMIYA RX-7 01.jpg
McLaren McLaren MP4-12C GT3 FIA GT32013–2015 No.9 PACIFIC McLaren with m's at 2015 Suzuka Tire Test (10).JPG
McLaren 720S GT3 FIA GT32019 No.720 McLaren 720S GT3 (2).jpg
Mercedes-Benz Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG GT3 FIA GT32012–2017 No.52 GREEN TEC & LEON SLS at 2012 Pokka 1000km (38).jpg
Mercedes-AMG GT3 FIA GT32016–2020 (first generation)
2020–present (second generation)
No.4 GOODSMILE HATSUNEMIKU AMG in 2022 SUPER GT (2).jpg
Mooncraft Mooncraft Shiden JAF-GT2006–2012 No.2 EVANGELION RT shogouki Apple Shiden ver.2012.JPG Based on a Riley Technologies Daytona Prototype
Mosler Mosler MT900 JAF-GT2005–2007, 2010–2011 Melvin Choo 2010 Super GT Fuji 400km qualify.jpg As a spot participant in 2009 and 2012
Nissan Nissan Fairlady Z (Z33) JAF-GT2005–2010 FairladyZ-endless2005.jpg
Nissan GT-R Nismo GT3 FIA GT32012–2019 (first generation)
2018–present (second generation)
No.56 REALIZE NISSAN MECHANIC CHALLENGE GT-R at 2022 Takanoko no Hotel Suzuka GT 300km (31).jpg
Nissan Fairlady Z (RZ34) JAF-GT2024-present GAINER TANAX Z.jpg Developed by GAINER [35]
Porsche Porsche 911 GT3 FIA GT2
FIA GT3
JAF-GT
2005–2011 (GT2/JAF-GT)
2010–2021 (GT3)
No.25 HOPPY Porsche at 2020 FUJIMAKI GROUP SUZUKA 300km (43).jpg
Porsche Boxster JAF-GT2005–2010 No.666 BOMEX LIAN BOXSTER at 2010 Pokka GT Summer Special.JPG
Porsche 968 GT4 JAF-GT2005
Subaru Subaru Impreza WRX STi JAF-GT2005–2008 Cusco Dunlop Subaru Impreza 2008 Fuji GT 500km.jpg Rear-wheel drive 4-door sedan in 2005.

Converted to 4WD layout in 2006.

Subaru Legacy JAF-GT2009–2011 Subaru Legacy B4 2009 Motegi GT 250km.jpg 4WD 4-door sedan in 2009.

Converted to rear-wheel drive layout in 2010.

Subaru BRZ GT300 JAF-GT2012–2020 (first generation)
2021–present (second generation)
Osaka Auto Messe 2022 (11) - No.61 SUBARU BRZ R&D SPORT ver.2021.jpg
Toyota Toyota MR-S JAF-GT2005–2008 Lightning McQueen apr MR-S 2008 Super GT.jpg
Toyota Celica JAF-GT2005–2008 TOYOTA Celica (1457458240).jpg Served until Round 3, 2008
Toyota Corolla Axio apr GT JAF-GT2009–2011 COROLLA AXIO GT300.jpg 4-door sedan, used a Toyota 2GR-FSE engine
Toyota Prius apr GT JAF-GT2012–2015 (first generation)
2016–2018 (second generation)
2019–2022 (third generation)
No.31 TOYOTA GR SPORT PRIUS PHV apr GT after 2019 Suzuka 300km (1).jpg First and second generation car is mid-engined,
third generation car is front-engined.
Petrol-electric hybrid sedan, hybrid system turned off on #30 car in 2019.
Toyota 86 MC JAF-GT2014–present No.5 ADVICS MACH SYAKEN MC86 at 2019 Suzuka 300km.jpg Mother Chassis platform, designed and constructed by Dome. Spot entry in 2014.
Toyota Mark X MC JAF-GT2017–2019 No.52 SAITAMA TOYOPET GB MARK X MC after 2019 Suzuka 300km (1).jpg Mother Chassis platform. 4-door sedan designed by Saitama Toyopet.
Toyota GR Supra GT300 JAF-GT2020–present No.60 SYNTIUM LM corsa GR Supra GT at 2022 Takanoko no Hotel Suzuka GT 300km (35).jpg Developed by apr.
Tsuchiya Engineering uses self-built chassis on the same basic design.
Toyota GR86 GT300 JAF-GT2022–present No.20 SHADE RACING GR86 GT at 2022 Takanoko no Hotel Suzuka GT 300km (41).jpg Developed by apr.
Vemac Vemac RD320R JAF-GT2005–2011 Mach GoGoGo Shaken RD320R 2011 Super GT Fuji 250km.jpg Developed by Tokyo R&D.
Uses a Honda NSX engine.
Team Mach's car uses a Porsche 911 GT3 engine.
Vemac RD350R JAF-GT2005–2012 R'Qs Vemac 350R 2012 Super GT Sugo free practice 2.jpg Developed by Tokyo R&D initially for GT500.
Uses a Zytek V8.
Vemac RD408R JAF-GT2006–2010 No.5 MACH GoGoGo SYAKEN 408R at 2010 Pokka GT Summer Special (2).jpg Developed by Tokyo R&D initially for GT500.
Uses a Mugen LMP engine.
Team Mach's car uses a Porsche 911 GT3 engine.

