Super GT and JGTC: Japan's Flagship Touring Car Championship History

Super GT (formerly JGTC — Japan Grand Touring Car Championship) is Japan's flagship touring car racing series. Since 1994, it has pitted factory-backed Toyota, Nissan, and Honda race cars against each other in a championship that has featured cars of astonishing performance and distinctive Japanese aesthetic appeal. For many enthusiasts, JGTC/Super GT represents Japanese motorsport at its most spectacular — wildly-modified Skylines, Supras, NSX-GTs, and Celicas battling at Fuji Speedway, Suzuka, Sugo, and other legendary Japanese circuits.

From JGTC to Super GT

The championship was founded in 1994 as the JGTC (All-Japan Grand Touring Car Championship). It was created to replace the Group A touring car championship that had ended, and to provide a domestic top-tier racing series for Japanese manufacturers.

In 2005, the series was renamed Super GT to reflect broader international ambitions. The core format and class structure remained similar, but Super GT added international rounds (notably at Sepang in Malaysia and occasionally other Asian circuits). The renaming also coincided with expanded TV coverage and sponsorship growth.

The Two Classes: GT500 and GT300

Super GT features two classes running simultaneously on the same track:

GT500 (The Top Class)

GT500 cars are the fastest, most heavily modified vehicles in the championship. From 1994-2013, they were based on production sports cars (Nissan Skyline GT-R, Toyota Supra, Honda NSX) but with extensive modifications including:

• Mid-mounted turbocharged engines (often not the factory engine)
• Full racing aerodynamics (splitters, diffusers, wings)
• Carbon fiber bodywork
• Purpose-built tube frame chassis underneath cosmetically-recognizable bodies
• 500+ HP race engines

From 2014 onwards, GT500 adopted the "Class 1" regulations shared with the German DTM series, standardizing chassis construction and powertrains across all manufacturers. Modern GT500 cars (2014-present) are essentially tube-frame race cars wearing production car-inspired body shells.

GT300 (The Support Class)

GT300 cars are slower and less exotic, typically based on more closely-production-derived vehicles. The class has included Subaru Imprezas, Lexus RC-F, Mercedes-AMG GT, Honda Civic Type R, and many others. GT300 provides a home for private teams and smaller manufacturers alongside the big factories.

Historic Factory Battles

1994-1999: Skyline Dominance

The early JGTC years were dominated by the Nissan Skyline GT-R R32, R33, and R34. Factory-backed Nismo teams, Calsonic Team Impul, and various privateers ran modified GT-R race cars that proved virtually unbeatable in early competition.

Notable drivers: Masahiro Hasemi, Kazuyoshi Hoshino, Aguri Suzuki (yes, the former F1 driver)

1999-2005: Supra vs Skyline vs NSX

Toyota's Supra MK4 JGTC (Team Sard, Castrol Toyota, others) became a consistent competitor to the GT-R. Honda also joined with the NSX-GT (Team Mugen, Raybrig, ARTA). The three-way factory battle between Nissan, Toyota, and Honda produced some of JGTC's most competitive races.

2005-2013: Modern Era

Super GT continued evolving with newer car designs. Nissan transitioned from R34 to R35 GT-R bodywork. Toyota retired the Supra and replaced it with the Lexus SC430 (based on their grand tourer). Honda eventually retired the NSX and switched to HSV-010 and later NSX-GT models.

2014-Present: Class 1 Standardization

Since adopting Class 1 regulations, GT500 cars have become more standardized. Current GT500 entries include:

• Nissan GT-R Nismo GT500 (factory + privateer)
• Toyota GR Supra GT500 (factory Toyota Gazoo Racing)
• Honda NSX GT500 (factory Honda and Mugen teams)

The racing is extremely close — most races feature multiple lead changes and last-lap drama.

