JMR Adds Pro Suzuka Car for McLaughlin, Sims, Catsburg

Johor Motorsports (JMR) has announced the addition of a Pro Corvette entry into next month's Suzuka 1000km, reprising its 2025 podium-finishing lineup of Scott McLaughlin, Alexander Sims and Nicky Catsburg. The Malaysian team, which has been making waves in the Intercontinental GT Challenge with its Chevrolet Corvette Z06 GT3.Rs, is set to field two cars at the iconic Japanese enduro on September 11-13.

The Pro class entry joins the team's previously-confirmed Pro-Am class car for Princes Jefri and Abu Bakar Ibrahim and Ben Green, who is set for his Suzuka debut. The two-car assault represents JMR's most ambitious IGTC campaign to date and signals the team's growing confidence in its Corvette program.

The Lineup: A Proven Combination

JMR's Pro entry features the same lineup that finished third overall in last year's Suzuka 1000km, making it one of the most formidable driver combinations in the field.

Scott McLaughlin

The NTT IndyCar Series star has become a fixture in the JMR lineup, bringing his exceptional speed and racecraft to the Corvette program. McLaughlin, who has won multiple IndyCar races and is a regular contender for the series championship, has proven himself to be equally adept in GT machinery. His ability to adapt to different cars and circuits makes him a valuable asset for the Suzuka 1000km, which is one of the most demanding races on the GT calendar.

Alexander Sims

The Corvette factory ace is no stranger to success in GT racing. Sims has raced at the highest levels of the sport, including the FIA World Endurance Championship and the 24 Hours of Le Mans. His experience and technical feedback have been crucial to JMR's development, and his familiarity with the Suzuka circuit is a significant advantage for the team.

Nicky Catsburg

Another Corvette factory driver, Catsburg has become a key part of the JMR program. His experience in GT racing is extensive, including multiple wins in the IGTC and other major events. Catsburg previously told Sportscar365 that he had "high hopes" of again contesting the Japanese enduro with the team, and his enthusiasm for the event is palpable.

The Team's Ambitions

Prince Jefri, who also serves as team principal, expressed his excitement about the expanded program:

"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."

Corvette Racing's Support

Andrea Hidalgo, Corvette Racing program manager, added her support for the expanded JMR effort:

"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."

JMR's IGTC Journey

JMR has been building momentum in the Intercontinental GT Challenge over the past two years. The Malaysian team entered a Pro class Chevrolet Corvette Z06 GT3.R in the Meguiar's Bathurst 12 Hour and won the Pro-Am class at the CrowdStrike 24 Hours of Spa. The team has now set its sights on another strong result in Japan.

The 2025 Suzuka 1000km provided a breakthrough moment for the team, with the Pro lineup finishing third overall. That result demonstrated that JMR could compete with the best GT teams in the world, and the team has been building on that success ever since.

The Suzuka 1000km is one of the most prestigious events on the IGTC calendar, and a strong result there would further cement JMR's reputation as a rising force in GT racing.

The Pro-Am Entry

JMR's Pro-Am class entry features Princes Jefri and Abu Bakar Ibrahim, who have been the driving force behind the team's success, alongside Ben Green. Green, who is set for his Suzuka debut, is an exciting young driver who has been making a name for himself in GT racing.

The Pro-Am entry provides a pathway for the princes to continue developing as drivers while also supporting the team's broader ambitions. Their commitment to the program has been instrumental in JMR's growth, and their presence in the field adds a compelling narrative to the team's Suzuka campaign.

The Suzuka 1000km

The Suzuka 1000km is one of the most demanding races on the GT calendar. The legendary Suzuka Circuit, with its high-speed sweepers, tight esses, and challenging esses, is a true test of driver skill and car setup. The race, which runs for 1000 kilometers, is a test of endurance, strategy, and consistency.

JMR has become the first team to confirm a Pro class entry for the Suzuka 1000km, for which a provisional entry list has yet to be released. The team's early announcement signals its confidence and commitment to the event.

The race is scheduled for September 11-13, and JMR will be looking to build on its podium finish from last year while also establishing itself as a regular contender in the Pro class.

What's Next for JMR

The Suzuka 1000km is just the latest chapter in JMR's rapid rise in GT racing. The team has already demonstrated its ability to compete at the highest level, and the expanded program in Japan is a sign of its ambition.

With two cars in the field and a world-class driver lineup in the Pro entry, JMR is poised to make a significant impact at Suzuka. The team's development has been remarkable, and its success has been a source of pride for Malaysian motorsport.

Corvette Racing's support for the program further validates JMR's approach and provides the team with the resources and expertise needed to compete at the highest level.

JMR's decision to expand its Suzuka 1000km program to two cars is a statement of intent. The Malaysian team has already proven that it can compete with the best in the Intercontinental GT Challenge, and the return of its 2025 podium-finishing lineup in the Pro class gives it a genuine chance at victory.

The addition of the Pro entry alongside the Pro-Am car demonstrates JMR's commitment to the Corvette program and its ambition to become a leading force in GT racing. With the support of Corvette Racing and a world-class driver lineup, JMR is well-positioned for success at Suzuka.

As the provisional entry list for the Suzuka 1000km takes shape, JMR has already established itself as one of the teams to watch. The circus of GT racing is always packing up and moving away, but at Suzuka, JMR is ready to put on a show.