All Japan Super Formula Championship (SF) kicked off at Suzuka Circuit (Mie Prefecture) on March 8th, and Masaaki Bandoh, the president and Chief Executive Officer of GTA, was invited to an event along with representatives from other racing categories and he sent his message for the start of Japanese motorsports’ new season to the fans that gathered in Suzuka. SF’s season opener is a two-race event, and the qualifying and race of Round 1 was held on the 8th (Saturday). It was fine weather but chilly day with light cloud extending over sky although there was no cold wind blowing. GTA president & CEO Bandoh appeared on the stage along with Yoshihisa Ueno, the president and CEO of Japan Race Promotion, the operator of SF, and Harumi Kuwayama, the vice chairperson of Super Taikyu MIRAI Organization (STMO), during ‘Motorsport Summit’ that was held at GP Square (event space) at noon. Some enthusiastic fans gathered from before the start since it was a rare scene to have the three leaders of Japan’s three major motorsports categories, SUPER GT, SF, and Super Taikyu (S-Tai), appearing in a talk show.
Leaders of Japan’s three major motorsports categories appeared in Motorrsports Summi (talk show). From left: SUPER GT’s GTA president & CEO Masaaki Bandoh, SF’s JRP president/CEO Yoshihisa Ueno, S-Tai’s STMO vice chairperson Harumi Kuwayama.
Surprisingly, President & CEO Bandoh revealed that it was his first time coming to a Super Formula event although SF’s president/CEO Ueno approached him a few times. “Each of these three categories put a lot of effort and everybody involved are working very hard”, commented Bandoh. He then touched on the 24-hour race of S-Tai. “It’s remarkable 24-hour race is actually held in Japan. It’s unbelievable how the organizer built it up to actually hold as an event. We also want to do a 24-hour race if we can”. Bandoh openly shared his thoughts. SF and S-Tai’s continuous efforts in rolling out various initiatives with a focus on increasing the number of spectators are receiving acknowledgment. “Both myself and Ms. Kuwayama (of S-Tai) followed the path GTA paved” said President/CEO Ueno. Vice chairperson Kuwayama reacted, “That is so true. There are only learnings from SUPER GT, even now”. May be it was a little embarrassing moment for President & CEO Bandoh as he put light smile on his face.
Three leaders explained the unique attraction of their respective categories. President & CEO Bandoh spoke about the qualifying format of SUPER GT that was revised for this season. He explained that the decision was made after considering various aspects including the number of tires set and that it will be a similar qualifying format as the 2023-season instead of deciding the grid based on a total of lap times for this season. Being in a live show, Bandoh sprinkled jokes in his talk, but he also emphasized his focus on putting relentless effort to make the race better and that if the rule needs to be changed, then it will be changed.
Ueno and Kuwayama were nodding their heads as they listened to Bandoh’s comment, “Promoters are working hard to increase the awareness of Japanese motorsports, so please come to circuits to watch the race live”. The talk show concluded by extending the message that support and rooting from the fan are essential for the development of motorsports.
President & CEO Bandoh later participated in the season opening ceremony conducted before the race of SF season opening event. Masao Notsu, the executive director of Japan Automobile Federation (JAF), Masahiko Kondo, the chairman of the board of Japan Race Promotion, Akio Toyoda, the chairperson of the board of Super Taikyu Mirai Organization, and Tetsuo Suzuki, the president of Motorcycle Federation of Japan (MFJ: an organization similar to JAF in motorcycle), were also in presence at the ceremony.
President & CEO Bandoh provided his comment through the microphone after Notsu of JAF, “SUPER GT will have an oversea event in Malaysia at the end of June for the first time since 2013. (The number of) Race is no change (from last year) and 8 races, apology that we will miss (one race of) Suzuka, but our intension is to make SUPER GT larger together with our new partners from Southeast Asia”. Chairman Kondo, Chairperson Toyoda, and President Suzuki each expressed the hope they have for the motorsports beyond the boundary of categories to strive even further.
”Hey everyone, the motorsports of Japan will be ‘on-season’ from today! Let’s all get on full throttle to start out the new season!”. Event MC Hiroshi Tsujino shouted to ‘turn the switch ON’ to the fans on the stand for the opening of SF first race approaching in minutes away. At the end, JRP Chairman Kondo, who heads KONDO RACING that competes in both SUPER GT and SF, provided a closing remark, “For 2025, we, the promote, federation, and athletes, are determined to give all our efforts all together to liven up motorpsorts. You can count on us”. The entire crowd shouted together the opening declaration, “We declare the opening of exciting and thrilling motorsports season!”
