In a dramatic shift that signals a new era for the team, Shade Racing has officially announced its transition to the Lexus RC F GT3 for the upcoming SUPER GT season. This decision comes on the heels of a disheartening 2025 campaign with the Toyota GR86 GT, where the team struggled to secure any drivers’ points, ultimately finishing 16th in the first Fuji sprint race and experiencing a series of setbacks that left them sidelined for a significant portion of the season.
The GT300 team, nestled just outside the iconic Fuji Speedway, faced a barrage of misfortunes last year, including not one but two devastating fires that struck their No. 20 GR86. These catastrophic incidents forced them to withdraw from crucial races at Sepang and Suzuka, and a heavy crash during the Sugo round led to further complications, sidelining them for the subsequent race at Autopolis. After a season marred by such challenges, the team’s return to competition at the final round in Motegi was a bittersweet reminder of the hurdles they had to overcome.
Now, as they gear up for the 2026 season, Shade Racing is looking to the future with renewed hope and determination. With veteran drivers Katsuyuki Hiranaka and Eijiro Shimizu remaining at the helm, along with Michelin continuing as their tire supplier, the team is poised for a comeback. Hiranaka candidly reflected on the previous season’s hardships, stating, “Last season, we fell victim to many accidents and we faced many extremely difficult races. It’s disappointing we didn’t achieve the results we hoped for, but we’ll use this experience to come back even stronger in 2026.”
This transition to the RC F GT3 not only signifies a fresh start for Shade Racing but also indicates an exciting dynamic within the SUPER GT grid. The beloved RC F GT3 will be joined by K-tunes Racing, which is maintaining its consistent driver lineup of Morio Nitta and Shinichi Takagi. However, in a twist of fate, Anest Iwata Racing is reportedly contemplating a switch to a new vehicle after three seasons of lackluster performances with the RC F GT3. The speculation suggests that Anest, which recently formed a partnership with Gainer, may introduce a second Nissan Z to their roster, aiming to revitalize their competitive edge in the series.
With these developments, the upcoming season promises to be a thrilling chapter in SUPER GT history, as teams like Shade Racing and K-tunes Racing gear up to battle for supremacy while others reconsider their strategies in the face of fierce competition. The anticipation is palpable as fans await the opening round, where each team’s preparation and resilience will be put to the ultimate test.
