JRM Confirms Return to Suzuka 1000KM with Scott McLaughlin, Nicky Catsburg, and Alexander Sims

Aug 4, 2026

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JRM Confirms Return to Suzuka 1000KM with Scott McLaughlin, Nicky Catsburg, and Alexander Sims

Photo Credit: JRM Racing

Heading into the 2026 Suzuka 1,000KM, Johor Motorsports Racing is dialing it back to familiar (and successful) form with their Pro entry. Drivers Scott McLaughlin, Nicky Catsburg and Alexander Sims will again drive the Chevrolet Corvette Z06 GT3.R with aspirations of adding to their collective accomplishments in what was a breakout year at the series’ signature race last time around.

Completing the trip around Japan’s famed circuit in third place in 2025 was a major result for JMR’s first outing at Suzuka with an all-Pro lineup and also marked the Corvette Z06 GT3.R’s debut at the event. Since then, the trio have racked up another year’s worth of international GT3 know-how including winning in Pro-Am competition at last month’s CrowdStrike 24 Hours of Spa. Fresh off of that result and carrying strong momentum into September, JMR isn’t afraid to set their sights high.

Meet JMR’s Pro Driver lineup for the Suzuka 1000KM:

Scott McLaughlin (NZL, 33)
The three-time Australian Supercars champion continues to impress in the US with Team Penske and INDYCAR. McLaughlin took third in championship in both 2023 and 2024 and has already racked up two-second-place finishes and a third at the 2026 Indy 500. Expect the Kiwi to be strong once again for JMR in Pro division.

Nicky Catsburg (NED, 38)
Talk about a driver on a roll. Corvette Racing’s factory driver is battling for the IMSA GTD Pro crown and added another biggin‘ in June with his LMGT3 class victory at the 24 Hours of LeMans. Few drivers in the world of GT racing have more momentum coming into this race than Catsburg.

Alexander Sims (GBR, 38)
Qualifying has been Sims specialty in 2026 with Corvette Racing and Pratt Miller Motorsports this year, picking up poles at both Detroit and the Rolex 24. He also earned his first career victory at the Chevrolet Detroit Sports Car Classic earlier this year and currently sits fourth in WeatherTech Championship standings.

Completing the JMR entry for Suzuka will be Pro-Am drivers HH Prince Jefri Ibrahim, HH Prince Abu Bakar Ibrahim, and returning JMR regular Ben Green. The trio notched their first career Pro-Am victory just two months ago at the 24 Hours of Spa after only three attempts together as a team and will be joined by Aussie Jordan Love. Like their Pro counterparts, the group wants more than just a podium in 2026 after toughing out third at Suzuka last year.

The 50th Suzuka 1,000KM is Round 4 of the Intercontinental GT Challenge. A full 33 GTA/ GT300-spec cars will take the start over September 11-13 and can be watched via livestream on the GT World YouTube channel.

Andrea Hidalgo, Corvette Racing Program Manager:

“It’s very exciting to see JMR step up again to the Pro class at the Suzuka 1000km with Alexander, Nicky and Scott in the Corvette Z06 GT3.R. They are three world-class drivers, and everyone at Corvette Racing and our fans are looking forward to watching them go up against the best GT teams and drivers on the Intercontinental GT Challenge’s global stage. JMR’s success – four race wins in less than two years – with the Corvette has been impressive; we’re extremely proud of the success from Prince Jefri, Prince Abu Bakar and the whole JMR team, and can’t wait to see how both entries perform at Suzuka.”

CORVETTE Z06 GT3.R DRIVER QUOTES

HH Prince Jefri Ibrahim:

“This year is about growing stronger together as a team. We showed good pace at Le Mans and won our class at the CrowdStrike 24 Hours of Spa, which meant an enormous amount to us. A Pro entry in the big events has always been part of JMR’s plan; last year was our first appearance at Suzuka and we had two cars on the podium, and this year we’re hoping for an even stronger result. I’m really happy to have Alexander Sims, Scott McLaughlin and Nicky Catsburg in the Pro car. I’ve given the drivers the freedom to be completely transparent about whatever needs working on. The most important thing is a good result, and with their experience and speed, I’m really looking forward to seeing what they can do. This is just the beginning of JMR’s future with the Pro car. We’re still a young team, but we’re heading in the right direction, and the success we’ve found with Corvette has been a great start. I just want to keep improving as a driver, improve the car, and improve the team, so we’re strong in the bigger races we want to take on in the future.”

Scott McLaughlin:

“I’m so excited to get back with the team at JMR. Their operation is absolutely first class and last year I had a real blast trying to win a race with such great people! Suzuka was one of my favorite races last year, so I can’t wait to get back there with JMR, Nicky and Alex, and push for the win in 2026.”

Nicky Catsburg:

“Japan is one of my favorite destinations and I’m massively looking forward to being back at Japan and with JMR – it’s a team I’ve grown very fond of after our races at Suzuka last year and Bathurst in February. It’s very cool to have Scott McLaughlin back on board, and of course, to drive with Alex Sims again. I get to race against him a lot in America, so to race with him on the same team again will be nice. Last year at Suzuka we scored a podium after some awesome battles and with a very fast car, and hopefully we can fight for the podium, and even the win, in 2026.”

Ben Green:

“I’m very excited to be heading to Suzuka for the first time. I’ve made my debut at several legendary tracks this year with JMR, such as Bathurst and Le Mans, so Suzuka will be another amazing circuit to add to that list! I’m looking forward to joining Prince Jefri and Prince Abu after our success last time out in the 24 Hours of Spa, where we won the Pro-Am class. We’ll give our best to fight through the heat and humidity for the top spot in the Pro-Am class once again!”

Source:
Johor Motorsports Racing

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