No.36 OPEN INTERFACE TOM'S SC430 This historical event will be hosting the SUPER GT field for the first time, and its 1,000 kilometer distance makes it a real endurance event. Since 1999, JGTC-class vehicles have been eligible, with some HONDA NSX and Toyota Supra cars competing and winning. However, participation of current GT500-class cars has been limited to four or five entries. GT300-class machines have seen up to ten cars compete. This year will be different however as 40 machines take to the track in a raw display of power in the fight for glory.


No.23 XANAVI NISMO Z Many of the participating teams in this Round 6 'International Pokka 1000km' event have appointed third drivers because of the long distance involved. These draftees will no doubt be anxious to do well. Alongside regular drivers Satoshi Motoyama and Tsugio Matsuda in the No. 23 Xanavi NISMO Z, last year's pilot of the No. 12 CALSONIC IMPUL Z, and now with F1 experience, Yuji Ide joins the squad. Among other teams taking on third drivers, the No. 1 ZENT Cerumo SC of Yuji Tachikawa and Toranosuke Takagi is joined by last season's DENSO SARD SUPRA driver Ronnie Quintarelli.


No.18 TAKATA DOME NSX In the No. 8 ARTA NSX (Daisuke Ito/Ralph Firman), a man with experience in both Z cars and NSX machines, Toshihiro Kaneishi teams up with the regular driver pairing. A lot of the teams have chosen drivers with experience in SUPER GT and he is no exception.
The No. 6 Mobil 1 SC (Akira Iida/Tatsuya Kataoka) sees this season's Formula Nippon debutant Bjorn Wirdheim join up, while in the No. 66 triple a SARD SUPRA GT of Andre Couto and Katsuyuki Hiranaka, Soheil Ayari comes on board.
Among the formula drivers taking part is Adrian Sutil, joining Juichi Wakisaka and Andre Lotterer in the No. 36 Open Interface TOM'S SC430. Likewise, in the No. 22 car (Michael Krumm/Richard Lyons), Fabio Carbone teams up: this duo of third drivers both active in this year's All-Japan F3 championship.

No.88 AKTIO MURCIE RG-1 And with the distance, this is also the first SUPER GT event to feature the cars running at night. The duration of the race is expected to be about six hours. With the start time of 13:00, the flag is expected to drop around the 19:00 mark. With sunset passing approximately one hour before the race ends, headlights will be necessary. It's a combination of elements that is sure to set up a thrilling final stage of the race, and one that shouldn't be missed.


No.46 Kicchou Houzan DIREZZA Z In addition, the 1,000-km midsummer's event will be a severe test for drivers, many of whom comment: "It's hotter than our Sepang event in Malaysia."
Adding to the hardware of each team are the very important 'cool-suits' that each driver will need for his stints in the extreme heat. Allowing each driver to reach his maximum in terms of performance, as well as having some level of comfort in this long-distance event, these suits will prove invaluable.

Also, this Round 6 battle marks the end of the middle of the season. This race, its 1,000 kilometer distance being greater than other events on the calendar, awards more championship points: 1st place finishers receive 25, with points paying out to 15th place (1 point).
Moreover, teams are allowed to omit their worst result from Rounds 1 to 6, making the championship a points' battle comprised of 8 events. The importance of this 1,000-km event comes clearly into view when this is taken into consideration. The participants are sure to put forth an intense effort as they challenge this as yet unknown 1,000 kilometer race.