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August 14, 2026

Suzuka 1000km Endurance Race Past Winners 1966-2025 PART.2

In 1977, under the guidance of FISA (now FIA), the course was renovated to become an internationally certified circuit. Endurance races were also held in 1978 with the Suzuka 500km and 500 miles (800km), preparing for the revival of the Suzuka 1000km.

Renovation to an International-Standard Course, Revival of the 1000km, and the Arrival of the Group C Era

9th Edition: 1000km Returns After 7 Years August 31, 1980

At that time, the main players in endurance racing were two-seater sports cars. Later, during the Group C era, some were modified into C2 machines known as "Guppy."
At that time, the main players in endurance racing were two-seater sports cars. Later, during the Group C era, some were modified into C2 machines known as "Guppy."
The race, which had been held as a 500-mile (800km) event until the previous year, was extended by 200km and revived as the Suzuka 1000km race. The team of Tatsumi/Nagasaka, who started from pole position, won the final. The Celica Turbo, which had competed at Le Mans, and the Group 5 RX-7 also participated.
Rank Class Driver (Machine)
1st place R-1 Hironobu Tatsumi / Naoki Nagasaka (March 75S)
2nd place R-2 Fumiyasu Sato / Taku Akaike (March 73S)
3rd place TSⅠ-1 Hikaru Hagiwara / Sakae Obata (Nissan Sunny)
4th TSⅠ-2 Fukumi Taketake / Kunio Nagamatsu (Honda Civic)
5th TSⅠ-3 Isao Sasano / Hiromi Nishino (Nissan Sunny)
6th TSⅡ-1 Fumio Inagaki / Masaaki Imai (Savanna RX-3)
13th TSⅤ-1 Kazuyoshi Sakamoto / Kenji Itani (Mazda RX-7)
PP: Naoki Nagasaka (March 76S) 2 minutes 10.2 seconds
Winning car record / 6 hours 24 minutes 21.876 seconds 004 km × 148 laps 888.592 km
* Due to regulations, the checker was shown at 6 hours and 30 minutes.
41 starters, 21 finishers
Starting from the very back, the Celica overtook nearly 20 cars at the start but retired due to engine trouble.

Starting from the very back, the Celica overtook nearly 20 cars at the start but retired due to engine trouble.

Despite having a 1.3L engine, the Advance Sunny completed 136 laps, finishing 3rd overall and winning the TS1 class.

Despite having a 1.3L engine, the Advance Sunny completed 136 laps, finishing 3rd overall and winning the TS1 class.

RX-7s, independently modified by privateers, entered endurance races one after another and finished 13th overall.

RX-7s, independently modified by privateers, entered endurance races one after another and finished 13th overall.

Held as the 10th International Event, Top Teams from Around the World Participated October 1, 1981

The 935K3 built by Kremer Racing. Demonstrating its Le Mans-winning performance here at Suzuka as well, it achieved pole-to-win.
The 935K3 built by Kremer Racing. Demonstrating its Le Mans-winning performance here at Suzuka as well, it achieved pole-to-win.
The 10th Suzuka 1000km was held as an international-class race. Prominent teams from overseas participated, and domestic competitors such as the Mazda 253, which competed in the 24 Hours of Le Mans, and the Group 5 TOM'S G5 Corolla also participated, showing their speed.
Rank Class Driver (Machine)
1st place B-1 B. Wollek / H. Pescarolo (Porsche 935K3)
2nd place B-2 T. Trimmer / N. Nichol (Mazda 253)
3rd place B-3 Yoshimi Katayama / K. Rued (Mazda RX-7)
4th A-1 Takao Wada / Hikaru Hagiwara (Nissan Sunny)
5th B-4 J. Sweeney / H. Greiner (Porsche RSR)
PP: B. Wollack (Porsche 935K3) 2 minutes 8.68 seconds
Winning car record / 6 hours 51 minutes 20.566 seconds 415.00415 km × 167 laps 1002.693 km
32 starters, 16 finishers
Two Mazda 235i cars participated in Le Mans, with #17 achieving a 2nd place podium finish.

Two Mazda 235i cars participated in Le Mans, with #17 achieving a 2nd place podium finish.

The Mazda RX-7 in the U.S. IMSA GTU specification included works driver Yoshimi Katayama, finishing in 3rd place.

The Mazda RX-7 in the U.S. IMSA GTU specification included works driver Yoshimi Katayama, finishing in 3rd place.

TOM'S built and entered two original Group 5 TOM'S Corollas.

TOM'S built and entered two original Group 5 TOM'S Corollas.

