Team UpGarage Announces Mercedes-AMG GT3 Evo Switch

Team UpGarage has revealed that it will campaign a Mercedes-AMG GT3 Evo in SUPER GT this season, as it makes the switch from Honda machinery.

Ahead of last year’s final race at Suzuka, the Servus Japan-run team confirmed that it would no longer be running the Honda NSX GT3 Evo22, in line with the Japanese manufacturer’s decision to end factory support for the platform.

As predicted by Sportscar365, the team confirmed on Friday at the Tokyo Auto Salon that it will run a Mercedes-AMG GT3 Evo this year, also revealing its driver lineup.

Takashi Kobayashi stays aboard the No. 18 car, having been part of the UpGarage fold since 2018, joined by Honda junior and Japanese F4 champion Yuto Nomura.

Nomura replaces Shun Koide, who has stepped up to join Honda GT500 squad Real Racing in place of IMSA-bound Kakunoshin Ohta.

Team director Makoto Ishida said: “As it was difficult to continue using the NSX, we were searching for a replacement considering performance and past results.

“We believe this is a car that can get us closer to winning the championship.”

Kobayashi added: “When the NSX was in the sweet spot, it was very fast, but there were also times it was very slow. In that sense, it was a difficult car. My impression of the Mercedes is that it is a much more consistent and stable car.”

UpGarage becomes the second confirmed team to be using Mercedes-AMG machinery in SUPER GT this year after Goodsmile Racing, with LEON Racing, Pacific Racing and R’Qs Motor Sports also having all run the GT3 Evo last season.

UpGarage to Support Toda Racing Ferrari Japan Cup Effort

It was also announced that UpGarage will be involved in the SRO Japan Cup this year via a tie-up with Toda Racing, which will run a Ferrari 296 GT3.

Toda, best known for its exploits on the Japanese single-seater scene, will field a 296 GT3 in the four-round series for Kobayashi and gentleman driver ‘Akita’, who won the title in the Am class in last year’s Ferrari Challenge Japan series.

The team’s Ferrari will feature a similar livery to that of the UpGarage SUPER GT effort.