The GT Association (GTA) has announced the final race distances for the 2022 Autobacs Super GT Series, which begins on the weekend of 16-17 April with the Okayama GT 300km Race at Okayama International Speedway.
Headlining the series’ announcement from Saturday is the confirmation of three 450 kilometre semi-endurance events, supplemented by five races run to the standard distance of 300 kilometres.
The Golden Week race at Fuji Speedway on 3-4 May, which has traditionally been run to a 500km distance since 2001, will now be a 450km (99 lap) race. The summer race at Fuji on 6-7 August, originally announced in the 2022 JAF motor sports calendar as a 500 mile race, will instead be another 450km/99 lap event. And the 27-28 August race at Suzuka Circuit has been lengthened from a provisional distance of 300km, to 450km (78 laps).
Today’s announcements confirm a surprising turn of events from within the series. GTA Chairman, Masaaki Bandoh, had planned to lengthen the standard distance events from 300km to 350km this upcoming season – with the aim of encouraging automakers and tyre manufacturers to develop more efficient, longer-lasting engines and tyres.
Along with the proposed revival of the Fuji 500 Mile Race that is now off the table, Chairman Bandoh had also been in talks to revive the Suzuka 1000km in its traditional summer date in August, before moving towards a modified proposal for a timed endurance race on the same date.
It is understood that the GTA’s push for longer races in 2022 caused valid concerns with some teams – particularly in the GT300 class – over the associated costs of running longer races across the board.
After off-season discussions, Super GT will now move forward with its sprint and ‘semi-endurance’ rounds in what is shaping up to be another banner year for the series, at any distance.
2022 Autobacs Super GT Series Schedule (updated 5 March)
16-17 April: Okayama International Circuit (300km)
3-4 May: Fuji Speedway (450km)
28-29 May: Suzuka Circuit (300km)
6-7 August: Fuji Speedway (450km)
27-28 August: Suzuka Circuit (450km)
17-18 September: Sportsland Sugo (300km)
1-2 October: Autopolis International Racing Course (300km)
5-6 November: Mobility Resort Motegi (300km)
Images courtesy of the GT Association (GTA)
