Absolute Racing returns to Suzuka 1000km with a retro livery.

Absolute Racing's Suzuka 1000km Tribute to Porsche's 40 Years of Le Mans Success...

To celebrate the 40th anniversary of Porsche's iconic victory at the 24 Hours of Le Mans, Porsche Asia Pacific Motorsport customer team Absolute Racing will compete in the revived Suzuka 1000km from September 12th to 14th with a specially liveried Porsche 911 GT3 R (Type 992). The No. 7 Porsche car features a star-studded lineup: Laurens Vanthoor, Kévin Estre, and Patrick Pilet.

With the Intercontinental GT Challenge returning to Japan after a five-year absence, Absolute Racing will also return to the Suzuka Summer Endurance Race. The team previously finished third in the 10-hour race in 2018 and 2019.

This is Absolute Racing's third appearance in Japan's top GT3 endurance race. All three official Porsche drivers have previously worked with the team. Vanthoor won both the Daytona 24 Hours and Sebring 12 Hours this year and will make his team debut at the 2024 Macau FIA GT World Cup. Estre made his debut with the team at the 2019 Macau FIA GT World Cup. Pilet is a key member of Absolute Racing's GT World Challenge Asia Series this season, driving the No. 911 Porsche as a regular driver.

The three official drivers will drive the No. 7 Porsche 911 GT3 R, which features a classic yellow and black livery that pays homage to the Porsche 956 that won Le Mans in 1985. This special design commemorates the 40th anniversary of a Porsche customer team's first overall victory at the 24 Hours of Le Mans – a milestone in the brand's endurance racing history.

Porsche also has a successful track record at the Suzuka Circuit, winning the Suzuka 1000km race 11 times between 1967 and 1994.

Team and Driver Pre-Race Comments

Fabien Fior (Team Director): "Our entire team is incredibly excited to be returning to Asia's premier GT3 endurance race. Not only do we have the support of Porsche Motorsport Asia Pacific, but we'll also be working with three world-class drivers and wearing the iconic Porsche customer racing livery. Our motivation is ignited. Of course, this also means a greater responsibility. Suzuka has always been a special place for Absolute Racing, and we'll do our best to build on our previous strong results."

Alexandre Gibot (Managing Director, Porsche Motorsport Asia Pacific): "Absolute Racing has been a long-time partner of ours, and we're thrilled to be back with them at the Suzuka 1000km. They've achieved strong results here before, and this time, with Laurens, Kévin, and Patrick, they'll be incredibly competitive. We know this team will be very professional and competitive in every race. I can't wait to see the yellow and black car on track, and I'll be keeping an eye on their performance."

Laurens Vanthoor (Absolute Racing driver) "I'm really looking forward to this race. Japan, and Suzuka in particular, is always a highly anticipated event; it's a very special race. We also have a special livery, which will make it even more exciting. Suzuka is a legendary circuit, and with Kevin and Patrick alongside me, I feel we have everything we need to achieve a good result. It's going to be an exciting journey, and I hope we can get a good result."

Kévin Estre (Absolute Racing Driver): "The Suzuka 1000km has always been a race I've wanted to participate in. I've run here once before, on a fantastic track, but my time wasn't ideal, so I'm hoping to improve this time. With Patrick, Laurens, and the Absolute Racing team, I'm confident we can achieve something special, although the competition will be fierce. I'm also looking forward to driving this special livery and adding another piece of Porsche history."

Patrick Pilet (Absolute Racing Driver) "This is my first time competing in the Suzuka 1000km, and I'm really excited. I love this track and have so many great memories here. Teaming up with Laurens and Kevin is a perfect combination; we work really well together. Last time, we didn't do so well, and this time we want revenge. Our goal is clear: win this race. Absolute Racing has a strong team, excellent engineers, and the support of every member. I believe we have a great chance of achieving a good result."

IGTC Intercontinental GT Challenge

Suzuka, Japan Preliminary Schedule (Beijing Time)

September 12 (Friday)

08:40 - 09:40: Paid Test 1

11:00 - 12:00: Paid Test 2

16:45 - 18:15: Night Practice

September 13 (Saturday)

09:45 - 11:15: Preliminary Qualifying

16:05 - 16:20: Qualifying 1 4:27 PM - 4:42 PM: Qualifying 2
4:50 PM - 5:05 PM: Qualifying 3

September 14 (Sunday)
11:50 AM - 6:20 PM: Suzuka 1000km Race

END