GT300 specifications

Circuits

NumberCountry / CircuitYears
1 Flag of Japan.svg Fuji Speedway 2005–present
2 Flag of Japan.svg Suzuka Circuit 2005–present
3 Flag of Japan.svg Twin Ring Motegi 2005–present
4 Flag of Japan.svg Okayama International Circuit 2005–2019, 2021–present
5 Flag of Japan.svg Sportsland Sugo 2005–2019, 2021–present
6 Flag of Japan.svg Autopolis 2005–2009, 2011–2015, 2017–2019, 2021–present
7 Flag of Malaysia.svg Sepang International Circuit 2005–2013, 2025
8 Flag of Thailand.svg Chang International Circuit 2014–2019

Parity

Super GT is unique in its open and blunt statement that it is committed to providing exciting racing first, at the expense of runaway investment by works teams. GT500 cars are fitted with many common parts, lowering costs and equalizing the performance of those parts across all competitors. In the GT300 class, air restrictor sizes, minimum weights, ride heights, and maximum turbo boost pressures are modified on a race-to-race basis to balance performance across all cars. All adjustments to the regulations and the balance of performance are publicly accessible.

The regulations stipulate that no single driver drive over two-thirds of the race distance, which affects the timing of pit stops and driver changes, therefore preventing strategy from dominating the competition. [36] Formerly, the regulations went further and required pit stops and driver changes be done within mandatory windows; in 2004, during an exhibition race held at Fontana, a few teams were penalised after the race ended when race officials discovered their pit stops came one lap before the mandatory window had opened.

Success Weight

Perhaps the best-known performance balancing system in use in the Super GT is its Success Ballast system, also known as Success Weight and formerly referred to as "weight handicap". [37] Weight penalties are assigned depending on a car's performance during the race, similar to systems used in the DTM and the BTCC. The system metes out two kilograms of ballast per point scored; [38] it formerly added ballast based on qualifying positions and individual lap times. Stickers on the cars display every car's weight handicap level. In the 2007 season, the Takata NSX team achieved a record-breaking 5 pole positions in the first 7 races, but due to the weight handicap system, they only won one race among those seven. Such regulations keep the championship in play up to the final race of the season: only two GT500 teams (ARTA in 2007 and MOLA in 2012) and one GT300 team (GAINER with André Couto in 2015) have managed to clinch a driver's championship prior to the final race.

Following repeated cases of teams and drivers not winning a single race but still winning the championship (in 2003, neither the GT500 nor GT300 champions won a single race in particular), the handicap system was changed in 2009 to combat sandbagging, discouraging a team from intentionally performing poorly in order to secure a more favorable weight handicap. The ballast is now halved in the penultimate race and lifted altogether in the final race for teams that participated in every round of the season. Teams missing only one round receive halved-ballast in the final race instead.

In 2017, the weight handicap system for GT500 cars was amended to add fuel flow restrictions. Actual weight ballast will be capped at 50 kilograms for reasons of practicality and safety. When a car's assigned ballast exceeds 50 kilograms, it will be assigned a lesser amount of weight ballast, but a fuel flow restriction will be imposed, the severity of which increases according to the size of the assigned weight handicap. While the amount of actual weight ballast carried may vary, the weight handicap stickers on the cars will continue to display the assigned weight handicap. [39] [40]

The drivers

Like the series, Super GT drivers are very popular in Japan with a growing international fanbase. One driver who gained international appeal is Keiichi Tsuchiya, who raced for the Taisan and ARTA teams before moving to a managerial role upon his retirement in 2004. Other drivers who were famously associated with the series and still are actively involved in Super GT through team ownership are Masahiro Hasemi, Kazuyoshi Hoshino, Aguri Suzuki, and Kunimitsu Takahashi, with the latter being a former President of the GT Association, which runs the series. The series also attracts drivers who see the series as a stepping-stone to Formula One such as Ralf Schumacher and Pedro de la Rosa, as well as former F1 drivers, most famously Érik Comas, who was the series' most successful driver until he stepped down from his position as a number one driver, and 2016 champion Heikki Kovalainen. After a one-off appearance in 2017, 2009 F1 world champion Jenson Button drove for Team Kunimitsu in 2018 and 2019, winning the 2018 title.

