GT World Challenge Asia Powered by AWS returns this weekend at Okayama International Circuit, as Porsche Motorsport Asia Pacific’s customers look to continue their strong form in the series. Meanwhile, SRO Japan Cup is also in action at the same venue, as the series tackles Round 3.

GT World Challenge Asia

Porsche entries have taken victory in four of the six races to date, and sit as the top three in the Drivers’ standings as the championship enters the second half of its 2026 season in Japan. Porsche Motorsport Asia Pacific Selected Driver Enzo Trulli will make his series debut at Okayama, joining Malaysia racer Adrian D’Silva in the #61 EBM car, competing in the Silver-Am category.

The pair have previously raced together earlier this year at the 24H DUBAI and 6H ABU DHABI. Huang Ruohan and Alessandro Ghiretti have enjoyed a superb season together in the #911 Absolute Racing machine, standing on the podium three times, including a victory at Sepang.

These results see them leading the championship at the halfway stage, leading Origine Motorsport’s Lu Wei by four points. The Chinese driver has secured two win this year, including last time out at Fuji Speedway with Laurin Heinrich, who joins him once again in the #11 Porsche 911 GT3 R. Anthony Liu sits third in the standings, eight points off the lead, having taken victory at Mandalika and two further second-place finishes this season.

This weekend, he is joined by Ayhancan Güven, with the 2025 Deutsche Tourenwagen Masters (DTM) champion set to make his GT World Challenge Asia debut. In the Pro-Am category, Kazuki Ota steps into the #918 Absolute Racing car for his first appearance of the year, teaming up with the experienced Klaus Bachler. Hiroaki Nagai and Kazuto Kotaka again team up in the #18 Porsche Center Okazaki machine, looking to build on a solid finish last time out.

In the second Porsche Center Okazaki entry, Kiyoshi Uchiyama and Tsubasa Kondo have enjoyed a strong year to date in the Silver-Am category, taking five podiums including a victory, and currently sit just one point off the class lead. Three Porsche entries take on the weekend in the Am category, with championship leaders Liu Hangcheng and Wang Zhongwei looking to add to their three victories so far for Origine Motorsport.

Andrew Macpherson and Ben Porter have shown strong pace so far in 2026 and will aim to return to the podium for AMAC Motorsport, while Aaron Lim Say Joon and Haziq Zairel Oh return for their second event of the season in the #20 HZO Fortis Racing by Absolute Racing entry.

Okayama International Circuit is one of the most well-known motorsport venues in Japan, having twice held Formula 1 Grands Prix in the 1990s while under its previous name of TI Circuit Aida. The 3.7-kilometre track tests all aspects of driver and car, with fast corners in the first half of the lap leading into a more technical finish.

Overtaking is most likely at the end of the two longest straights, on the run down to heavy braking zones at Turns 1 and 5. Official Practice begins at 12:20 local time (UTC+8) on Friday, while qualifying is from 09:00 the following morning. Race 1 gets underway later on Saturday at 13:00, before Race 2 starts at 10:00 on Sunday.

Enzo Trulli, EBM: “I’m so excited to make by GT World Challenge Asia debut this weekend with EBM and Adrian. We had a great time together in Abu Dhabi and Dubai, and I’m looking forward to working with the team again. It’s going to be an amazing feeling to return to Okayama for the first time in three years, this time in a GT3 car. I’ll have a lot to learn but I can’t wait for the challenge ahead.”

Lu Wei, Origine Motorsport: “I’m delighted to be joined by Laurin again, we had a great event at Fuji last time out. Every race is important, but heading into the second half of the season, we want to show what we are capable of and put ourselves in a strong position in the championship battle.

Laurin Heinrich, Origine Motorsport: “After a successful opening weekend in Fuji, with a win and a podium, I’m looking forward to being back racing in Japan. I’ve never been to Okayama, but I’m motivated for the event and aiming to help Wei out in the championship fight. We’re in a good position heading into the second half of the season, and this is a really important event for maintaining momentum. Origine Motorsport has good history at this venue and I’m excited to get my first taste of the circuit.”

Liu Hangcheng, Origine Motorsport: “It’s been a strong season for us so far, but the Am class is very closely contested, so we need to stay on top of our game. Okayama is an interesting circuit, we’ll be looking to hit the ground running and qualify well to give ourselves the best chance possible of extending our championship lead.”

Wang Zhongwei, Origine Motorsport: “I’m looking forward to getting back on track in GT World Challenge Asia after a long break. We’ve been performing well as a team so far, and now heading into the second half of the season, we’re aiming to maintain this level.”

Alessandro Ghiretti, Absolute Racing: “I’m really happy to be back competing in GT World Challenge Asia. I’ve been looking forward to this event, it will be my first time at Okayama, so I know it’s going to be a challenge, especially as many of the other drivers know this circuit well. I’m ready to give it my all and I’m sure Ron can offer me a few tips, so I’m excited to get out there and begin racing.”

