SRO, GTA Join Forces for 10-Hour Suzuka GT3/GT300 Enduro

Photo: SRO Motorsports Group

The SRO Motorsports Group and Super GT series organizer GT Association will join together to hold the first joint GT3/GT300 race at Suzuka Circuit in 2018.

The event, organized by Mobilityland, will be a ten-hour endurance race held on Aug. 23-26, 2018, replacing the existing Suzuka 1000km round of the Super GT series which will run for the final time this year.

The Suzuka race will be the first time SRO GT3 and Super GT GT300 machinery have competed together, although SRO already oversees the Japanese class’ Balance of Performance.

“I am very excited to be here at Suzuka Circuit today to officially unveil the 47th Summer Endurance Suzuka 10 Hours,” commented Stephane Ratel, SRO founder and CEO.

“SRO fully supports this new project undertaken by Mobilityland. We are at a legendary circuit that is highly valued both in Europe and Asia. It is therefore a most appropriate platform to host a global GT race and write another chapter in the Suzuka Circuit’s long and valuable history.

“SRO will fully embrace the event by supporting champions from our numerous affiliated global categories and those teams currently competing in the European and Asian Blancpain GT Series to ensure that it flourishes and becomes a success.”

A schedule remains unconfirmed but the race is expected to run from 10:30 a.m. local time to 8:30 p.m.. A total prize fund of 100 million yen ($877,000 USD) has also been announced.

“Following the GT Association’s vision concept, this new project will constitute one more link and step into the globalization of the Super GT Series,” added Masaaki Bandoh, GT Association President.

“We are and will continue working close together in the effort of establishing this race in the calendar as one of the rounds that will unify the GT300 [class] in South East Asia.

“Concerning the new race format for the Suzuka round of the Super GT Series in 2018 and onwards we are determined to, together with Mobilityland, bring to the circuit and to the enthusiasts much new excitement and emotion.

“We are determined to provide the ultimate environment that continues to invite and satisfy the vast public and motorsports fans.”

It’s believed the new event is aimed to eventually replace the Sepang 12 Hours on the Intercontinental GT Challenge schedule, although Ratel has yet to comment on the matter.

Jake Kilshaw

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