SPS automotive performance makes its debut in Suzuka

SPS automotive performance will compete at the Suzuka International Racing Course for the first time with a Mercedes-AMG GT3. As part of the Intercontinental GT Challenge, the team will contest the 1000 km race at Suzuka under the Heart of Racing by SPS banner with drivers Ian James (GBR), Zacharie Robichon (CAN) and Alex Riberas (ESP).

From 12 to 14 September, the Japanese Grand Prix circuit will host the 49th edition of an endurance race for sports cars. The collaboration between SPS automotive performance and The Heart of Racing will continue at this year's 1000 km race. In this fourth round of the Intercontinental GT Challenge, the successful joint venture will compete in the Pro-Am class with the Mercedes-AMG GT3 #27. Ian James, Zacharie Robichon and Alex Riberas will take shares of the driving duties.

Ian James, also team principal at Heart of Racing, has driven in nearly every race for Heart of Racing by SPS to date and has already secured several overall podium finishes and class victories, including at the legendary Bathurst 12 Hour in 2025. His teammate Zacharie Robichon joined James in the No. 27 car for the class victory at Bathurst. The Canadian made his debut in the Mercedes-AMG GT3 at the 24H Dubai in January and drives an LMGT3 car for The Heart of Racing in the FIA WEC. Alex Riberas completes the line-up in the Mercedes-AMG GT3 #27. The Spanish-born driver is also part of The Heart of Racing's driver line-up in the FIA WEC, but pilots one of the Hypercars entered in the series. Last year, Riberas finished an outstanding second in the Pro-Am class at the Bathurst 12 Hour in his first outing in a Mercedes-AMG GT3. Riberas will now support the team at the Suzuka circuit, built in 1962, which is one of the most demanding tracks in motorsport.

Through its motorsport programmes, Heart of Racing continuously raises funds for paediatric research. One of the largest institutions of its kind, Seattle Children's Hospital in the United States, is one of the beneficiaries of this charitable project. Through the joint venture with Heart of Racing, SPS automotive performance is also able to be part of this project, which the team from Obersulm is happy to support.

The first practice sessions for the Suzuka 1000 km will kick off on Friday, 12 September. On Sunday, 14 September, at 12:50 p.m. local time (5:50 a.m. CEST), the lights will go green for the approximately six-and-a-half-hour race.

Stephan Sohn, team principal SPS automotive performance: “The race in Suzuka is a new challenge for us, one that we are happy to take on. This is our first time competing in Japan, and we are really looking forward to the event and the new surroundings. The track is known to be very demanding, but after our class victory in Bathurst together with Heart of Racing, we are very optimistic that we can achieve a good result at this event as well. “