AO Racing brings Bushi Rex, its samurai-themed Porsche 911 GT3 R, to Suzuka 1000km
AO Racing will make its Intercontinental GT Challenge debut at the Suzuka 1000km on 11 to 13 September, partnering with Absolute Racing to field a Porsche 911 GT3 R nicknamed Bushi Rex, backed by three Porsche factory drivers
The entry, badged AO by Absolute, will run the number 8 Porsche 911 GT3 R in the Pro class at the 50th running of the Suzuka 1000km, part of the SRO Intercontinental GT Challenge calendar. It is AO Racing's first appearance in the series, made possible by teaming up with Absolute Racing, one of the most established GT3 outfits in Asia, alongside factory backing from Porsche Motorsport Asia Pacific.
A driver line-up with real pedigree
Three Porsche factory drivers will share the car: Laurin Heinrich, the reigning 2024 IMSA GTD Pro champion, Julien Andlauer, who shared Porsche Penske Motorsport's Daytona 24 Hours hat-trick win earlier this year alongside Heinrich, and Alessio Picariello, who has spent two seasons racing for AO Racing in the IMSA Endurance Cup and brings extensive prior experience with Absolute Racing in Asia. Porsche Motorsport Asia Pacific's Alexandre Gibot summed up the ambition plainly: “We have all the pieces in place to fight at the front.”
The samurai ancestor of AO Racing's own dinosaur mascot
Bushi Rex is not just a livery. AO Racing has built its identity around Rexy, a dinosaur-themed Porsche character that has featured on its cars since 2022, and the story goes that during the team's 2023 FIA WEC visit to the 6 Hours of Fuji, Rexy researched the family tree and traced its lineage back to a legendary warrior of the Rex Family Samurai Clan named Bushi, Japanese for warrior. Bushi Rex is that ancestor, brought to life for Suzuka. Absolute Racing's Fabien Fior is leaning into it: “Bushi Rex will capture the imagination of fans across Asia.” Fans can pick up Bushi Rex apparel and collectibles at the track and through AO Racing's online store.
Absolute Racing already knows how to finish on the podium here
Absolute Racing is no stranger to Suzuka's revival era, having finished second in last year's Suzuka 1000km with Kevin Estre and Laurens Vanthoor sharing the car. Porsche itself carries the most individual marque wins in Suzuka 1000km history with 11, though it has not taken outright victory there since 1994, a gap this entry is clearly aiming to close.
Where this fits in a tight championship fight
The Suzuka round is the fourth of six remaining rounds in the Intercontinental GT Challenge season, which concludes at the Indianapolis 8 Hour in October. Porsche currently holds an eight-point lead over Mercedes-AMG in the manufacturers' standings, making every point at Suzuka relevant to the title fight rather than just a one-off appearance.
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AO Racing's dinosaur mascot has always been more than a marketing gimmick, and giving it a samurai ancestor for a Japanese round is exactly the kind of specific, well-considered touch that turns a one-off guest entry into something local fans will actually remember. It also does not cost the team any credibility, given the driver line-up sitting underneath the character is entirely serious.
Team principal Gunnar Jeannette put it simply: “With a stellar driver line-up and an amazing new character, we are very much looking forward to putting on a show for our Japanese fans.” With Porsche's manufacturer points lead on the line and Absolute Racing's own podium form at Suzuka behind it, Bushi Rex has a genuine chance to be remembered for more than its name.
