Johor Motorsports Racing (JMR) has confirmed Scott McLaughlin as part of its driver lineup for the upcoming Suzuka 1000 event.
McLaughlin will team up with British driver Alexander Sims and Dutch racer Nicky Catsburg, piloting a Corvette Z06 GT3.R in the Pro category.
Meanwhile, the second JMR entry in the Pro-Am class will be shared by His Highness Prince Jefri Ibrahim, His Highness Prince Abu Bakar Ibrahim, and Finnish GT competitor Konsta Lappalainen.
This marks McLaughlin’s first major GT3 endurance race since his appearance at the Daytona 24 Hours earlier this year, where he also competed in a Corvette alongside Shane van Gisbergen and Connor Zilisch.
Reflecting on the opportunity, McLaughlin said, “I’m really grateful for the opportunity to be a part of the JMR team heading to Suzuka for the 1000km. I’ve always wanted to race Suzuka, and it’s a bucket-list track for me. It’ll be an exciting race there in the Pro class with my GM friends Nicky Catsburg and Alex Sims, who are two amazing Corvette racers.
“I’m sure I’m going to learn a lot about the team and more about the Corvette, which I haven’t raced since Daytona. I can’t wait to get back behind the wheel, have a lot of fun, and hopefully come back with some silverware.”
This event will be Johor Motorsports Racing’s first time running a fully professional driver lineup in a GT3 endurance competition.
Prince Jefri Ibrahim welcomed McLaughlin to the team, sharing his thoughts: “We’ve had a tight calendar this year, but the Suzuka 1000 has always been a race I wanted to do. Having a JMR Pro car has always been the plan.
“We chose Alex and Nicky as they both race Corvettes and have lots of experience with the cars and the team. We wanted an awesome lineup, so to have Scott McLaughlin, who is also part of the GM family, and now part of JMR, will be a really great addition.”
He added, “Personally, I’m feeling confident and really looking forward to racing at Suzuka alongside my brother in the same car. We have three wins already this year [in GT World Challenge Asia], and the more laps I get in the Chevrolet Corvette Z06 GT3.R, the more comfortable I become.
“I’m really happy with how this season has gone so far for the team and our partnership GM and Chevrolet. We’re both on the same page – we want success, and most importantly, we’re thinking of our long-term plans together with Chevrolet and Corvette Racing.”
The Suzuka 1000 endurance race is making a comeback this year after being removed from the Super GT calendar post-2020 and transitioning into the Suzuka 10 Hour.
The race forms part of the Intercontinental GT Challenge, which also includes endurance events at Bathurst, Nürburgring, Spa-Francorchamps, and Indianapolis.
Organisers expect around 30 cars to compete, featuring FIA GT3 and JAF GT300 homologated vehicles.
The event will take place from September 12 to 14, with live streaming available on the GT World YouTube channel.
Header Image: Penske Entertainment – Joe Skibinski
