August 15, 2025
Introduction of Participating Teams
The provisional entry list was released on July 18 (Fri) for the 2025 Intercontinental GT Challenge Round 4 49th SUZUKA 1000km, held from September 12 (Fri) to 14 (Sun). This season, the first since 2019, features a lineup of 30 cars from both domestic and international teams. Let's introduce the leading teams.
The Intercontinental GT Challenge (IGTC) is contested on five iconic circuits around the world. The basic concept is that, in addition to teams competing in all five races, prominent local teams also participate, and manufacturers registered for the IGTC Manufacturer* Championship (in 2025, Mercedes-AMG, Porsche, BMW, and Ferrari) earn points through these teams.
This season's SUZUKA 1000km reflects this concept, with many teams from GT World Challenge Asia powered by AWS (GTWCA)* entering. The event features a competition between teams competing in the IGTC series and teams participating from Japan.
*Manufacturer: Refers to automobile manufacturers
*GT World Challenge Asia powered by AWS (GTWCA): Like IGTC, it is an international GT racing series held across Asia, organized by the SRO Motorsports Group
As a major team in GTWCA, the Chinese Origine Motorsport (Porsche 911 GT3 R), currently leading the rankings this season, is notable. In addition to employing Porsche factory drivers, they also have Leo Ye Hongli, who honed his skills in the All-Japan F3 Championship.
Origine Motorsport
Also, among the GTWCA teams, Johor Motorsport Racing JMR from Malaysia, which introduced the Chevrolet Corvette Z06 GT3.R this season, is also strong. H.H. Prince Abdul Rahman Ibrahim and H.H. Prince Abu Bakar Ibrahim, princes of Johor state in Malaysia, are both fast and form a powerful duo.
Johor Motorsport Racing JMR
Another one of Asia's top powerful teams is Hong Kong's Mercedes-AMG Team Craft-Bamboo Racing. It is one of the official performance teams running the Mercedes-AMG GT3 EVO and has won various honors worldwide. Other strong contenders from various manufacturers include Phantom Global Racing (Porsche), Absolute Racing (Lamborghini Huracán GT3 EVO2), and Team KRC (BMW M4 GT3).
In addition to these teams, some of the most prestigious names from Europe and America will also participate. Notable teams include 75 Express, known for their Mercedes adorned with flames, GetSpeed, and Heart of Racing by SPS. Also mentioned is Germany’s Herberth Motorsport, which competes with Porsches not only in Europe but also in the Middle East. Among the favorites for victory is Mercedes-AMG Team GMR, a renowned team known in the GT racing world as GruppeM Racing, and the winner of the 2018 Suzuka 10 Hours. Among the participating teams, they are the ones who know best how to "win" at Suzuka.
Mercedes-AMG Team Craft-Bamboo Racing
75 Express
Herberth Motorsport
Mercedes-AMG Team GMR
The Japanese teams facing such strong overseas competitors also have an exciting lineup. Among the teams participating in GTWCA are Porsche Center Okazaki (Porsche), LM Corsa (Ferrari 296 GT3), and TEAM 5ZIGEN (Nissan GT-R NISMO GT3). In particular, TEAM 5ZIGEN consistently competes for the overall top positions in every GTWCA race and is a regular on the SILVER-AM class podium. Their participation with a Japanese car is also something to look forward to.
Porsche Center Okazaki
LM Corsa
TEAM 5ZIGEN
Also, starting in 2024, four rounds will be held within Japan, and from the SRO Japan Cup*, which will be held concurrently at the Suzuka 1000km, Bingo Racing (Callaway Corvette C7 GT3-R), PONOS RACING (Ferrari), Team Handwork Challenge (Nissan), and MAEZAWA RACING (Ferrari) will participate.
*SRO Japan Cup: A race held domestically in Japan as a support series for GTWCA
Bingo Racing
PONOS RACING
Team Handwork Challenge
Bingo Racing is fielding the globally rare Callaway Corvette C7 GT3-R for the first time in a while, driven by a strong lineup of drivers. Also, MAEZAWA RACING is attracting attention as Yusaku Maezawa will be participating in a world championship for the first time. Furthermore, Team Handwork Challenge has announced their entry with the lineup of Daiki Sasaki, Iori Kimura, and Atsushi Miyake, aiming for the overall victory.
Bingo Racing
MAEZAWA RACING
Lastly, we want to mention Goodsmile Racing. This strong team boasts three championships in the SUPER GT GT300 class and has also made a return this season to compete in the IGTC Spa 24 Hours. Ryuya Kataoka, who drives alongside Nobuteru Taniguchi and Kamui Kobayashi, said, "We will be competing against strong Asian teams, and since it’s been a while since we last used Pirelli tires, we see ourselves as challengers. I don’t think it will be an easy race." As the detailed entry list is announced, expectations for a fierce battle are likely to rise.
Goodsmile Racing
