Super Taikyu Series Round 3 is the Fuji 24 Hours. Currently Japan's only 24-hour race, this annual festival of motorsports draws racers, fans, as well as like-minded peers from many fields. We caught up with them on race day.
Back to where it all began
The Super Taikyu Series is a grassroots, inclusive form of racing open to a wide range of participants.
This season’s third round, the Fuji 24 Hours, was held over three days from May 30 to June 1. At the event, the Super Taikyu MIRAI Organization (STMO) unveiled the new Super Taikyu Challenge category to further expand the ranks of competitors.
During the press conference, STMO Vice Chairperson Harumi Kuwayama explained the purpose of establishing this new category.
STMO Vice Chairperson Harumi Kuwayama
As you are aware, motorsport is no exception when it comes to the aging of participants.
I feel that we currently face a major challenge in figuring out how to bring the next generation to this fascinating world.
Motorsports have the ability to captivate all kinds of people. At the same time the truth is that, while many are keen to try, they feel the barriers to entry are too high.
Alongside the expense, there are the technical and logistical difficulties that come with using cars as equipment. It’s also hard to know where to begin. This is the kind of feedback we have received.
Despite these hurdles, we feel there are many people around the country who dream of racing and taking part in an endurance race, even just once.
For that reason, we have committed to creating a new stage that still offers a taste of the genuine thrill and excitement of racing while keeping the costs as low as possible.
The Super Taikyu Challenge will serve as our “junior” category, as it were, for those who want to be part of the Super Taikyu Series.
The other key factor behind this decision is that, in recent years, the series has greatly levelled up in terms of driver skills and team setups.
While this in itself is a wonderful development, it also raises the psychological and practical hurdles for those wanting to take on the challenge.
We have therefore decided to return to Super Taikyu’s starting point as a gateway, where anyone can take the first step. That’s where the Super Taikyu Challenge fits in.
Drivers need to enter in pairs, with each requiring a domestic Class A license, while pit crews are limited to three members. Vehicles must conform to Japan Automobile Federation (JAF) N0* regulations, and be fitted with a roll cage, bucket seats, and four-point seat belts.
*N0: A JAF classification for domestic racing/competition vehicles. Using production cars as the base, this class places the most extensive restrictions on vehicle modifications.
Races will be run in a 60-minute mini-endurance format and include a mandatory driver change.
The first event, planned as a beginner-friendly race for all skill levels, is scheduled for the Super Taikyu season finale (Round 7, Fuji) on November 15, and STMO is considering expanding the class in 2026.