In the GT300 class, notable drivers include Nobuteru Taniguchi of Goodsmile Racing, who is also well known as a D1GP competitor, [41] and Manabu Orido, a former D1GP judge currently driving for apr Racing. Other well-known drivers in the category were the TV presenter and singer Hiromi Kozono and Masahiko Kondo, who was also a pop star, actor, and racer-turned-GT500 team owner. Another popular GT300 driver was Tetsuya Yamano, who runs his own driving school and took the GT300 class victory at Sepang for three consecutive years.

Champions

Overall, across all classes, 36 different drivers have won the drivers' championship in Super GT. Japan has produced the most winning drivers with 26. For the ten non-Japanese drivers who had become champions, eight of them won the drivers championship in the GT500 class while Macau driver André Couto and Brazilian driver João Paulo de Oliveira won the championship in the GT300 class.

Italian driver Ronnie Quintarelli won the most drivers championship titles with four. Quintarelli also holds the record for the most drivers championship title won by a non-Japanese driver and the most drivers championship won in GT500 class with four. Tatsuya Kataoka, Nobuteru Taniguchi and Tetsuya Yamano were tied for the record of most drivers championship won in GT300 class with three, with Yamano won his first GT300 championship title when the series was still named JGTC. Yamano was also the first driver to win multiple championship as well as the sport's first two-time champion, all of them won consecutively, notably with different teams in all occasions. Three drivers, Toranosuke Takagi in 2005, Jenson Button in 2018, and Nirei Fukuzumi in 2019 have managed to win the championship in their first full-season attempt. As of the end of the 2024 season, Masataka Yanagida, Kazuya Oshima and Takashi Kogure are the only drivers in the series' history to have won the drivers championship title in both classes.

