Okayama SUPER GT – schedule, how to watch, entry list

A total of 42 cars, 15 in GT500 and 27 in GT300, are slated to do battle in Sunday’s 300km opener, the first of eight races on the 2023 SUPER GT schedule.

While there may be an aero freeze in the top GT500 class ahead of the introduction of all-new machines, the development war between the ‘big three’ manufacturers remains as intense as ever, with new aero pieces appearing on both the Honda NSX-GT and Toyota GR Supra in pre-season testing.

Meanwhile, the introduction of carbon-neutral fuel (currently limited to the GT500 class only) promises to add another variable into the mix to shake up the order.

After winning its first GT500 title since 2015 last season, Nissan goes into 2023 defending the title, with the Team Impul Z of Bertrand Baguette and Kazuki Hiramine carrying the coveted number one plate.

Nissan has made no changes to its four-car GT500 driver line-up for this season, but Honda and Toyota have both made some significant alterations as they try and win back the crown.

At Honda, a second car for ARTA as part of a tie-up with dominant Super Formula team Mugen has been one of the big hot topics of the off-season, with Tomoki Nojiri and Toshiki Oyu sure to be one of the combinations to watch in their first race together in the #8 NSX-GT at Okayama.

 

Kakunoshin Ota will also be hoping to make a splash on his GT500 debut at Nakajima Racing after an impressive rookie season in GT300 last year.

Meanwhile, at Toyota, Honda convert Ukyo Sasahara will make his debut at the wheel of a GR Supra alongside Giuliano Alesi in the #37 TOM’S car, but it’s Sho Tsuboi and Ritomo Miyata in the sister #36 machine that looks like the manufacturer’s biggest threat at the moment.

In the GT300 class, a wide of variety of machines are set to do battle as ever in one of worldwide motorsport’s most diverse category.

One car to watch out for in particular will be the all-new Lexus LC500h campaign by apr, replacing the fan favourite Toyota Prius this year, while DTM champion Bruno Spengler will be making his debut for BMW Team Studie.

SUPER GT time schedule for Okayama, Round 1

Times are Local/UK time (GMT+1)/EDT/PDT 

Saturday April 15

Free practice (1h45 minutes) – 9.10am/1.10am/8.10pm (Friday)/5.10pm (Friday)

Qualifying – 2pm/6am/1am/10pm (Friday)

Sunday April 16

Warm-up – 12pm/4am/11pm (Saturday)/8pm (Saturday)

Race (82 laps) – 1.30pm/5.30am/12.30am/9.30pm (Saturday)

Don’t see your timezone listed? Check out our SUPER GT schedule page to see the session times in your local timezone

How can I watch SUPER GT at Okayama?

Motorsport.tv will once again be offering full coverage of both qualifying and the race for every round of the 2022 SUPER GT season (subscription required and some geo-restrictions apply).

Commentary will be provided by Jake Sanson and Motorsport.com’s own expert Japanese racing analyst Jamie Klein.

Click here for further information, and to get your subscription now

SUPER GT entry list for Okayama, Round 1

GT500 class: