【Round 5 Suzuka: Race day】GTA President & CEO Bandoh reports on support activities for areas affected by the Kumamoto Earthquake, carried out in cooperation with SUPER GT-related organizations.

　Shortly before 11:00 a.m. on August 23, prior to the GTA regular press conference held ahead of the race of AUTOBACS SUPER GT Round 5 “SUZUKA GT 300km RACE,” Masaaki Bandoh, President & CEO of GTA Co., Ltd., reported on support activities for areas affected by the 2026 Kumamoto Earthquake. Joining him on stage were Takashi Kaneko, President and Representative Director of AUTOPOLIS Co., Ltd., and Hiroki Yoshida (No.52 Green Brave GR Supra GT), a native of Kumamoto Prefecture.

　At the beginning of the session, Bandoh explained that the earthquake had struck the Kumamoto region of Kumamoto Prefecture, an area located near AUTOPOLIS Co., Ltd. (Hita City, Oita Prefecture; hereinafter “Autopolis”), which hosts rounds of the SUPER GT Series promoted by GTA. Because the disaster occurred in the vicinity of Autopolis, GTA decided to provide emergency support to the affected areas. He then outlined the details of the support activities carried out with the cooperation of Autopolis, SUPER GT entrants, and other organizations involved in the series (listed below).

　Prior to the on-site support activities, participating entrants and other SUPER GT-related organizations shipped relief supplies in their possession to Autopolis between August 4 and August 11 as emergency assistance for the affected areas. After arriving in the region, Bandoh visited Kumamoto Station and various locations within Kumamoto City. Having confirmed that hotels and other accommodation facilities commonly used during SUPER GT events at Autopolis were operating normally, he emphasized that “there is absolutely no problem with holding races at Autopolis.”

Masaaki Bandoh, President & CEO of GTA

　On August 12, relief supplies collected at Autopolis were transported to Hikawa Town (Yatsushiro District), Misato Town (Shimomashiki District), and Matsubase Town in Uki City in accordance with local requests and reception arrangements. The supplies were loaded onto a large 10-ton truck owned by Atsushi Tanaka, owner-driver of the GT300 Class No.360 RUNUP × SOL GT-R and Representative Director of Tawa Tsusho Co., Ltd., who keeps the vehicle near the affected area. Bandoh reported that he personally participated in the loading work together with Autopolis employees, Tanaka, Yoshida, and Takeshi Tsuchiya, Vice Chairman of the GT Entrants Association, before the supplies were delivered to their destinations.

　According to Bandoh, so much bottled water and other relief goods had been collected that a 10-ton truck became necessary. With the cooperation of Tanaka, who operates a transportation company in Saga Prefecture, Tanaka and company employees departed Saga early that morning, completed the loading operation at Autopolis, and then delivered the supplies to the designated locations. Yoshida also organized deliveries using a Toyota HiAce with support from a GR Garage, with which he is involved through his participation in the TOYOTA GAZOO Racing GR86/BRZ Cup.

　Reflecting on the support activities, Bandoh said, “I believe that the local government officials in the municipalities where the supplies were delivered were already doing everything they could to support those affected by the disaster. This activity was made possible because everyone came together. Once again, I would like to express my condolences to those who lost their lives and my sympathy to all those affected by the earthquake. As for us, the important thing is to act on what we believe we can do. I believe we were able to do that this time, and I am pleased that we were able to help.”

　Kaneko explained that Autopolis was closed on the day the earthquake struck and that very few people were present in the company offices or within the circuit facilities. He reiterated that the circuit itself sustained no damage and reported that preparations for the upcoming recovery support event are proceeding steadily. He also noted that unused service garages within the circuit were utilized for handling relief supplies and that three recipient locations were selected to receive assistance. Kaneko further pointed out that the impact of the earthquake has affected tourism across Kyushu, not only in Kumamoto Prefecture. “We have heard that there have been approximately 170,000 cancellations at inns and hotels throughout Kyushu. While some areas in Kumamoto suffered extensive damage, many other areas were unaffected and continue normal daily life and business operations. If you are planning a trip to Kyushu, I hope you will check local conditions and still come visit. I believe that doing so can also become a form of indirect support for the affected areas.” Kaneko also appealed for wider support for the affected areas.