SeasonCategoryDrivers' ChampionshipTeams' Championship
Driver(s)CarTeamCar
2005 GT500 Flag of Japan.svg Yuji Tachikawa
Flag of Japan.svg Toranosuke Takagi
Toyota Supra Nismo Xanavi/Motul Pitwork Nissan Fairlady Z Z33
GT300 Flag of Japan.svg Tetsuya Yamano
Flag of Japan.svg Kota Sasaki
Toyota MR-S Team Reckless Toyota MR-S
2006 GT500 Flag of Japan.svg Juichi Wakisaka
Flag of Germany.svg André Lotterer
Lexus SC 430 Open Interface Toyota Team TOM'S Lexus SC 430
GT300 Flag of Japan.svg Tetsuya Yamano
Flag of Japan.svg Hiroyuki Iiri
Mazda RX-7 RE Amemiya Racing Asparadrink Mazda RX-7 FD3S
2007 GT500 Flag of Japan.svg Daisuke Ito
Flag of Ireland.svg Ralph Firman
Honda NSX Autobacs Racing Team Aguri Honda NSX
GT300 Flag of Japan.svg Kazuya Oshima
Flag of Japan.svg Hiroaki Ishiura
Toyota MR-S Cars Tokai Dream 28
Privée Kenzo Asset
Mooncraft/Riley Shiden MC/RT-16.
2008 GT500 Flag of Japan.svg Satoshi Motoyama
Flag of France.svg Benoît Tréluyer
Nissan GT-R Petronas Toyota Team TOM'S Lexus SC 430
GT300 Flag of Japan.svg Kazuki Hoshino
Flag of Japan.svg Hironobu Yasuda
Nissan Fairlady Z Z33 MOLA Nissan Fairlady Z Z33
2009 GT500 Flag of Japan.svg Juichi Wakisaka
Flag of Germany.svg André Lotterer
Lexus SC 430 Lexus Team Petronas TOM'S Lexus SC 430
GT300 Flag of Japan.svg Tatsuya Kataoka
Flag of Japan.svg Manabu Orido
Lexus IS 350 Racing Project Bandoh Lexus IS 350
2010 GT500 Flag of Japan.svg Takashi Kogure
Flag of France.svg Loïc Duval
Honda HSV-010 GT Weider Honda Racing Honda HSV-010 GT
GT300 Flag of Japan.svg Kazuki Hoshino
Flag of Japan.svg Masataka Yanagida
Nissan Fairlady Z Z33 Hasemi Motorsport Nissan Fairlady Z Z33
2011 GT500 Flag of Italy.svg Ronnie Quintarelli
Flag of Japan.svg Masataka Yanagida
Nissan GT-R MOLA Nissan GT-R
GT300 Flag of Japan.svg Nobuteru Taniguchi
Flag of Japan.svg Taku Bamba
BMW Z4 GT3 Goodsmile Racing & Studie with TeamUKYO BMW Z4 GT3
2012 GT500 Flag of Italy.svg Ronnie Quintarelli
Flag of Japan.svg Masataka Yanagida
Nissan GT-R MOLA Nissan GT-R
GT300 Flag of Japan.svg Kyosuke Mineo
Flag of Japan.svg Naoki Yokomizo
Porsche 911 GT3-R Team Taisan ENDLESS Porsche 911 GT3-R
2013 GT500 Flag of Japan.svg Yuji Tachikawa
Flag of Japan.svg Kohei Hirate
Lexus SC430 Lexus Team ZENT Cerumo Lexus SC430
GT300 Flag of Japan.svg Hideki Mutoh
Flag of Japan.svg Yuhki Nakayama
Honda CR-Z Team Mugen Honda CR-Z
2014 GT500 Flag of Japan.svg Tsugio Matsuda
Flag of Italy.svg Ronnie Quintarelli
Nissan GT-R Nismo Nissan GT-R
GT300 Flag of Japan.svg Tatsuya Kataoka
Flag of Japan.svg Nobuteru Taniguchi
BMW Z4 GT3 GAINER Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG
2015 GT500 Flag of Japan.svg Tsugio Matsuda
Flag of Italy.svg Ronnie Quintarelli
Nissan GT-R Nismo Nissan GT-R
GT300 Flag of Macau.svg André Couto Nissan GT-R NISMO GT3 GAINER Nissan GT-R NISMO GT3
2016 GT500 Flag of Finland.svg Heikki Kovalainen
Flag of Japan.svg Kohei Hirate
Lexus RC F Lexus Team SARD Lexus RC F
GT300 Flag of Japan.svg Takeshi Tsuchiya
Flag of Japan.svg Takamitsu Matsui
Toyota 86 MC VivaC team Tsuchiya Toyota 86 MC
2017 GT500 Flag of Japan.svg Ryo Hirakawa
Flag of New Zealand.svg Nick Cassidy
Lexus LC 500 Lexus Team KeePer TOM'S Lexus LC 500
GT300 Flag of Japan.svg Tatsuya Kataoka
Flag of Japan.svg Nobuteru Taniguchi
Mercedes-AMG GT3 Goodsmile Racing & Team Ukyo Mercedes-AMG GT3
2018 GT500 Flag of Japan.svg Naoki Yamamoto
Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Jenson Button
Honda NSX Team Kunimitsu Honda NSX
GT300 Flag of Japan.svg Naoya Gamou
Flag of Japan.svg Haruki Kurosawa
Mercedes-AMG GT3 K2 R&D LEON Racing Mercedes-AMG GT3
2019 GT500 Flag of Japan.svg Kazuya Oshima
Flag of Japan.svg Kenta Yamashita
Lexus LC 500 GT500 Lexus Team KeePer TOM'S Lexus LC 500 GT500
GT300 Flag of Japan.svg Shinichi Takagi
Flag of Japan.svg Nirei Fukuzumi
Honda NSX GT3 Evo ARTA Honda NSX GT3 Evo
2020 GT500 Flag of Japan.svg Tadasuke Makino
Flag of Japan.svg Naoki Yamamoto
Honda NSX Team Kunimitsu Honda NSX
GT300 Flag of Japan.svg Kiyoto Fujinami
Flag of Brazil.svg João Paulo de Oliveira
Nissan GT-R NISMO GT3 Kondo Racing Nissan GT-R NISMO GT3
2021 GT500 Flag of Japan.svg Yuhi Sekiguchi
Flag of Japan.svg Sho Tsuboi
Toyota GR Supra GT500 TGR Team au TOM'S Toyota GR Supra GT500
GT300 Flag of Japan.svg Takuto Iguchi
Flag of Japan.svg Hideki Yamauchi
Subaru BRZ GT300 R&D Sport Subaru BRZ GT300 (ZD8)
2022 GT500 Flag of Japan.svg Kazuki Hiramine
Flag of Belgium (civil).svg Bertrand Baguette
Nissan Z GT500 Team Impul Nissan Z GT500
GT300 Flag of Japan.svg Kiyoto Fujinami
Flag of Brazil.svg João Paulo de Oliveira
Nissan GT-R Nismo GT3 Kondo Racing Nissan GT-R Nismo GT3
2023 GT500 Flag of Japan.svg Sho Tsuboi
Flag of Japan.svg Ritomo Miyata
Toyota GR Supra GT500 TGR Team au TOM'S Toyota GR Supra GT500
GT300 Flag of Japan.svg Hiroki Yoshida
Flag of Japan.svg Kohta Kawaai
Toyota GR Supra GT300 Saitama Toyopet GreenBrave Toyota GR Supra GT300
2024 GT500 Flag of Japan.svg Sho Tsuboi
Flag of Japan.svg Kenta Yamashita
Toyota GR Supra GT500 TGR Team au TOM'S Toyota GR Supra GT500
GT300 Flag of Japan.svg Takashi Kogure
Flag of Japan.svg Yuya Motojima
Lamborghini Huracán GT3 Evo 2 JLOC Lamborghini Huracán GT3 Evo 2

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