Honda Racing introduced its latest contender, the CIVIC TYPE R-GT, for the 2024 Super GT500 series. Despite facing regulatory changes and challenging weather conditions, the new model showcased impressive performance throughout the season. Initially, the development process was rushed due to a revised ride height requirement, but the CIVIC TYPE R-GT managed to secure multiple podium finishes and even achieved a 1-2-3 sweep in qualifying. The second half of the season saw mixed results with rain disruptions affecting several rounds. Nevertheless, the #100 STANLEY CIVIC TYPE R-GT finished second overall, marking a successful debut year for the new car.

Triumphant Beginnings Amidst Challenges

The introduction of the CIVIC TYPE R-GT into the Super GT500 class was met with immediate challenges. The team had to adapt quickly to new regulations that required a lower ride height, leading to last-minute adjustments before the season opener. Despite these hurdles, the vehicle demonstrated its potential early on. In the first three rounds, three different CIVIC TYPE R-GT cars secured third-place finishes consecutively. The highlight came in the fourth round when the ARTA MUGEN CIVIC TYPE R-GT clinched the first victory for the new model. This win was preceded by an impressive 1-2-3 sweep during the qualifying session, setting high expectations for the remainder of the season.

Further details revealed that the #100 STANLEY CIVIC TYPE R-GT, driven by Naoki Yamamoto and Tadasuke Makino, emerged as the top performer among the Honda entries. By the end of the fourth round, this duo sat second in the overall standings with 37 points, while another team, Tomoki Nojiri and Nobuharu Matsushita in the #8 ARTA MUGEN CIVIC TYPE R-GT, followed closely in sixth place with 26 points. These early successes underscored the competitive edge of the new model and set the stage for what promised to be an exciting season ahead.

Navigating Adversity in the Second Half

The latter half of the season brought significant challenges, particularly due to unpredictable weather conditions. The fifth round at Suzuka Circuit faced delays due to Typhoon Shanshan, pushing it to December as the season finale. The sixth round at Sportsland SUGO saw heavy rainfall disrupt practice sessions and cancel qualifying, leading to grid positions being determined by best practice times. Unfortunately, this resulted in less favorable starting positions for the CIVIC TYPE R-GT teams. Despite these setbacks, the #100 car managed to finish fifth, highlighting resilience under adverse circumstances.

The seventh round at Autopolis continued the trend of wet conditions, further complicating race strategies. The #17 Astemo CIVIC TYPE R-GT initially secured fourth on the grid but encountered issues during the race, ultimately retiring prematurely after contact with another car. Meanwhile, the #100 car struggled with excessive Success Weight, which hindered its ability to maintain position and led to a fourth-place finish. However, the eighth round at Mobility Resort Motegi provided a silver lining as the CIVIC TYPE R-GT dominated the front row in qualifying, despite rainy conditions. The #64 Modulo CIVIC TYPE R-GT captured pole position, followed by the #8 car. Although the #64 car eventually slipped back, the #8 car finished second, preserving hopes for the championship until the final race.

In the ultimate showdown at Suzuka, the #100 car aimed for a title-winning performance but fell short due to a gap in qualifying points. Despite this, the CIVIC TYPE R-GT teams concluded the season strongly, with three cars finishing in the top five. Overall, the #100 car finished second in the championship, showcasing the immense potential of the new model and setting the stage for further improvements in the upcoming season.