Team UpGarage used its time at the Tokyo Auto Salon to announce its entry into the 2026 Autobacs SUPER GT Series GT300 class, featuring a new tie-up with Honda GT500 team Real Racing, and a new driver.
The team will continue to field the #18 UpGarage Mercedes-AMG GT3 EVO, which took victory in SUPER GT’s return to Petronas Sepang International Circuit in June. Takashi Kobayashi returns for his ninth season with Team UpGarage; the veteran driver finished 11th in the GT300 Drivers’ Championship alongside Yuto Nomura.
With Nomura moving up to the GT500 class, Team UpGarage has announced Honda Formula Dream Project (HFDP) driver Kotaro Shimbara as his replacement. Shimbara finished third in last year’s FIA F4 Japanese Championship in his first year as an HFDP-backed driver. He was also a finalist for the Honda Racing School Formula (HRS Formula) scholarship in 2023.
The 21-year-old is currently enrolled at the University of Tokyo’s Faculty of Economics – and in addition to his sports car debut, he’ll be stepping up the single-seater ladder to Super Formula Lights.
Shimbara continues a growing line of Honda junior drivers who have made their SUPER GT debut at Team UpGarage, including Nomura, Syun Koide (2023-24), and Kakunoshin Ohta (2022).
It is through this strong bond with Honda – one which continued even after the NSX GT3 was retired from GT300 competition – that Team UpGarage will have a new vehicle maintenance partnership with Real Racing, taking the place of previous provider Servus Japan.
Feature image © GTA
