Penske IndyCar driver Scott McLaughlin is set to fulfill a personal milestone by competing in the Suzuka 1000Km race this September. The New Zealander will pilot a Chevrolet Corvette Z06 GT3.R for Malaysian Johore Motorsports Racing (JMR) in the Intercontinental GT Challenge’s Suzuka round on September 14, marking a significant step in his racing career.
Joining Forces with Chevrolet Factory Drivers and JMR Team
McLaughlin will share the JMR Pro class Corvette alongside factory drivers Alexander Sims and Nicky Catsburg, whom he affectionately calls his “General Motors friends” and describes as “two amazing Corvette racers.” This collaboration brings together experienced drivers with strong Chevrolet ties aiming for success at this historic Japanese endurance race.
On his participation, McLaughlin said,
“I’m really grateful for the opportunity to be a part of the JMR team heading to Suzuka for the 1000Km,”
—Scott McLaughlin, Penske IndyCar Driver
“I’ve always wanted to race Suzuka, and it’s a bucket list track for me.”
—Scott McLaughlin, Penske IndyCar Driver
Background and Previous Corvette Experience
This event will mark McLaughlin’s second outing behind the wheel of a Corvette Z06 GT3.R, having debuted the car at the Daytona 24 Hours in January. At Daytona, he drove a Pratt & Miller-developed Corvette fielded by Trackhouse Racing and run by TF Sport in the IMSA SportsCar Championship. Alongside his IndyCar commitments with the Chevrolet-powered Dallara DW12, McLaughlin has maintained a robust profile in endurance and sportscar racing.
McLaughlin’s Endurance Racing Achievements
Since transitioning from the Australian V8 Supercars Series to IndyCar at the end of 2020, McLaughlin has accumulated notable endurance racing accolades. These include winning in the LMP2 class and finishing third overall at the 2023 Sebring 12 Hours with Tower Motorsports driving an ORECA-Gibson 07. He also earned a victory at the 2016 Bathurst 12 Hours with a Porsche 911 GT3 Cup, demonstrating his versatility across different sportscar platforms.
JMR’s Full Lineup and Suzuka’s Endurance Heritage
JMR, a familiar competitor in the GT World Challenge Asia, will enter two Corvettes at Suzuka. Apart from the pro-class entry featuring McLaughlin, Sims, and Catsburg, the team will run a Pro-Am entry for Malaysian princes Jefri Ibrahim and Abu Bakar Ibrahim, who will share driving duties with Finnish GT specialist Konsta Lappalainen. This diverse lineup highlights JMR’s regional connections and commitment to strong competition.
This year’s Suzuka race represents the Intercontinental GT Challenge’s return to the venue after a hiatus since 2019 caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. Unlike the last two editions held as 10-hour races, the event will revert to its original format as a 1000-kilometer endurance race, dating back to 1966. Organizers have extended the maximum race duration from six to six and a half hours to ensure completion of the distance, with a total of 30 cars entered for the event.
Additional Highlights and Notable Entries at Suzuka
A special highlight includes the Chinese Phantom Global Racing Porsche entering the race with the iconic ‘pink pig’ livery, a tribute to the 1971 Le Mans 24 Hours 917/20 car. This Porsche 911 GT3-R will be driven by factory drivers Klaus Bachler and Patric Niederhauser, along with Porsche Motorsport Asia Pacific’s Dorian Boccolacci, seamlessly blending heritage with modern competition.
Implications and Outlook for McLaughlin and Suzuka 1000Km
Scott McLaughlin’s participation in the Suzuka 1000Km race further broadens his racing portfolio, bridging the gap between IndyCar and top-level endurance competition. His involvement with JMR and established Corvette factory drivers strengthens his prospects in a challenging event known for its demanding circuit and rich history.
The return of the Suzuka round to the Intercontinental GT Challenge calendar signals a resurgence of endurance racing traditions disrupted by the pandemic, attracting a competitive field and renewed global attention. For McLaughlin, competing at Suzuka fulfills a personal ambition while also positioning him for greater opportunities in international GT racing arenas.
