BMW & MINI Racing introduces new endurance format at Sportsland SUGO

The BMW & MINI Racing 2026 RD. 4 event took place on July 18 and 19 at Sportsland SUGO in Miyagi Prefecture, Japan. The competition introduced a new 50-minute endurance format called ‘GRAN HEAT,’ designed to test the collective strategy of drivers, engineers, and mechanics.

Race 7 was held under rainy, wet conditions, requiring complex decisions regarding tire selection and pit stops. In the BMW M2 Racing class, Kazuki Tokuto secured a pole-to-win victory. In the MINI JCW class, Taiga Imoto took first place, while the duo of Naritoshi Tomita and Mitsuru Nomura won the MINI CPS class.

Race 8 featured dry conditions, leading to high-speed battles. Kazuki Ishii won the BMW M2 Racing class, and Reiji Matsumoto won the MINI JCW class. The Tomita/Nomura team achieved back-to-back victories in the MINI CPS class. Additionally, the event included a parade run for MINI owners on the racing circuit.