Sho Tsuboi and Kenta Yamashita crowned at Motegi

Starting second on the grid behind their Team Cerumo rivals, Sho Tsuboi wasted no time in taking the lead, seizing it as early as turn 4 of the Motegi circuit. The reigning champion was quickly followed by Bertrand Baguette, driving the No. 12 Nissan. Tsuboi managed to maintain his lead during the first stint before handing the wheel to his teammate Kenta Yamashita on lap 23 of the 63-lap race. On course for the title, the two drivers nevertheless had to contend with a last-ditch effort from Honda.

Because if qualifying and the start of the race were a matter of ToyotaThe circuit's owner, Honda, took a gamble on the Team Kunimitsu machine, simply not changing its tires during its pit stop. This quick visit to the pit lane allowed them to take the lead. Tadasuke Makino was then leading by just over ten seconds at the wheel of the #100 Honda, and could at least hope to secure the team title for Team Kunimitsu.

The gamble backfired, however, and by lap 29, Makino had been overtaken by Yamashita for the lead. The Honda driver managed to finish fourth, but the battle for victory was concentrated among the three leaders. Ultimately, it was the No. 1 Toyota that took the win, securing a third consecutive GT500 title for Team TOM'S, a feat never before accomplished. The No. 12 Nissan of Hiramine/Baguette finished second, just two-tenths of a second behind, while another Nissan, the No. 23, completed the podium, one second behind the winning car.

In the GT300 class, victory went to the Toyota 86 Mother Chassis of Team Mach (Iori Kimura/Yusuke Shiotsu). A particularly moving win, as it was the team's first ever, having been founded 22 years ago! The title was won by the Team LEON Racing duo, Naoya Gamou and Togo Suganami, driving their Mercedes-AMG. All thanks to a sixth place finish in this Motegi final.

Super GT – Motegi
The classification of the race

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