Three-Hour Timed Race Format Set for Fuji Debut

SUPER GT is set to move away from the 450km race format of past seasons in favour of three-hour timed events and shorter 350km races for the 2024 season.

GTA chairman Masaaki Bandoh revealed ahead of last year’s season finale at Mobility Resort Motegi that the Japanese championship was evaluating the introduction of timed races in a bid to inject greater variety into the eight-round schedule.

Sportscar365 understands that these plans are proceeding and that three races – Round 2 at Fuji Speedway, Round 3 at Suzuka and Autopolis – will be held over three hours, with the 450km format used for five rounds in 2023 being scrapped.

With 450km races having typically lasted slightly over two-and-a-half hours, the three-hour races are likely to be the longest on the 2024 schedule, although still only requiring two fuel stops to complete.

A new 350km format is set to be used for the series’ second visits to Fuji and Suzuka. These races could theoretically be completed with a single fuel stop, as is the case for the regular 300km races.

As per last year, the season opener at Okayama International Circuit, September’s Sportsland Sugo round and the season finale at Motegi are all set to remain at 300km.

Another idea mooted by Bandoh last year, a 300-mile race (equivalent to just over 480km), appears to have been shelved for the time being, although the new three-hour races are likely to cover a similar amount of distance.

The number of dry tire sets available per car during 300km race weekends has been reduced from five to four for the new season, while the number of sets for longer races will be announced on a race-by-race basis.