SRO to Balance GT3, GT300, ST-X Cars for Suzuka 10H Overall Win

Photo: SRO

The SRO Motorsports Group announced on Friday the format for next year’s inaugural Suzuka 10 Hours, which will see three different categories of cars battle for the outright victory on equal terms.

The race was announced last month as the replacement for the Sepang 12 Hours in the 2018 Intercontinental GT Challenge and more details on its format have now been confirmed.

FIA GT3 entries will be joined by Super GT GT300 and Super Taikyu ST-X cars, with the SRO’s Balance of Performance aiming to equalize cars from all three disciplines.

There will also be separate categories for Pro, Pro-Am and Am driver combinations, with all three having separate podiums.

Manufacturers will score points towards the IGTC along with the series’ other races at Bathurst, Spa and Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca.

“We are now just one year away from the Suzuka 10 Hours Endurance Race,” said SRO founder and CEO Stephane Ratel.

“It’s a very exciting time for SRO Motorsports Group and Mobilityland Corporation, as well as our GTA and SMSC partners, who have already begun working closely to ensure that the first joint GT3/GT300/ST-X race is a great success.

“Cars and drivers traveling from all over the world to race against Super GT teams for the first time, and at a circuit as respected as Suzuka, makes for a mouthwatering prospect. It will be a truly special occasion.

“Suzuka Circuit is revered across Europe, America and Asia, not only for its historic value but also its wonderful organization. It is therefore the perfect setting to stage such a special GT race.

“I am already looking forward to opening this fantastic event here in 12 months’ time.”

Honda, Nissan and Toyota have all already pledged factory support to teams, with Lamborghini the first European brand to follow suit. Pirelli, meanwhile, has won the tire contract for the race.

A total of 100 million Yen ($912,000) will be awarded as prize money, which is expected to act as an incentive to teams not running in the IGTC, with neither Super GT or Super Taikyu awarding points for the race.

The champions in this season’s Blancpain GT Series, British GT Championship, ADAC GT Masters, Pirelli World Challenge, IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship GT Daytona class and Australian GT Championship will all receive financial support for airfreighting their cars and equipment to Japan.

The event will take place over the weekend of Aug. 23-26, with the race running from 10:30 a.m. to 8:30 p.m.

Jake Kilshaw

Jake Kilshaw is a UK-based journalist. He is a graduate of Politics and International Relations.