With the conclusion of the 2026 AUTOBACS SUPER GT Official tests at Okayama and Fuji, the opening round of the season at Okayama is fast approaching (held on April 11th and 12th). With this, we interviewed some of the drivers who will be the focus of special attention, as well as rookie drivers and newly added drivers. As we look forward to the start of the series we offer their messages to the SUPER GT fans.
In this sixth edition, we will be talking with Yuto Nomura, a driver who ran a pole-to-win race in the GT300 class last year and this year has stepped up to the GT500 class as a member of the No.17 Astemo HRC PRELUDE-GT team.
* Interviewed at the Official tests Okayama
Yuto Nomura No.17 Astemo HRC PRELUDE-GT（GT500 class rookie）
− You have finally stepped up to the GT500 class and are now facing the start of the new season. First of all, please tell us how you came to join your new team? Around the time last year’s Super Formula Lights ended, I was told (that the projects were progressing). I was very happy to hear that. To begin with, since I didn’t know if I was going to be able to drive in the GT500 class and I didn’t know what that meant, I was just surprised. But I was really happy about it.
− The Astemo REAL RACING you will join this season is a team with a good record, isn’t it. What impressions did you get of it during these tests? Last year I was taken in by the TEAM UPGARAGE (GT300 car No. 18). This season the Astemo REAL RACING team I am with I could say has the atmosphere of a sports-minded team, and I feel great passion in them. I can feel how everyone on the team is working to put together a good car, and I feel that it is running very well.
− Your teammate Koudai Tsukakoshi has long been driving the Honda GT500 class car well and has won victories in it I believe. How do you feel now that you are driving with him? Tsukakoshi-san is my senior and has come through the Honda driver development program, and he had come to coach us when I was in SRS-K (*), so I had some contact with him. I am very glad to have become a teammate with such great senior. (*) Suzuka Circuit Racing School Kart. In 2022 it changed to the Honda Racing School (HRS) and in 2024 the Kart Class was terminated.
− From before these Official Tests you were driving the PRELUDE-GT, weren’t you? Would you tell us your impression of this new car? I did some driving in the PRELUDE-GT at Sepang (January Maker Test), then in the Okayama and Fuji Maker Tests (February), then I came to these Official Tests. Since the front turning characteristics were high, and the balance was farther forward, it is a car in which I feel it is easy to maintain good grip in the front tires. I don’t know yet how it will do in long runs when the classes run together, but I have gotten used to driving the car by now.
− Finally, can we ask you about your expectations for the opening round at Okayama and you’re your first season running in the GT500 class. Since the other makers are also strong, to tell the truth I won’t know until the opening round comes, but I think the (PRELUDE-GT also） has the potential to compete for the lead. Car No. 36 (GR Supra) looks to be in very good condition, but I hope to see us get as close to it as possible to them in the Official Tests.
In our next interview we will talk with Rikuto Kobayashi who raced last season in the GT300 class and got a win, and this season has stepped up to the GT500 class, where he will drive the No. 38 KeePer CERUMO GR Supra. We hope you will look forward to it.
