On the morning of Sunday, September 20, GTA held its regular press conference at Sportsland SUGO in Miyagi Prefecture, where AUTOBACS SUPER GT Round 6 “SUGO GT 300km RACE” was being held.
At the start of the session, Masaaki Bandoh, President & CEO of GTA Co., Ltd., commented on the unstable weather conditions. “The weather is like this, but it appears the typhoon is arriving a little later than expected, so I think we’ll manage somehow. A race in the rain is still a race.” Speaking before the large crowd gathered at the circuit, Bandoh expressed his hope that the competitors would battle all the way to the finish regardless of the conditions.
The press conference first turned to the Intercontinental GT Challenge Round 4 “50th Suzuka 1000km,” which had been held one week earlier at Suzuka Circuit in Mie Prefecture. Bandoh revealed that he had paid a courtesy visit to the event and held discussions regarding the planned 2027 Suzuka 1000km with Stéphane Ratel, CEO of the SRO, which organizes the IGTC.
“We have decided that the GT300 class will compete in a nine-round championship next season, including the Suzuka 1000km. At Suzuka, discussions were held from both the racing operations and promotional perspectives. Since SRO has a contract with Suzuka Circuit through 2027, our involvement will take the form of a partnership with SRO.”
Bandoh went on to explain that while SRO currently applies sporting regulations in the IGTC such as the 78-second minimum pit stop time and VBOX telemetry systems, the current direction is for GT300 cars competing next year to race principally under SUPER GT regulations. “When you consider races being held around the world, I think that’s the direction we will take. However, the financial burden on the teams would increase considerably, so we want to maintain the concept of a collaboration with SUPER GT.” He further explained that the number of entries would be limited by pit capacity at Suzuka. “Because of the number of pits available at Suzuka, the maximum field size will be 50 cars. We are considering splitting that into groups of 25 and 25. As a result, one group of 25 cars (the IGTC entrants) would operate without anyone on the signaling wall, while the other 25 cars (the GT300 entries) would run as they normally do.” While numerous details regarding both the sporting and technical regulations remain to be resolved, Bandoh stressed that discussions with SRO will continue. He also emphasized that the focus is not simply on having FIA GT3 machinery and GT300 cars race together. “Including the promotional side, we need to think about what kind of race we can present to the fans. This isn’t simply a matter of racing GT3 cars alongside the kinds of GT300 cars that normally compete with GT500 machinery. Taking part in a race with the history and significance of the Suzuka 1000km gives us an opportunity to see whether the type of event we have created can reach the global stage. Through the success of the GT300 class, we hope to add value and further internationalize the category.” He added that GTA intends to continue addressing the remaining challenges while also listening to feedback from the teams expected to participate.
Bandoh also discussed how championship points could be awarded for the Suzuka 1000km. While stressing that the details have not yet been finalized, he indicated that the current direction is not to adopt a dropped-points system, with the race instead expected to be treated in the same manner as a regular championship round. However, the specific point allocation remains undecided. Given the race’s 1000km distance, the possibility of introducing bonus points, as seen in the past, is also under consideration. He further noted that GT500 drivers making guest appearances in the event would not be eligible to score championship points.
“Many GT500 drivers would probably participate as guest drivers, but they will not receive points. First of all, we need to focus on promotion in a way that helps attract spectators. There are still many details to work through, but we definitely want to make this event a success.”
The discussion then moved to Round 7 at Autopolis. Asked about preparations for the event, Bandoh reflected on the support activities that had been carried out following the Kumamoto Earthquake. “We were able to assist with activities led primarily by Autopolis in whatever ways we could.” He also revealed that he is scheduled to meet with the Governor of Oita Prefecture during the race weekend at Autopolis.
Bandoh added that, going forward, fundraising activities at race circuits will continue under the leadership of the Motorsports Committee of the Automobile Business & Culture Association of Japan, with the Japanese motorsport industry working together to support the affected areas.
The Success Weight regulations for the Autopolis round were also explained. Because the replacement event for the postponed Round 3 Malaysia race will now be held at the season finale at Motegi, full Success Weight (points earned × 2 kg) will be applied at Autopolis. The replacement Round 3 race, to be held on Saturday at Motegi, will use half Success Weight (cars competing in their seventh race will carry success weight equal to their points earned × 1 kg), while Sunday’s final race of the season will be contested with no Success Weight.
Finally, Bandoh again addressed the GT300 class points system. Since the planned Sepang round, which would have involved entry restrictions, is no longer being held and all teams are able to compete in all eight rounds of the championship, he confirmed that a dropped-points system will not be introduced for 2026. The GT300 championship standings will therefore be determined using points scored across all eight rounds of the season.
