Motegi 400 Penultimate Showdown Set After Yeongnam Drama
With Shawn Goh and Jake Martinez’ Yeongnam heroics still fresh, Twin Ring Motegi’s Zako and Tsuyo races will lock in the season’s hierarchy—and welcome three debutantes into Hololive GT3.
ARO Japanese Racing Season, Adak-RMS Organization, Hololive GT3, Virtual
20 June 2025 at 1:24:57 am
Mohd Shazren Redza
Motegi, 20 June 2025 – After Shawn Goh’s imperious Aston Martin win in Saturday’s Zako and Jake Martinez’ Ford masterclass in the Tsuyo at Yeongnam, the 2024–25 Hololive GT3 Japan Series reaches its penultimate round this weekend at Twin Ring Motegi. Two 400 km races—Saturday’s Zako division and Sunday’s Tsuyo championship—both roar to life at 10 AM JST, with the top runners vying to secure their grid spots for Suzuka’s August finale.
In the Zako race on Saturday, Yukihara Touka is set to make her Hololive GT3 debut in Yukihana Lamy’s #63 Honda and leads the charge among the non‑Tsuyo runners. While the Zako grid also features seasoned campaigners like Ho Phu‑My in Tokino Sora’s #36 Nissan and Krzysztof Salmonman in AZKi’s #12 Honda, Touka will be the storyline to watch as she hunts her first series podium on Motegi’s technical infield.
Sunday’s Tsuyo race brings together the drivers locked into the championship shootout—including the newly promoted Hanami Kiriko, stepping into Himemori Luna’s #31 Honda after Misaki Sakura’s departure. Kiriko joins title leader Jake Martinez in Hiodoshi Ao’s #05 Ford, 18 points clear of Airi Nakamura in Akai Haato’s #81 Honda. Behind them, Danilo Goyena (#11 Usada Pekora Honda) and Daniel Barguer (#41 Hoshimachi Suisei Nissan) remain locked in a fierce battle for the final podium spots. Keep an eye on Lorenzo Ricci in Houshou Marine’s #6 Lexus and Maverick Deuxieme in Omaru Polka’s #46 Nissan, both eager to close the gap before Suzuka’s Finale 500 later in late August.
In addition, this will be Sammy Ake's first outing in the #22 Shirakami Fubuki Nissan after Zeke Wimberley's exit from the ARO.
Organizers have hinted at “positive news” regarding Hololive GT3’s future to be announced next week—with more info being withheld until that point. Until then, Motegi’s twin encounters—each starting at 10 AM JST—will determine which Zako contenders end their campaigns on a high and which Tsuyo stars carry momentum into the Suzuka finale. Stay tuned to SpeedVirtuals for live coverage, driver interviews, and all the drama from Twin Ring Motegi.