July 31, 2026
Don't Miss GT300 Either!
Will the New Engine SUBARU BRZ Make a Breakthrough?
Introducing the Noteworthy Machine Expected to Perform Well at Suzuka
The GT300 class, where GT machines from around the world gather, has become a fiercely competitive field this season with a more diverse mix of machines and drivers than ever before, and the battle is expected to intensify even further at Suzuka. Among them, we will organize the trends of particularly noteworthy machines, teams, and drivers, and try to predict which forces will emerge at Suzuka.
Among the GT300 machines this season, the most attention-grabbing is likely the No. 61 SUBARU BRZ R&D SPORT. The long-used EJ20, a 2.0-liter flat-four engine, was retired last year, and this year it has been replaced with an EG33-based 3.0L flat-six twin-turbo. The change in specs is significant, and it was expected that the machine’s characteristics would also change, but the team reports that the good performance from last year has been maintained. Based on the speed it has shown at Suzuka since the EJ20 era, there are signs that it will demonstrate even more powerful strength.
SUBARU BRZ R&D SPORT (SUBARU BRZ GT300)
Last year, although they secured pole position in qualifying, there were issues with race strength such as long refueling times; however, improvements in combustion efficiency and fuel economy due to the twin-turbo setup may have resolved these weaknesses at this year’s Suzuka.
On the other hand, in the early part of the season, they seem to be exploring the direction for tire selection, and choosing according to the engine characteristics and changes in weight balance will likely be key. Even so, the experienced duo of Takuto Iguchi and Hideki Yamauchi are progressing with the setup, and the first Suzuka race with the new engine will be an opportunity to demonstrate the team's potential.
There are still more machines to watch at Suzuka. First is the No. 9 PACIFIC Uma Musume NAC BMW M4 GT3 EVO. The previous model M4 GT3 secured a victory at Suzuka with BMW M Team Studie, and in 2025, the EVO model also won the Suzuka 1000km with Team WRT, showing a strong compatibility between BMW and Suzuka. Although PACIFIC has yet to claim its first win in GT300, if the performance of the M4 GT3 EVO and the team’s momentum align, a top finish is expected.
PACIFIC Uma Musume NAC BMW (BME M4 GT3 EVO)
Also making a fresh impression in this season's GT300 is the No. 32 ENEOS X PRIME AMG GT3. It is noteworthy that ROOKIE Racing, which has built a strong track record in GT500 and Super Formula, is making a full-scale entry into GT300. Veteran driver Hiroaki Ishiura, who has GT500 wins under his belt, joins the team, paired with promising young talent Tokiya Suzuki, the FIA-F4 Championship winner, forming a highly potential senior-junior duo. Using the Mercedes AMG GT3, a classic machine considered the benchmark for GT3 cars, it will be particularly eye-catching to see how much speed they can demonstrate at the demanding Suzuka Circuit.
ENEOS X PRIME AMG GT3 (Mercedes AMG GT3)
Furthermore, the top contenders from last year's Suzuka race remain strong. The No. 60 Syntium LMcorsa LC500 GT, which fought for the win, boasts high stability in high-speed corners, and with Dunlop tires performing well this year, it has ample capability to contend at the top in Suzuka. The No. 7 CARGUY Ferrari 296 GT3 EVO, last year's winner, has been upgraded to an EVO model, and the driver lineup has been refreshed with returning Zachary O'Sullivan and young talent Kiyoshi Umegaki, the Formula Regional Japanese Championship winner. If the Yokohama tires, known for their strength in summer conditions, suit the track, this car could once again be a strong contender for the top positions.
Syntium LMcorsa LC500 GT (LEXUS LC500)
CARGUY Ferrari 296 GT3 EVO (FERRARI 296 GT3 EVO)
The No. 6 UNI-ROBO BLUEGRASS FERRARI, which also features the Yokohama × Ferrari package like the No. 7 car, is another must-watch. The driver lineup includes Yoshiaki Katayama and Niklas Krutten, who is returning to GT300. Krutten is a promising young driver who earned a podium finish in his 2024 series debut race, making this package one that can also aim for top positions.
UNI-ROBO BLUEGRASS FERRARI (FERRARI 296 GT3)
Also, we must not forget the No. 88 VENTENY Lamborghini GT3. It features a strong lineup with Takashi Kogure, a champion in both the GT500 and GT300 classes, and former F1 driver Daniil Kvyat. The No. 88 car has a good record at the 2024 SUZUKA CIRCUIT race with a victory, so attention is on how fast Kvyat, making his season debut and with prior F1 experience at Suzuka, will be able to perform.
VENTENY Lamborghini GT3 (LAMBORGHINI HURACAN GT3 EVO2)
On the other hand, looking at the Bridgestone tire teams, the No. 2 HYPER WATER INGING GR86 GT, No. 31 apr LC500h GT, and No. 65 LEON PYRAMID AMG have all reached the podium since the early part of the season, and with the large amount of success ballast they are carrying, the Suzuka race is expected to be a tough battle. Meanwhile, the No. 52 Green Brave GR Supra GT showed speed at Round 2 in Fuji but missed out on a top finish due to strategic circumstances, making Suzuka a race where they are fired up for revenge.
Green Brave GR Supra GT (TOYOTA GR Supra)
Looking at the landscape, the big highlight at Suzuka is undoubtedly the SUBARU BRZ. Although the new engine package still feels like it has room to mature, there is no sign of a major mismatch with Suzuka, and in fact, there are many positive factors based on past performance. Meanwhile, the GT300 class, which continues to showcase a wide variety of machines this season, holds the potential for any team to perform well at Suzuka. As a result, outcomes are likely to be influenced by various factors such as tires, setup, and driver readiness. This summer’s Suzuka race will surely be an unmissable event.