　Yoshida, a native of Kumamoto Prefecture, expressed his appreciation, “I am truly grateful that not only the competing teams but also the many companies involved in this event cooperated to make these relief deliveries possible. As someone from Kumamoto, it means a great deal to me.” Looking back on the initiative, he added, “The fact that GTA actually took action and took the first step was extremely important.” Speaking about conditions in the affected region, Yoshida noted that the emotional impact on victims appears to be greater than many people realize. He also shared his hopes for Round 7 at Autopolis, which has been designated as a recovery support event. “I think it is important to give people an opportunity to refresh themselves during the recovery support event at Autopolis in October. Watching the National High School Baseball Championship this summer made even someone like me, who does not usually watch baseball, want to support the teams competing. I hope racing can become that kind of opportunity as well.”

From left: Takashi Kaneko, President and Representative Director of AUTOPOLIS, Masaaki Bandoh, President & CEO of GTA and Hiroki Yoshida (a native of Kumamoto prefecture)

◎The SUPER GT-related organizations that cooperated in the initiative and the principal relief supplies provided are listed below.

【SUPER GT-related organizations that provided support】
(Honorifics omitted; listed in Japanese alphabetical order)
　・apr Co., Ltd.（apr）
　・m’s Inc.
　・OKAYAMA International Circuit Co., Ltd.（VELOREX）
　・Okayama Toyopet Co., Ltd.（K-tunes Racing）
　・AUTOPOLIS Co., Ltd.
　・KARZ Co., Ltd.
　・K2 R&D Co.,Ltd.（K2 R&D LEON RACING）
　・Saitama Toyopet Co., Ltd.（SAITAMA Green Brave）
　・SARD Corporation（TGR TEAM SARD）
　・Tawa Tsusho Co., Ltd.（RUNUP GROUP）
　・Tsuchiya Engineering LLC（HOPPY team TSUCHIYA）
　・Tomei Sports Co., Ltd.（TOMEI SPORTS）
　・TOYOTA GAZOO Racing Development Co., Ltd.
　・Toray Carbon Magic Co., Ltd.
　・Nakajima Planning Co., Ltd.（Modulo Nakajima Racing）
　・HELM Co., Ltd.（HELM MOTORSPORTS）
　・United Toyota Kumamoto Co., Ltd.
　・Real Co., Ltd.（Astemo REAL RACING）
　・ROOKIE Racing Co., Ltd.（TGR TEAM ENEOS ROOKIE・TEAM ENEOS ROOKIE）
　・RACING PROJECT BANDOH Co., Ltd.（TGR TEAM WedsSport BANDOH）
　・WORLD COMMERCE CORPORATION

【Main relief supplies】
　・Drinking water and other beverages
　・Clothing, including T-shirts and hats
　・Masks, work gloves, disposable gloves, and blue tarpaulins
　・Disinfectant wipes, wet tissues, and ethanol disinfectants
　・Towels, body wipes, and dry shampoo
　・Food items including packaged rice, retort curry, cup noodles, and canned food, together with chopsticks, forks, and spoons, etc.

　Beginning with Round 4 at Fuji Speedway, GTA, together with Fuji Speedway, has been conducting the “Kumamoto Recovery Support Fund” initiative led by the Automobile Business & Culture Association of Japan. Fundraising activities will continue to be conducted at the circuits hosting upcoming SUPER GT events, including this weekend’s Suzuka round. Donations collected will be contributed to Kumamoto Prefecture through Autopolis. Furthermore, Round 7 at Autopolis on October 17-18 has been designated as a “Kumamoto Earthquake Recovery Support Event.” GTA and Autopolis continue to discuss and evaluate additional support activities that can be carried out during the event, with further details to be announced once finalized.

◎ Delivery of relief supplies by companies associated with GTA and SUPER GT