Nurburgring 24hr, Spa 24hr and of course the one which started it all, 24hrs of Le Mans.
It is this ciruit that hosts Japan's longest race.
Like the 24hrs or Le Mans the Fuji 24hr despite ebing part of the annual Japanese endurance racing series the Super Taikyu Series. It is also a stand alone race which teams can choose to race as a standalone race.
With various events, camp zones, There is fun for the whole family!
2025 was particularly magical with rolling fog adding to the atmosphere.
You can stay stay the night or come for the day. It is is entirely up to you. I will be definately be staying the night in 2026.
Endurance racing is ultimate test for man and machine. A place for manufacturers to develop and test their metal. A place for drivers imortalise themselves.
Seven years ago Japan joined the league of auto nations with the Fuji 24hrs as a permanent fixture in their calendar beginning in 2018.
Japan is not new to the 24hr race format with the previous Tokachi 24hr race held at Tokachi international Speedway in Hokkaido from 1994-2008. Not to mention a few 24hr events held at Fuji in the late 60s.
Both Fuji 24hr and Tokachi 24hr were part of the Japan's endurance series, Super Taikyu Endurance Series.
Avid 90s Japanese sports car fans will have heard of the later. Perhaps even seen grainy videos or imported VHS/DVDs of some these races featuring cars such as the Nissan Skyline GTR, Honda NSX and Toyota Supra going head to head against Porsches and BMWs.
Preceeding a hiatus a 24hr race returned to the Super Taikyu Series calendar in 2018 at Fuji Speedway.
As a newer race compared to the other 24hr brethren around the world the spectator experience is a relaxed one with a mostly Japanese spectator mix. Much like the Nurburgring 24hr used to be back in the day.
nestled in the foothills of Mt. Fuji, there is something magic about this place in the same light as the Nurburgring of Germany.
It is this ciruit that hosts Japan's longest race.
Like the 24hrs or Le Mans the Fuji 24hr despite ebing part of the annual Japanese endurance racing series the Super Taikyu Series. It is also a stand alone race which teams can choose to race as a standalone race.
Super Taikyu series consists of 9 classes.
1. ST-X - The highest class consisting GT3 class Machines.
2. ST-Z - The next class down consisting of GT4 class Machines.
3. ST-TCR - TCR class machines ie RS3 and Civic Type R TCR.
4. ST-Q - A class for experimental racing machines such as Toyota's H2 combustion engine machines and other bio/alternative fueled machines.
5. ST-1 - Cup car machine class such as Porsche 911 Cup cars, KTM XBow GT-X etc.
6. ST-2 - 2,400 cc - 3,500 cc production based 4WD and front-wheel drive machines (Toyota GR Yaris, Mitsubishi Evo X, Subaru WRX STi, Honda Civic Type R FL5/FK8)
7. ST-3 - 2,400 cc - 3,500 cc production based rear-wheel drive machines (Nissan Z34, Lexus RC350)
8. ST-4 - 1,500 cc - 2,500 cc production based machines ( Subaru/Toyota BR-Z)
9. ST-5 - 1,500 cc or below (Mazda 2, Mazda MX-5, Toyota Vitz, Honda Fit RS)
With such a large production based field this race serves for many manufacturers a test field for their new and upcoming vehicle technologies.
With various events, camp zones, There is fun for the whole family!
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