Absolute Racing Converts Suzuka Pace into IGTC 1000km Victory

The #8 entry had already topped Qualifying 2 with a 1:59.054 lap before leading the race overall. Its best race lap of 2:00.175 was enough to secure the win ahead of the #64 Miedecke Motorsport By Team MPC entry of Christopher Mies, Dennis Olsen, and Frédéric Vervisch.

The #64 crew was consistently near the front throughout the weekend, finishing second in Night Practice, Qualifying 1, and Qualifying 2. It secured pole in the combined qualifying classification with a 1:59.277 average, but finished 51.416 seconds behind the winners in the race.

Absolute Racing also completed the overall podium with its #7 entry. Ayhancan Güven, Alessandro Ghiretti, and Dorian Boccolacci were third in Night Practice, Qualifying 2, and the combined classification before finishing third in the 1000km race. Boccolacci set the fastest race lap of the event, recording a 1:59.966 on lap 128.

The PONOS RACING #45 showed the strongest one-lap pace across the opening qualifying sessions. Seita Nonaka, Takuro Shinohara, and Tadasuke Makino topped Pre-Qualifying with a 2:00.112 before setting the fastest time in Qualifying 1 at 1:58.523. They ultimately placed second in the combined qualifying classification.

The #500 TEAM 5ZIGEN Nissan also opened strongly, with Katsumasa Chiyo, Kazuki Hiramine, and Atsushi Miyake topping Pre-Qualifying in 1:59.908. The entry later finished second in the Pro class in Qualifying 3.

In the Bronze class, Anthony McIntosh, Parker Thompson, and Dan Harper delivered one of the weekend’s most consistent performances. They finished second overall in Qualifying 2, led the Bronze class in that session, and placed third overall in Qualifying 3 before winning the class and finishing seventh overall in the race.

LM Corsa’s #60 entry dominated the Pro-Am classification. Kei Nakanishi, Shigekazu Wakisaka, and Giancarlo Fisichella led the class in Night Practice, Qualifying 1, and Qualifying 2, secured the combined-classification pole, and converted it into a class victory with tenth overall.

Team WRT #69 took Bronze honours, while Runup Sports #360 was the sole Am entry and finished 28th overall. The Suzuka 1000km therefore closed with AO by Absolute Racing at the head of the overall classification, followed by Miedecke Motorsport By Team MPC and Absolute Racing.