An Important Match as the 11th WEC Prelude August 29, 1982

That year, the Autobacs Racing Team BMW M1 won three times at the Fuji Long Distance Series and claimed the title.
That year, the Autobacs Racing Team BMW M1 won three times at the Fuji Long Distance Series and claimed the title.
The Suzuka 1000km, highlighted as a prelude to the WEC Fuji, attracted attention with the entry of the domestic Group C TOM'S Dome Celica C. However, it retired early in the race. While two-seater sports cars were left behind, the reliable BMW M1 took pole position and overall victory.
Rank Class Driver (Machine)
1st place B-1 Fumiyasu Sato / Naoki Nagasaka (BMW M1)
2nd place B-2 Kazuyoshi Sakamoto / Kenji Itani (Mazda RX-7)
3rd place A-1 Katsuaki Sato / Ken Mizokawa (Honda Civic RS)
4th B-3 P. Chau / Haruto Yanagida (Nissan Silvia)
5th A-2 Tetsu Fujita / Shuji Fujii (Toyota Starlet KP61)
PP: Naoki Nagasaka (BMW M1) 2:08.04
Winning car record / 6 hours 42 minutes 41.926 seconds 926.00415 km × 167 laps 1002.693 km
38 starters, 18 finishers
* The Sato Fumiyasu / Nagasaka Naoki team had one lap deducted for ignoring the yellow flag.
It was Japan's first domestic Group C car, the "TOM'S Dome Celica IC," but it retired at the hairpin after the start.

It was Japan's first domestic Group C car, the "TOM'S Dome Celica IC," but it retired at the hairpin after the start.

Porsche 924 competed on the rare BF Goodrich tires and finished 6th overall.

Porsche 924 competed on the rare BF Goodrich tires and finished 6th overall.

The Isuzu Piazza G5 from Orient Speed, which appeared in the Suzuka endurance race, finished 11th overall.

The Isuzu Piazza G5 from Orient Speed, which appeared in the Suzuka endurance race, finished 11th overall.

12th Porsche 956 Dominates at SUZUKA 1000Km August 28, 1983

The Trust Porsche 956, perfected as a Group C race car. It won the final race with a lead of three laps over the second place.
The Trust Porsche 956, perfected as a Group C race car. It won the final race with a lead of three laps over the second place.
The WEC champion Porsche 956 arrived in Japan. While Toyota, Nissan, and Dome developed and entered Group C machines, the Trust Porsche 956, starting from 4th in qualifying, won the race. The All Japan Endurance Championship began, consisting of three rounds: Suzuka 500km, Suzuka 1000km, and WEC in Japan, with Trust Porsche taking the crown.
Rank Class Driver (Machine)
1st place C-1 Naohiro Fujita / V. Schuppan (Porsche 956)
2nd place C-2 Keiji Matsumoto / Kaoru Hoshino / Masanori Sekiya (Toyota TOM'S 83C)
3rd place C-3 Chiyozou Toya / Taku Akaike (Renoma 83C)
4th C-4 T. Nieder / E. Elgh (Dome RC83)
5th B-1 Yoshimi Katayama / Toshihisa Asai (Mazda RX-7)
6th A-1 Tsugio Oba / Katsuaki Sato (Honda Civic)
PP: Kazuyoshi Hoshino (March 83G) 2 minutes 7.33 seconds
Winning car record / 6 hours 42 minutes 41.926 seconds 926.033 km × 166 laps 1001.5361 km
30 starters, 18 finishers
A rolling start was introduced, replacing the irregular Le Mans-style start since the beginning of the Suzuka 1000km.

A rolling start was introduced, replacing the irregular Le Mans-style start since the beginning of the Suzuka 1000km.

Toyota and Nissan developed domestic Group C cars and chased Porsche.

Toyota and Nissan developed domestic Group C cars and chased Porsche.

Nissan introduced the Group C "Skyline Turbo C Tomica," featuring the silhouette of the Skyline.

Nissan introduced the Group C "Skyline Turbo C Tomica," featuring the silhouette of the Skyline.

13th Veteran Kunimitsu Takahashi Wins at Suzuka for the First Time in 11 Years August 26, 1984

The average speed of the 240Z when Kunimitsu Takahashi won 11 years earlier was 140 km/h, which significantly increased to 154.701 km/h with the Porsche 956.
The average speed of the 240Z when Kunimitsu Takahashi won 11 years earlier was 140 km/h, which significantly increased to 154.701 km/h with the Porsche 956.
With the growing popularity of endurance racing, the number of Porsches increased, and Toyota and Nissan also developed new Group C cars and participated. In the final, while the domestic Group C car teams faltered, the Porsche 956 equipped with Advan tires won. Kunimitsu Takahashi claimed victory in the 1000km race from pole position for the first time since 1973.
Rank Class Driver (Machine)
1st place B-1 Kunimitsu Takahashi / Kenji Takahashi / G. Rees (Porsche 956)
2nd place B-2 V. Schuppan / Yoshimi Katayama (Porsche 956)
3rd place B-3 Naoki Nagasaka / Keiichi Suzuki (Lotech M1C)
4th B-4 Toru Shio / Taku Akaike (Mazda 83C)
5th B-5 Koji Shigeno / Hideki Okada (Mazda 727C)
8th A-1 Makio Nonaka / Masuo Takada (First Molding Collage 45)
PP: Kunimitsu Takahashi (Porsche 956) 2 minutes 01.11 seconds
Winning car record / 6 hours 29 minutes 32.915 seconds 915.943 km × 169 laps 1004.367 km
42 starters, 24 finishers
Nissan introduced the new LM03C. The coloring of the "Skyline Turbo C Tomica" is inspired by the Nissan R383.

