Honda Civic GT500 set for July public test debut

One 2024 automobile from every of the three GT500 producers, Honda, Toyota and Nissan, is anticipated to participate within the two-day take a look at on July 25-26.

Though not but formally introduced by the GTA, it’s anticipated the take a look at will likely be open to followers and media.

Honda unveiled the Civic Type R-GT Concept at the start of this year at the Tokyo Auto Salon because it prepares to retire the second-generation NSX-GT that has raced in a single kind or one other for the reason that 2014 season.

Initially, the Civic’s introduction was deliberate to coincide with the arrival of latest GT500 laws, however the GTA has since introduced that the present chassis will remain in service for a further season before a replacement comes in 2025.

Nevertheless, producers will nonetheless be free to introduce new base fashions because the aerodynamic freeze that’s at present in place for 2023 will likely be lifted.

Whereas Honda is ready to benefit from this to swap the NSX-GT – based mostly on a highway automobile it now not sells – for the Civic Sort R-GT, Toyota and Nissan seem more likely to follow their present fashions, the GR Supra and Z respectively.

 

Toyota first launched the GR Supra firstly of the present GT500 guidelines cycle in 2020, successful the title the next 12 months, whereas Nissan’s Z solely debuted in 2022, taking the championship in its first season.

With a brand new cycle of GT500 laws now set to start in 2025, it seems possible that Toyota and Nissan would have the choice of introducing new base fashions at that juncture ought to they want.

The present SUPER GT season will resume at Fuji Speedway the week after the 2024 take a look at on August 5-6.

Motorsport.tv is exhibiting all qualifying classes and races for the 2023 SUPER GT season. For extra data, click here.