One of Japan's largest exhibitions of custom cars and products that draws attention not only domestically but also from overseas, TOKYO AUTO SALON 2025, is held from January 10th (Fri) to 12th (Sun) at Makuhari Messe in Chiba Prefecture. Major automakers, including those familiar in SUPER GT like Toyota, Honda, Nissan, and Subaru, as well as manufacturers of tire, auto parts, custom parts, accessories, etc. were present with decorated booths.
　Manufacturers and shops that are linked with SUPER GT were also seen at the venue, which included the SUPER GT booth set up by GTA, the operator of SUPER GT. Many booths, including AUTOBACS, put SUPER GT race cars on display along with related products and hosted events with appearances by drivers and team managers. Fans were able to get a feel of the excitement before the season opens in April.

 

◎Details of TOKYO AUTO SALON 2025 (admission, directions, etc.) can be found HERE.
→ Official website of Tokyo Auto Salon 2025
Venue: Makuhari Messe (Japan Convention Center)/2-1 Nakase, Mihama Ward, Chiba

 

 

 

 

 

 

■Three old and new GT500 class race cars on display at SUPER GT booth.

　SUPER GT booth was set on the alley in the East Hall again this year. No.39 DENSO KOBELCO SARD GR Supra competed in the 2024 season and won the Round 7 Autopolis, No.17 Astemo CIVIC TYPE R-GT that captured podium-finish twice in its debut year of 2024, and the 2003 from the JGTC era, No.22 MOTUL PITWORK GT-R, decorated the booth.

 

 

No.39 DENSO KOBELCO SARD GR Supra (2024-model）

 

No.17 Astemo CIVIC TYPE R-GT (2024-model）

 

No.22 MOTUL PITWORK GT-R（2003-model）

 

 

■Malaysian promoter traveled to Japan to promote Malaysian event.

　Scenes from last year's races and promotional video were displayed on the large-sized screen set up in the booth. An exclusive counter was set in the booth for SUPER GT's official fan club, SUPER GT Supporter Club. The counter provided guidance for the 2025-membership as well as information on campaigns for enrollment. B2 poster-size, GT500 or GT300-themed calender was given away to those who became a member of the supporter club during Tokyo Auto Salon. In addition, there is a special offer where if a member refers a friend and the friend becomes a member, both the member and friend receive a tabletop GT500-themed calendar.

 

 

 

 

　The famous photo spot was also reinstalled at the venue. The backdrop was filled with autographs of SUPER GT drivers who visited Tokyo Auto Salon.

 

 

 

 

　At the dedicated area set up for the Malaysian event that will return to the series in 2025, the local promoter traveled to Japan to promote the event and handed out flyers directly to visitors.

 

 

 

 

 

 

■SUBARU introduced new race car and team members for their endeavor to regain GT300 class crown.

　Press conference was held at the SUBARU booth on January 10th, and Hiromi Tamo, the president of Subaru Technica International, Inc., announced the company's plan for the racing activities and team organization for the 2025-season. They will continue to compete in the GT300 class of SUPER GT as No.61 car. The president made public that Team general manager Masahiro Ozawa, Team manager Minoru Sawada, and the driver lineup of Takuto Iguchi and Hideki Yamauchi will continue. SUBARU BRZ GT300 will continue to be fielded, but Tamo indicated in his comments that the race car will have significant update, "The car will be rebuilt completely for the 2025-season, and, in addition to rigidity, we will make sure the aerodynamics is refined." He concluded his remark by expressing the team's determination for the new season, "Victory was so far away for us last year, and we thought we owe apologies to our fans. There were many mistakes made, but those were consequences of our team challenging to the limit. We did troubleshooting of everything and put effort in improving predictability, so we are confident we can regain the title this year. I'm sure our fans can see and enjoy aggressive but consistent driving by our two drivers." 2025-model SUBARU BRZ GT300 with new livery was showcased inside of the booth.

 

 

No.61 SUBARU BRZ R&D SPORT（2025-model） SUBARU/STI （East Hall/No.717)

 

 

■UPGARAGE switches to Mercedes AMG GT3, acquires new FIA-F4 champion Yuto Nomura.

　Presentation session was also hosted at the UPGARAGE booth, and the GT300 class team organization of No.18 TEAM UPGARAGE for the 2025-season was unveiled. With the customer support of NSX GT3 coming to an end in 2024, the attention was poured over which race car would UPGARAGE be fielding this season, and the decision was made for Mercedes AMG GT3. "After reviewing various options, we concluded that we can be in the nearest range of a victory with this machine from a view of performance, track records, and support program", commented Team Manager Makoto Ishida. The new race car completed assembly a few days ago at a factory in Germany and is expected to be ready for the test in February if air freight and customs clearance complete smoothly. It will wear a familiar black and yellow coloring which is inspired from tiger.

 

 

 

 

　The team's ace driver Takashi Kobayashi will continue to drive for them. The other part of the driver lineup has been decided with Yuto Nomura, who captured the 2024 FIA-F4 champion, making his debut in GT racing. "I'm really delighted that I can compete on the stage that I had been dreamed of. This will be my first experience in racing with a production-based race car, but I have confidence", commented Nomura.

　Kobayashi shared his thoughts on the 2025-season alongside Nomura, "I just exchanged 'Nice to meet you' with Nomura today, so I don't really know what kind of a driver he is. (laughter) But he said he is confident, so I look forward to racing along with him. My impression of Mercedes AMG GT3, from what I saw, is it can put out good performance consistently. So, for this year, I hope we can fight in the upper group regularly and become champion. It's about time."

 

 

 

 

　There were many events held at different booths during the two days from January 11th where drivers and team managers made appearances. Hiroki Yoshida and Seita Nonaka of No.52 Green Brave GR Supra GT took part in a talk show on January 10th (VELENO: Booth No.940).　

 

 

 

 

 

 

■Collection of major SUPER GT machines at Tokyo Auto Salon 2025

※Excluding cars mentioned in the article. Respective car and booth names beneath photo.