Super GT squad Modulo Drago CORSE has become the first team to enter a Honda NSX GT3 in this season’s inaugural Suzuka 10 Hours.
Team owner Ryo Michigami and Hiroki Otsu – who finished fifth in Japanese Formula 3 last season – comprise two thirds of the driver crew, with a third team-mate to be added in due course.
Honda were amongst the initial batch of manufacturers to support Asia’s new Intercontinental GT Challenge round in Japan, which takes place on August 24-26. However, Modulo Drago CORSE are the first team to publically confirm an entry with the new NSX, which will compete in customer hands for the first time this season.
The entry follows hot on the heels of Modulo Drago CORSE announcing its wider Super GT programme with Honda. The Japanese team was established by Michigami in 2014 and contested 2015/16’s Super GT500 class before switching to the World Touring Car Championship last season. It returns to the GT300 ranks this year with the new NSX, as well as Michigami and Otsu.
This year’s 47th Summer Endurance Race maintains the Suzuka 1000km’s proud heritage following a change in format and regulations. Such status is reflected in the number of full-season Intercontinental GT Challenge, Japanese and one-off entries from around the region, as well as the level of manufacturer support. Indeed, Honda is just one brand on a list that currently includes Audi, Bentley, BMW, Lamborghini, Mercedes-AMG, Nissan, Porsche and Toyota.
Uniquely, Suzuka’s event will see traditional FIA GT3 cars go head-to-head against their Japanese JAF GT-spec counterparts on the same control Pirelli tyre as used around the world. Prize money totalling 100-million Yen has already been confirmed for a blue riband race that more teams and manufacturers are expected to support in the coming months.
The race is being jointly co-ordinated by SRO Motorsports Group – best known for overseeing the Blancpain GT Series in Europe and Asia – Super GT organiser GTA, and Mobilityland Corporation, who are all closely collaborating on the project.
Suzuka is just one of four endurance races on this year’s Intercontinental GT Challenge calendar, which also features events in Australia, Europe and North America.
