Intercontinental GT Challenge – Suzuka 1000km, Japan
A near-flawless performance from Pro drivers Nicky Catsburg, Scott McLaughlin and Alexander Sims has seen the Johor Motorsports Racing Team charge to a hard-fought thirdoverall at the iconic Suzuka 1000 endurance race.
At the same event, His Highness Tunku Abdul Rahman Al-Haj Ibni Sultan Ibrahim, Tunku Panglima of Johor (HH Prince Jefri Ibrahim), HH Tunku Abu Bakar Al-Haj Ibni SultanIbrahim, Tunku Putera of Johor (HH Prince Abu Bakar Ibrahim) and Finnish driver Konsta Lappalainen had a consistent showing to finish third in the Pro-Am class.
Photo Credit : JMR
Three-time Australian Supercars champion and IndyCar Series racer McLaughlin started the gruelling six-and-a-half-hour race from ninth spot on the grid. A clean, mature performance from the New Zealander saw him move the #2 Chevrolet Corvette Z06 GT3.R up to P6 before handing the car to Sims.
After a smooth, composed stint that maintained their road position, the Englishman swapped out for Dutchman Nicky Catsburg to bring the Corvette home. Catsburg proved his pedigree as a world-class racer during his long stint in the driver’s seat, making smart passes and working his way up to P3 before coming under immense pressurefrom behind in the dying stages of the race.
Despite the hounding, Catsburg held his nerve to cross the line just 0.26s ahead of the fourth-placed car, ensuring JMR secured a hard-fought podium result. Meanwhile, in the Pro-Am class, a calculated, smooth race from HH Prince Jefri Ibrahim, HH Prince Abu Bakar and Konsta Lappalainen saw them claim a well-deserved P3 result.
Prince Jefri Ibrahim began the race with a clean start in the #99 Chevrolet Corvette Z06 GT3.R, and some smart pit-stops strategies and steady driving from both himself and his brother, Prince Abu Bakar, put Lappalainen in a great position to finish strongly.
The Finn put in a long final session as darkness descended, bringing JMR’s Pro-Am entry home in 20th overall and third in class.
Press Release : 15 September 2025 / JMR
Photo Credit :- (Johor Motorsports Racing Team / JMR)
Results – 2025 GT World Challenge Asia, Okayama International Circuit
Qualifying:
Car #2 (Nicky Catsburg/Scott McLaughlin/Alexander Sims) – P9 overall, P6 in class
Car #99 (HH Prince Jefri Ibrahim/HH Prince Abu Bakar Ibrahim/Konsta Lappalainen) – P27
overall, P4 in class
Race:
Car #2 (Nicky Catsburg/Scott McLaughlin/Alexander Sims) – P3 overall, P3 in class
Car #99 (HH Prince Jefri Ibrahim/HH Prince Abu Bakar Ibrahim/Konsta Lappalainen) – P20
overall, P3 in class
-ENDS-
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