Suzuka Round Moved to Avoid 24H Spa Clash

Fanatec GT World Challenge Asia powered by AWS has moved next season’s round at Suzuka to avoid a date clash with the rescheduled CrowdStrike 24 Hours of Spa.

The SRO Motorsports Group series has pushed back its visit to the Japanese Grand Prix venue by two weeks, with the event now due to take place on July 15-16.

SRO’s headline GT3 race, the 24 Hours of Spa, was moved to the original Suzuka weekend of July 1-3 in response to Formula 1 putting the Belgian GP on the same date.

Initially, SRO founder and CEO Stephane Ratel indicated that the Suzuka date was set in stone and unlikely to change, but GTWC Asia and circuit owner Mobilityland have found some room for adjustment.

Suzuka now falls one week before the event at Motegi, which is another Mobilityland facility.

SRO usually attempts to create a non-clashing calendar between its four regional GTWC series in Asia, Europe, America and Australia, with Spa being a high priority as the organization’s biggest race of the year attended by staff from different championships.

“We are pleased to have finalized Sepang’s date and, moreover, to have also avoided a clash with Spa,” said GTWC Asia general manager Benjamin Franassovici.

“SRO was able to re-jig many of its calendars to account for that unexpected change in September but the logistics in Asia and availability of our circuits made things trickier for us.

“Mobilityland has been very supportive in that regard, while the concept of running back-to-back events was proven at Suzuka and Fuji earlier this year.

“More widely, the overall championship and Fanatec Japan Cup both already look promising for 2023. Laying the groundwork this season, when post-pandemic conditions were not 100 percent conducive for organizing a regional series in Asia, has stood us in good stead.

“And I am also hopeful that we might even see the return of some Chinese teams and drivers, despite of the logistical challenges.”

In addition to the Suzuka date change, GTWC Asia has confirmed that its Sepang season finale will take place on Sep. 23-24.

The rest of the Asian calendar is unchanged, with the season due to start at Buriram in Thailand on May 13-14.

2023 GTWC Asia Schedule

May 13-14 – Buriram
June 17-18 – Fuji
July 15-16 – Suzuka
July 22-23 – Motegi
Aug. 19-20 – Okayama
Sep. 23-24 – Sepang