Nissan introduced the new LM03C. The coloring of the "Skyline Turbo C Tomica" is inspired by the Nissan R383.

In the A class at Suzuka, the mini sports car "RS" participated, later replaced by TS cars such as the Sunny and Civic.

In the A class at Suzuka, the mini sports car "RS" participated, later replaced by TS cars such as the Sunny and Civic.

A Honda Prelude also participated in the A class, finishing 16th in the class.

A Honda Prelude also participated in the A class, finishing 16th in the class.

14th Advan, Consecutive 1000km Wins with New Porsche August 25, 1985

Advan quickly introduced the Porsche 962C and achieved consecutive 1000km wins. Additionally, three Porsche 956s participated and finished the race.
Advan quickly introduced the Porsche 962C and achieved consecutive 1000km wins. Additionally, three Porsche 956s participated and finished the race.
As domestic teams Toyota and Nissan improved their performance, Nissan and Toyota lined up on the front row in qualifying. However, the Advan team with the Porsche 962C, driven by Kunimitsu and Kenji, achieved consecutive victories. Fifteen prototype machines entered the D+C class.
Rank Class Driver (Machine)
1st place D-1 Kunimitsu Takahashi / Kenji Takahashi (Porsche 962C)
2nd place D-2 Satoru Nakajima / Masanori Sekiya / Kaoru Hoshino (Toyota 85C)
3rd place D-3 Naoki Nagasaka / Taku Akaike (Toyota 85C)
4th D-4 V. Schuppan / Keiichi Suzuki (Porsche 956)
5th D-5 Jiro Yoneyama / Hideki Okada (Porsche 956)
10th place C-1 Yojiro Terada / D. Kennedy (Mazda 737C)
12th place B-1 Shuroku Sasaki / Hisatoyo Goto (Oscar SK85)
PP: Kazuyoshi Hoshino (March 85G) 1 minute 58.602 seconds
Winning car record / 6 hours 22 minutes 57.515 seconds 155.914 km × 170 laps 1005.38 km
42 starters, 24 finishers
The qualifying grid was dominated by Nissan and Toyota, gradually beginning to break Porsche's stronghold.

The qualifying grid was dominated by Nissan and Toyota, gradually beginning to break Porsche's stronghold.

The Terada/Kennedy Mazda entered the race after their challenge at the 24 Hours of Le Mans.

The Terada/Kennedy Mazda entered the race after their challenge at the 24 Hours of Le Mans.

The B-Class victory went to the Sasaki/Goto team’s Oscar SK85.

The B-Class victory went to the Sasaki/Goto team’s Oscar SK85.

15th Yoneyama, First 1000km Victory in 17 Years with Porsche! August 24, 1986

The average speed of the 240Z when Kunimitsu Takahashi won 11 years earlier was 140 km/h, which significantly increased to 154.701 km/h with the Porsche 956.
The average speed of the 240Z when Kunimitsu Takahashi won 11 years earlier was 140 km/h, which significantly increased to 154.701 km/h with the Porsche 956.
Nissan monopolized the top two positions in qualifying. In the race, the Iseki Porsche was the first to receive the checkered flag but was disqualified after a re-inspection. Therefore, From A, who finished second, was declared the winner. Jiro Yoneyama's victory was his first since winning the 1969 SUZUKA 1000Km in a Porsche 906.
Rank Class Driver (Machine)
1st place C-1 Jiro Yoneyama / Hideki Okada / Toshihisa Asai (Porsche 956)
2nd place C-2 Genji Kurosawa / Hitoshi Ogawa / Kaoru Hoshino (Toyota 86C)
3rd place C-3 Taketake Takahara / Chiyozou Toya / Kenji Miyako (Porsche 956)
4th C-4 K. Atkinson / M. Lowe (Toyota 85C)
5th C-5 Koji Shigeno / D. Kennedy (Mazda 757)
8th A-1 Keiichi Mizutani / Yuzo Kamata / Yoshiyuki Ogura (Oscar SK85)
PP: Kazuyoshi Hoshino (March 86S) 1:56.486
Winning Car Record / 6 hours 20 minutes 26.745 seconds 455.9136 km × 170 laps 1005.312 km
37 starters, 18 finishers
#23 secured the pole position, but retired after 9 laps in the final due to clutch trouble. Nichira later became Calsonic.

#23 secured the pole position, but retired after 9 laps in the final due to clutch trouble. Nichira later became Calsonic.

Iseki was the first to receive the checkered flag, but was disqualified due to a fuel tank capacity violation.

Iseki was the first to receive the checkered flag, but was disqualified due to a fuel tank capacity violation.

Sigma, active in the 1970s, made a comeback under the name Third MC86X. It was an ambitious machine that made extensive use of carbon.

Sigma, active in the 1970s, made a comeback under the name Third MC86X. It was an ambitious machine that made extensive use of carbon.

50th Anniversary Special Content
To PART.3

※The content may change without notice.
※The photographs and illustrations used are for illustrative purposes only.