Sepang 500 Races Ignite Final Stage of Hololive GT3 Japan Series

Sepang – 14 April – The tropical heat of Sepang International Circuit will be the crucible for Round 5 of the 2024‑25 Hololive GT3 Japan Series this weekend, as the Zako Series roars to life on Saturday at 09:00 local time, followed by Sunday’s high‑stakes Tsuyo Series finale at the same hour. After Khawaja Masoor has been reported as mentally unwell to race, Ozne Wizard has been announced to race for Inugami Korone as a short term driver. The ARO will make further announcements in due course.

This weekend carries extra significance: with the Zako Series featuring Kizuhara Leo’s swansong behind the wheel of Murasaki Shion’s #8 Honda NSX GT3, closing the chapter on one of Hololive GT3’s most enduring partnerships that started way back in 2022. As Leo takes the track for her final active outing in the series, both series’ grids are stacked with drivers hungry for glory—and for points in what may be the last Japan Series season in the foreseeable future. Fresh from a forgettable qualifier from Australian Michael Turner for Shirogane Noel, with a whimper throughout, returning Lexi Boan's adaptability and late‑race pace make her a danger in the tighter Zako field. Meanwhile, Rey Mark Rosales brings a fearless style and as Flare’s loyal “Elfriend” fanbase into the weekend, promising fireworks in the midfield battles. While the Miofa's Jake Goodwin and the 35P's Isekaijin Mikolev also missed the Tsuyo cut by margins, no driver was closer to make the Tsuyo and not make it than Tokino Sora's Ho Phu-My. The 2022 champion with his renumbered #36 Nissan GT-R will at least bring something back to the Soratomo as he aims to use a strong Nissan to get back to the top. Sunday’s Tsuyo Series race carries the ultimate prize: the 2024–25 Japan Series championship in addition to the Tsuyo Series title. Leading the charge is Jace Kinsai in Takane Lui’s #61 Nissan who replaced Tamoyuki Aoki who won at Fuji, whose relentless consistency and qualifying mastery have built a commanding points lead. Whether Kinsai can replicate this is uncertain. Challenging him will be Airi Nakamura, fresh off her triumph at Autpolis, whose precision in Akai Haato’s #81 Honda NSX is tailor‑made for Sepang’s blend of corner speed and long straights. Rounding out the favorites is Lorenzo Ricci in Houshou Marine’s #6 Lexus, whose recent strategic gambles and pace under pressure, especially at Okayama last year make him a genuine threat to unseat the championship favorite. As Kizuhara Leo takes her final grid spot on Saturday, all eyes will be on a series balancing nostalgia with the relentless pursuit of Tsuyo glory. Whether in the Zako fray or the championship decider, Sepang promises wheel‑to‑wheel drama and a fitting send‑off to one of Hololive GT3’s most beloved drivers and cars.