GT300 team SHADE Racing has announced that it will switch to Michelin tyres for the upcoming 2024 Autobacs SUPER GT Series.
Entering their third season in SUPER GT, SHADE Racing is looking to build upon a marked improvement during 2023. The #20 SHADE Racing Toyota GR86, built to the GTA-GT300 vehicle regulations, picked up its first front-row start and first podium finish at Sportsland Sugo.
Katsuyuki Hiranaka, SHADE’s experienced lead driver, will return for his third GT300 campaign with the team alongside 20-year-old Eijiro Shimizu, who took a step forward in his sophomore season last year.
The 5.4 litre V8-powered Toyota GR86 will also return next season, now running on Michelin tyres.
The French tyre maker has now gained two GT300 customers for the upcoming season, with the new PONOS Racing team and its Ferrari 296 GT3 also onboard – and expected to be joined by BMW M Team Studie, which has won two races over the last two seasons with Michelin as its tyre supplier.
This aligns with Michelin’s new strategy for its SUPER GT involvement following the end of its GT500 participation with Nissan and NISMO.
Feature image © GTA