Ron Huang, Absolute Racing: “The second half of the season gets underway this weekend at Okayama, and Alessandro and I will be looking to bounce back after a disappointing event at Fuji. We’re determined to re discover our pace from the opening two rounds. It’s going to be a tough fight this weekend, there’s some great drivers in rival cars, so we will have to be up for the battle and hopefully we can achieve what we set out to do.”

Kazuki Ota, Absolute Racing: “I’m honoured to join Absolute Racing as a one-off entry, teaming up with Klaus. It’s a great opportunity for me to learn as much as possible and I’m looking forward to making the most of the weekend.”

Klaus Bachler, Absolute Racing: "I'm excited to be back with Absolute Racing for the next round in Okayama in the #918. I enjoy racing in Asia, and I've always loved going to Japan. Okayama is a new track for me, and I can't wait to get my first laps in on Thursday. It will also be the first time I share the car with Kazuki Ota, so it's important that we work well together as a team and get up to speed as quickly as possible.”

Aaron Lim, HZO Fortis Racing by Absolute Racing: “I’m very happy to be back in the car and I’m looking forward to learning a new circuit and gaining more experience in the car. Can’t wait to get the weekend started!"

Haziq Oh, HZO Fortis Racing by Absolute Racing: "Following the Fuji round, I’m heading to Okayama with renewed confidence and determination. Fuji gave us valuable experience and highlighted areas where I can continue to improve, and I’m looking forward to putting those lessons into practice at Okayama International Circuit. The goal remains clear - to keep progressing, get the maximum out of every session and fight for another strong result in GT World Challenge Asia.”

Ayhancan Güven, Phantom Global Racing: “Okayama will be my first GT World Challenge Asia race and my first with Phantom Global Racing, so I’m thankful to the team for this opportunity. It’s set to be two very important races for Anthony’s championship ambitions, so we will try to maximise what we have and put him in the best position possible ahead of the final two rounds.”

Andrew Macpherson, AMAC Motorsports: “This will be our first visit to Okayama in the new Porsche 911 GT3 R. Despite taking some time to find our feet with the new machinery, we are now on top of it and showed glimpses of speed in Mandalika before big improvements in Fuji, but other misfortune prevented a result. We are looking forward to returning to Okayama this weekend and showing our full potential.”

Kiyoshi Uchiyama, Porsche Center Okazaki: “Okayama is a circuit where we have good potential. After last year’s disappointing result, I’ll work closely with Tsubasa and the team to achieve a strong result.” Tsubasa Kondo, Porsche Center Okazaki: “I’ve always enjoyed racing at Okayama. We’ll prepare thoroughly from practice and aim for a strong race.”

Hiroaki Nagai, Porsche Center Okazaki: “Okayama is a crucial round for us. We’ll aim to turn all our preparation into a strong performance and fight all the way to the end to finish as high as possible!”

Kazuto Kotaka, Porsche Center Okazaki: “I’m very familiar with Okayama, so I’ll use that experience to contribute to the team. Together with Nagai, we’ll give it everything we’ve got and fight for a podium finish!”

SRO Japan Cup

Two Porsche entries will take on Round 3 of the 2026 SRO Japan Cup, also taking place at Okayama. Shinji Takei and Ukyo Sasahara clinched victory last time out for Bingo Racing to put themselves in championship contention, currently sitting 10 points off the lead in the GT3 category at the halfway stage of the season.

Meanwhile, in the GT4 class Zenko RS Garage with Sunrise BLVD pair Yoshimoto Makino and Takeshi Suehiro have enjoyed an excellent season, taking three wins out of four and sitting top of the standings.

Yoshitomi Makino, Zenko RS Garage with Sunrise BLVD: “Although I have limited experience at Okayama, Takeshi knows the circuit well, so we will work together closely this weekend to fight for the win.”

Takeshi Suehiro, Zenko RS Garage with Sunrise BLVD: “Okayama is my home track, so I’m looking forward to being back there to race. We’ve had a good season so far, so we’ll stick to what we’re doing and aim for two more wins.”

Alexandre Gibot, Managing Director Porsche Motorsport Asia Pacific Ltd.: “Following the summer break, we’re very glad that the second half of the GT World Challenge Asia campaign kicks off this weekend. Our customers have driven superbly this year and have converted their performances into some fantastic results, including four victories, so we’re looking forward to the championship’s return. There’s still six races to come, so this weekend will be a really important one as we kick off the remainder of the 2026 season. We’re looking forward to seeing Enzo make his debut in the series, he’s shown great pace in his programmes this year across GT and prototypes so far this year and we are certain he will be one to watch in such a competitive field.”