Iconic Cars and Liveries

Super GT is famous for its elaborate, colorful liveries. Some of the most iconic:

Castrol TOM's Toyota Supra (JGTC Era)

The red, white, and orange Castrol livery on the Toyota Supra became synonymous with 90s Japanese racing. TOM's (Tachi Oiwa Motor Sports) was a legendary Toyota tuning house that ran factory Toyota teams in JGTC and Super GT for decades.

Calsonic Nismo R34 GT-R

The distinctive Calsonic blue R34 GT-R became one of the most photographed race cars of the early 2000s. Driven by Satoshi Motoyama, it won multiple JGTC championships.

Raybrig Honda NSX-GT

The famous white and red Raybrig (Ray Brig) livery on the Honda NSX-GT. Associated with drivers like Takashi Kogure and Naoki Yamamoto.

Autobacs Racing Team Aguri (ARTA) Honda NSX

Orange and white ARTA liveries have been a Super GT staple since the late 1990s.

Motul Autech Nissan GT-R (Super GT Era)

The current Nissan factory entry, carrying the legendary Motul brand on an R35-based GT500.

Japanese vs European Standards

One of Super GT's characteristic features is its unique "Japanese" aesthetic compared to European GT racing. Differences include:

Driving Style

Super GT drivers are often more aggressive than European GT3/GTE drivers. Passing is more physical, defense is tighter, and contact is more common. This produces exciting racing but can frustrate international drivers used to European conventions.

Rain Driving

Japanese circuits have some of the wettest racing in the world (Fuji Speedway is particularly notorious). Super GT drivers develop exceptional rain driving skills. International drivers joining Japanese teams often struggle with rain performance initially.

Car Development Pace

Japanese manufacturers iterate faster than European competitors. A Super GT car can receive 3-5 major mechanical updates per season, where a European GT car might get 1-2. This makes Super GT an R&D proving ground for cutting-edge race technology.

Drivers Who Rose Through Super GT

Super GT has launched several international racing careers:

• Satoshi Motoyama — Japan's most successful Super GT driver
• Masahiro Hasemi — Legendary Nissan factory driver
• Kazuyoshi Hoshino — "Kazuyan" — JGTC champion and Top Gear Japan host
• Andre Lotterer — German driver who started at Super GT before becoming Le Mans winner and Formula E driver
• Benoit Treluyer — French driver who won Super GT championships before his Le Mans success
• Loic Duval — French driver who came to Japan and became Super GT champion before moving to F1 testing

International Influence

Super GT has influenced global racing in multiple ways:

Class 1 Regulations (with DTM)

The 2014 Class 1 unification between Super GT and DTM (Deutsche Tourenwagen Masters) created a technical framework for touring car racing that has influenced other series.

Driver Development

Many European and American drivers have spent time in Super GT developing their skills before moving to Le Mans, F1 testing, or other senior categories.

Manufacturer Involvement

Super GT remains a marketing priority for Japanese manufacturers, who use the series to showcase their engineering capabilities domestically and internationally.

Current State (2024-2026)

Super GT continues as Japan's top-tier touring car championship. Current participants include Nissan (Nismo + privateers), Toyota (Toyota Gazoo Racing), and Honda (Honda Racing Corporation + Mugen). Races are held at Fuji Speedway, Suzuka Circuit, Sugo International Raceway, Twin Ring Motegi, Okayama International Circuit, and occasionally Sepang in Malaysia.

TV coverage includes broadcasts on Japanese SKY PerfecTV, YouTube live streams (for English-speaking audiences), and magazine coverage in Best Motoring and Hot Version publications.

Conclusion

Super GT (and its predecessor JGTC) represents Japan's continuous commitment to motor racing at the highest domestic level. It has featured some of the most exotic race cars ever built, the most dedicated factory efforts, and a racing culture that's distinct from European GT or American IMSA. For Japanese motorsport fans, Super GT is the Sunday afternoon tradition — the racing series that proves Japan builds the best touring car race cars in the world and has done so continuously for over 30 years.