#24 Realize Corporation Advan Z clinches dramatic victory at SUPER GT Round 6 SUGO

• #24 Realize Corporation Advan Z executed a remarkable comeback to take the lead in the final lap.

• The win marks back-to-back victories for the Nissan Z NISMO GT500 in the 2025 SUPER GT Series.

• In the GT300 class, the #56 Realize Nissan Mechanic Challenge GT-R took 2nd place, with four Nissan cars finishing in the points.

Round 6 of the 2025 SUPER GT Series was held at Sportsland SUGO in Miyagi Prefecture on Sunday September 21. Starting from 5th place on the grid, the #24 Realize Corporation Advan Z seized the lead on the final lap to claim a dramatic come-from-behind victory. With this win, the Nissan Z NISMO GT500 secured consecutive victories following the triumph of the #23 Z in the previous round at Suzuka.

Detailed race report

The 300-killometer race commenced under cloudy skies and a cool breeze, with all four Nissan Z NISMO GT500 cars maintaining their starting positions in the opening laps. Matsuda in the #24 Z then began his charge, moving up to 4th place on lap 4 and 3rd on lap 9.

Maintaining a rapid pace, the #24 Z claimed 2nd place on lap 14 and continued to close the gap with the leader. As the race passed the one-third mark, teams began making pit stops. Among the Nissan Z NISMO GT500 entries, the #3 Niterra MOTUL Z and #12 TRS IMPUL with SDG Z pitted after 28 laps for driver changes, tire swaps and refueling. The #23 MOTUL AUTECH Z pitted at the end of lap 29. The #24 Z, running in 2nd place, extended its stint and pitted at the end of lap 39. After all the GT500 cars had completed their pit stops by lap 45, the #24 Z was in 3rd place, the #23 Z in 7th, the #12 Z in 12th and the #3 Z in 14th.

On lap 48, a multi-car crash occurred on the main straight, bringing out the red flag. Following nearly an hour-long suspension for guardrail repairs, the race resumed behind the safety car at 4:00 p.m. Racing restarted on lap 55, with the #24 Z in 3rd, the #23 Z in 6th, the #12 Z in 10th and the #3 Z in 14th, leaving 22 minutes until the maximum race extension at 4:30 p.m.

The #24 Z continued its charge, claiming 2nd place again at turn 1 on lap 60 and closing in on the leader. Navigating through backmarkers and waiting for the right moment, the #24 Z drew alongside the leader on the straight at the Horseback Curve section on the 70th and final lap, made a decisive pass into the SP Corner and maintained its lead to the checkered flag for a dramatic victory. The #3 Z finished 12th, while the #23 Z crossed the line in 7th but was penalized for an FCY infraction and dropped to 13th place. The #12 Z, forced to pit after contact while running in 10th place late in the race, finished 14th.

The Nissan/NISMO team’s back-to-back wins in the latter half of the season provide strong momentum heading into the final two rounds. It will continue to go all out in pursuit of the championship.

Tsugio Matsuda (#24 Realize Corporation Advan Z):
“I’m very happy to win at age 46. This weekend, I went back to basics and focused on my own driving. I had hoped to return to the pits in the lead so Natori’s warm-up lap would be easier — that’s my only regret. Still, my 25th career win is more memorable than any before. My thanks go to Natori, team principal Kondo, the team, everyone at NISMO and Yokohama Tire. There were tough times and things didn’t always go as planned, but for the final two races we’ll keep working to get the most out of the car and tires. Please continue to support us.”

Teppei Natori (#24 Realize Corporation Advan Z):
“I’m delighted that we could show we won’t be outdone by our strong rivals. I achieved my first wins in both GT300 and GT500 with KONDO Racing. For the team, this is our first GT500 victory in nine years. When I returned, Matsuda was in tears, and team principal Kondo and the whole team were overjoyed. Next up is Autopolis, where I took pole position last year and feel confident. I hope we can put on another exciting race for the fans. I’ll keep working hard together with Matsuda and the team.”

GT300 class
Four Nissan GT-R NISMO GT3s and one Fairlady Z built to GTA GT300 regulations competed in the GT300 class. The #56 Realize Nissan Mechanic Challenge GT-R (Joao Paulo de Oliveira/Kohei Hirate) started in 7th place and mounted a fierce charge to finish 2nd — earning its first podium since the season opener. Four Nissan cars finished in the points.