Nissan customer outfit Helm Motorsports has announced it will enter SUPER GT’s GT300 class in 2024.
The team owned by racing brothers Yuya and Reiji Hiraki is stepping up from Super Taikyu after two seasons of campaigning the Nissan GT-R NISMO GT3 in the top ST-X class for GT3 machinery.
Alongside gentleman racer Yutaka Toriba, the Hiraki brothers claimed the ST-X title in the first season in the top division last year, as well as winning the flagship Fuji 24 Hours.
The Ibaraki Prefecture-based team notably added ex-Nissan LMP1 and SUPER GT driver Jann Mardenborough for this year’s Fuji 24 Hours, although the No. 1 car was only able to finish fourth in class.
A brief statement issued by Helm said: “Thanks to the support of many people, the team has been able to achieve the objective of participation in SUPER GT, which it has had since its formation.
“The entire team will work together to fight for victories and the championship.”
The statement added that the team will continue to participate in the Japanese Formula 4 series, which runs on the SUPER GT support bill.
No information was forthcoming about what car Helm will use, although it must be considered likely that it will continue to campaign the Nissan GT-R. The driver line-up and tire manufacturer also remain unannounced.
Both Hiraki brothers have experience in SUPER GT’s GT300 class with Team Mach. Elder brother Yuya spent four seasons with the team in 2018-21, while Reiji partnered Yuya in 2021 before teaming up with Yusuke Tomibayashi in 2022.
Helm’s release hinted that it may consider promoting talent from Japanese F4 for its first SUPER GT season.