Absolute Racing Blends Style and Speed in Bronze Cup Bid at Suzuka 1000km

Porsche Motorsport Asia Pacific customer squad Absolute Racing will return to the legendary Suzuka 1000km on 12–14 September, entering two Porsche 911 GT3 R (Type 992) cars.

The Asian powerhouse is no stranger to success at Suzuka, having claimed back-to-back podium finishes with third place in the 2018 and 2019 editions, when the event ran under its 10-hour format. First staged in 1966, the Suzuka Summer Endurance Race is regarded as one of the world’s most iconic endurance races, and Absolute Racing will be aiming to help Porsche extend its record tally of 11 outright victories.

This year’s race, the 49th running of the Japanese classic, also forms the fourth and penultimate round of the 2025 Intercontinental GT Challenge Powered by Pirelli, where Porsche currently occupies second position in the manufacturers’ standings.

In the Pro class, Absolute Racing will field the star line-up of Kévin Estre, Laurens Vanthoor and Patrick Pilet, who will share driving duties in the striking yellow-and-black #7 Porsche 911 GT3 R. The livery draws inspiration from the legendary Porsche 956B that triumphed at the 1985 24 Hours of Le Mans.

The team will also enter a second car in the Bronze class. At the wheel of the #10 entry will be Antares Au, reigning 2024–2025 Asian Le Mans Series GT champion and Intercontinental GT Challenge Independent Cup winner. The Hong Kong driver will be joined by seasoned Porsche factory driver Richard Lietz from Austria, a six-time class winner at the 24 Hours of Le Mans, and rising talent Loek Hartog from the Netherlands, the 2024 Carrera Cup North America champion and Porsche Motorsport North America Selected Driver.

With its strong line-up across both classes, Absolute Racing is targeting another standout performance at Suzuka as it continues its campaign on the global GT stage. The #10 Absolute Racing Porsche 911 GT3 R will run a striking new livery, engineered to reflect the team's line up purposeful and high-performance ethos.

Official Practice for the Suzuka 1000km begins on Friday 12 September, ahead of Qualifying at 17:05 local time (UTC+9) on Saturday. Finally, the six-and-a-half-hour race will get underway at 12:50 on Sunday.

TEAM QUOTES

Antares Au (Absolute Racing Driver): "Suzuka 1000km is an historic race and I'm excited to be part of its return to IGTC. I raced at this legendary circuit in Porsche Carrera Cup Asia in 2019 and I'm excited to return in the Porsche 911 GT3 R. Together with Richard, Loek and Absolute Racing, we have a great team and look forward to being competitive in the Bronze class!"

Richard Lietz (Absolute Racing Driver):  "I'm delighted to be part of the team to take on Suzuka – it will be my first time at this iconic circuit. I'll prepare myself in the simulator and do my best to play my part for the squad. It will be a once-in-a-lifetime experience, and we'll give our all the achieve a strong result."

Loek Hartog (Absolute Racing Driver): "Racing in Japan has always been a childhood dream, and to now line up for the legendary Suzuka 1000km is incredibly special. I've followed this event for years, and it's surreal to now be a part of it, especially alongside Antares and Richard, whose experience speaks for itself. It's my first time working with Absolute Racing as well, and I'm excited to work with a team with such a strong reputation. We're here to give it everything and go for the class win."

Fabien Fior (Absolute Racing Team Principal): "We are delighted to return to Asia's premier GT3 endurance race with Porsche. We have two excellent line-ups, each with ambitious goals. Competing with a trio of world-class drivers, in collaboration with Porsche Motorsport Asia Pacific and under an iconic Porsche customer racing livery, gives the team tremendous motivation. At the same time, we will field one of the most ambitious Pro-Am line-ups, featuring the reigning Independent Cup winner from the Intercontinental GT Challenge. Suzuka holds special memories for Absolute Racing, and we are fully committed to building on our past successes and delivering a strong performance once again."