Johor Motorsports Racing (JMR) has confirmed its driver line-up for next month’s Suzuka 1000KM, the fourth round of the 2026 Intercontinental GT Challenge.
The Malaysian squad will field a pair of Chevroley Corvette Z06 GT3.Rs in the event, with one car each in Pro and Pro-Am.
In its Pro entry, Corvette Racing factory drivers Nicky Catsburg and Alexander Sims will again team up with IndyCar racer Scott McLaughlin, reprising the trio which finished third overall last year.
“Japan is one of my favourite destinations and I’m massively looking forward to being back at Japan and with JMR – it’s a team I’ve grown very fond of after our races at Suzuka last year and Bathurst in February,” Catsburg said.
“It’s very cool to have Scott McLaughlin back on board, and of course, to drive with Alex Sims again. I get to race against him a lot in America, so to race with him on the same team again will be nice. Last year at Suzuka we scored a podium after some awesome battles and with a very fast car, and hopefully we can fight for the podium, and even the win, in 2026.”
It will be McLaughlin’s fourth start in a Z06 GT3.R, after Suzuka last year and appearances in the past two editions of the 24 Hours of Daytona.
“I’m so excited to get back with the team at JMR,” he said. “Their operation is absolutely first class and last year I had a real blast trying to win a race with such great people! Suzuka was one of my favourite races last year, so I can’t wait to get back there with JMR, Nicky and Alex, and push for the win in 2026.”
The Pro-Am car will be driven by HH Prince Jefri Ibrahim, HH Prince Abu Bakar Ibrahim and Ben Green, all of whom are regulars with the IGTC-focused team.
This trio, alongside Jordan Love, finished second in Pro-Am in February’s Bathurst 12 Hour, before winning the class at the 24 Hours of Spa.
HH Prince Jefri Ibrahim and HH Prince Abu Bakar Ibrahim, joined by Konsta Lappalainen, were runner-up finishers in Pro-Am at Suzuka last year. Green, meanwhile, is making his Suzuka debut.
“This year is about growing stronger together as a team. We showed good pace at Le Mans and won our class at the CrowdStrike 24 Hours of Spa, which meant an enormous amount to us,” said HH Prince Jefri Ibrahim.
“A Pro entry in the big events has always been part of JMR’s plan; last year was our first appearance at Suzuka and we had two cars on the podium, and this year we’re hoping for an even stronger result. I’m really happy to have Alexander Sims, Scott McLaughlin and Nicky Catsburg in the Pro car.
“I’ve given the drivers the freedom to be completely transparent about whatever needs working on. The most important thing is a good result, and with their experience and speed, I’m really looking forward to seeing what they can do.
“This is just the beginning of JMR’s future with the Pro car. We’re still a young team, but we’re heading in the right direction, and the success we’ve found with Corvette has been a great start. I just want to keep improving as a driver, improve the car, and improve the team, so we’re strong in the bigger races we want to take on in the future.”
Green commented: “I’m very excited to be heading to Suzuka for the first time. I’ve made my debut at several legendary tracks this year with JMR, such as Bathurst and Le Mans, so Suzuka will be another amazing circuit to add to that list! I’m looking forward to joining Prince Jefri and Prince Abu after our success last time out in the 24 Hours of Spa, where we won the Pro-Am class. We’ll give our best to fight through the heat and humidity for the top spot in the Pro-Am class once again!”
JMR’s effort will be Corvette Racing’s first in the Pro class in IGTC competition since the Bathurst 12 Hour, when Catsburg, Sims and Earl Bamber were in contention for victory until a left-rear suspension failure in the penultimate hour.
Andrea Hidalgo, Corvette Racing programme manager, said: “It’s very exciting to see JMR step up again to the Pro class at the Suzuka 1000km with Alexander, Nicky and Scott in the Corvette Z06 GT3.R. They are three world-class drivers, and everyone at Corvette Racing and our fans are looking forward to watching them go up against the best GT teams and drivers on the Intercontinental GT Challenge’s global stage.
“JMR’s success – four race wins in less than two years – with the Corvette has been impressive; we’re extremely proud of the success from Prince Jefri, Prince Abu Bakar and the whole JMR team, and can’t wait to see how both entries perform at Suzuka.”
The 50th running of the Suzuka 1000KM will take place on 11–13 September 2026.
Images courtesy of Johor Motorsports Racing JMR
