With just two weeks left until the 2024 Fuji Super TEC 24 Hours, several exciting entries are coming together for Super Taikyu’s blue riband event.
The most significant of these is in the ST-X class, where Craft-Bamboo Racing is set to enter the Eneos Super Taikyu Series for the first time.
https://twitter.com/SuperTaikyu_STO/status/1788038689999974650
Craft-Bamboo’s Japanese division (appropriately named Craft-Bamboo Racing Japan) tested its #85 Mercedes-AMG GT3 for the first time this past Wednesday, during Super Taikyu’s official pre-event test at Fuji Speedway. It set the fastest lap time during the three daytime sessions at 1:42.038.
While drivers have yet to be officially announced, three of the team’s test drivers were identified by fans at trackside: Jeffrey Lee and Jayden Ojeda – two of Craft-Bamboo Racing’s regulars; and Honda works driver Kakunoshin Ohta.
Only two other ST-X cars participated in the test: The #1 Zhongsheng ROOKIE Racing Mercedes, and the #81 GTNET MotorSports Nissan GT-R NISMO GT3. The #31 apr Lexus RC F GT3 was a late scratch, likely owed to Hiroaki Nagai’s participation in GT World Challenge America.
One of ST-Z’s newest teams is a collaboration between Team 2W Zoomies from Thailand, and GR Garage Yamaguchi-Shunan, which is linked with Cerumo and INGING Motorsport.
ST-Z #59 2W Zoomies x GR Garage 山口・周南
2W Yamaguchi GR Supra GT4 EVO#S耐 #スーパー耐久 #SuperTaikyu #富士24時間 #Fuji24h #ENEOS #BRIDGESTONE pic.twitter.com/h9qimWGlN2— スーパー耐久シリーズ (@SuperTaikyu_STO) May 8, 2024
Legendary three-time SUPER GT GT500 Champion Yuji Tachikawa and TGR-DC training driver Kazuhisa Urabe tested the car alongside 2W Zoomies’ owner Kachorn Chiaravanont, and the Adulayavichitr brothers, Andrew and Warren – the latter three coming from the Thailand Super Series.
It’s also worth noting that some distance away from Fuji Speedway – at Autopolis to be specific – Fukuoka-based Team Noah announced its 2024 plans. Vehicle inspection company Mach Syaken will be the team’s new primary sponsor, bringing with it a change to the familiar Mach 5 colours from Mach GoGoGo/Speed Racer and a number change from 75 to 5.
Team Noah revealed its six drivers for the season, bringing in Yu Kanamaru as the team’s new “ace driver” joined by two newcomers: 20-year-old karting graduate Kokoro Morita, and ST-3 alumnus Aruga Tomita. Team owner Yuji Kiyotaki will also drive alongside Toshiro Tsukada and Riki Tanioka.
Some teams are also expanding their driver line-ups for Fuji.
Naniwa Denso Team Impul has confirmed the addition of 2022 GT500 Champion Bertrand Baguette and recent substitute driver Keishi Ishikawa for the Fuji 24 Hours. They’ll join the regular trio of Yuki Tanaka, Kazuki Hiramine, and Kazuki Oki.
Hitotsuyama Racing tested KYOJO Cup driver Mako Hirakawa in the #21 Mercedes-AMG GT4, ahead of her planned GT4 race debut. If the surname sounds familiar, it should – Mako is the younger sister of Toyota Gazoo Racing WEC driver Ryo.
Former TGR-DC prospect Rin Arakawa, who recently made his GT300 debut at Fuji four days ago, tested with ST-Z champions Saitama Green Brave in their #52 Toyota – though his participation in the Fuji 24H is yet to be confirmed.
Meanwhile, seven ST-Q cars participated in the test.
NISMO and Nissan confirmed the entry of the GT4-based #230 Nissan Z Racing Concept, using carbon-neutral fuel and featuring an all-star six-driver line-up with current works drivers Daiki Sasaki, Kohei Hirate, Mitsunori Takaboshi, Ronnie Quintarelli, Katsumasa Chiyo – and the returning legend, Satoshi Motoyama.
Team SDA Engineering, which didn’t race at Sugo, appeared for the first time with the current #61 Subaru BRZ CNF Concept. However, the team’s new vehicle, a version of the WRX STI S4, appeared for a photo shoot with other ST-Q cars, hinting at its imminent debut.
S4発見#スーパー耐久 #S耐 pic.twitter.com/8WdXiTeoNk
— nbtwit (@ran_NB) May 7, 2024
Honda also confirmed its Fuji 24H drivers in the #271 Team HRC Civic Type R CNF-R: Works drivers Hiroki Otsu and Hideki Mutoh, sharing with past KYOJO Cup Champion Shion Tsujimoto, veteran driver and automotive critic Shinichi Katsura, plus Yohei Hashimoto and Masamichi Ishii, both car critics.
Super Taikyu is expected to publish a full entry list later this week.
Images © STO, Team Noah
