Former Super GT500 champion Tadasuke Makino will spearhead Ponos Racing’s all-pro Ferrari entry at the upcoming Suzuka 1000km.
The Super Formula and F2 race winner shares the 296 GT3 Evo with current Super GT300 championship leader Seita Nonaka and Takuro Shinohara who represents Ponos in the same category.
The Kyoto-based team is also a regular in SRO’s domestic Japan Cup where it uses the same Pirelli tyres as mandated at Suzuka, which hosts the penultimate Intercontinental GT Challenge round on September 11-13.
Honda works driver Makino has become one of Super GT’s biggest stars in recent years. He won the senior class title with Team Kunimatsu in 2020 before finishing second in 2024 and ’25. He currently occupies third in the standings after three completed events.
The Ferrari he shares with Nonaka and Shinohara is eligible to score IGTC points on its manufacturers’ behalf at Suzuka.
Ponos, which has entered into a technical partnership with D’station Racing for the event, also contested Suzuka with the 296 last season, albeit in the Pro-Am class.
“Last year, Ponos Racing took on the Suzuka 1000km for the first time, and we gained valuable lessons along with a real sense of progress,” said team director Yori Tsuji. “Building on that experience, this year we’re welcoming three outstanding, top-tier drivers from Japan – Makino, Nonaka, and Shinohara – and the entire team is moving forward with thorough, race-ready preparations.
“In addition, with the support of D’station Racing, we’ve put a structure in place to back up vehicle operations and race engineering. It’s a demanding race with elite competitors from around the world, but we’re not just aiming for a strong finish - we’re seriously setting our sights on the win beyond that.”