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McLaughlin gets Corvette Suzuka drive

By Thomas Miles

Date posted: 13 August 2025

Scott McLaughlin will return to endurance racing and spearhead a Johor Motorsports Racing Corvette entry at the Suzuka 1000.

McLaughlin will partner Brit Alex Sims and Dutch driver Nicky Catsburg in a Chevrolet Corvette Z06 GT3.R.

Both of McLaughlin’s co-drivers are factory Corvette Racing stars and will be a force at the 1000km endurance race.

It is a significant step in McLaughlin’s career as he returns to endurance racing, continuing to build experience at IndyCar.

Since stepping away from Supercars as a three-time champion, the Kiwi has amassed seven wins against the stars of IndyCar.

He currently sits 11th in the 2025 IndyCar season with two races left.

However, having dabbled in five IMSA starts, the Suzuka 1000 marks a call back to McLaughlin’s Supercars days, taking on the Sandown, Bathurst and Gold Coast enduros.

Similar to the Bathurst 1000, this will take place at another iconic track in Japan’s Suzuka – the home of the infamous Ayrton Senna v Alain Prost clashes.

JMR Corvette

The JMR Corvette at the Spa 24 Hours 2025. Image: Supplied

McLaughlin described it as a “bucket-list” race.

“I’m really grateful for the opportunity to be a part of the JMR team heading to Suzuka for the 1000km,” he said. 

“I’ve always wanted to race Suzuka and it’s a bucket-list track for me. 

“It’ll be an exciting race there in the Pro class with my GM friends Nicky Catsburg and Alex Sims, who are two amazing Corvette racers. 

“I’m sure I’m going to learn a lot about the team and more about the Corvette, which I haven’t raced since Daytona. 

“I can’t wait to get back behind the wheel, have a lot of fun, and hopefully come back with some silverware.” 

Fellow Pro driver Sims teamed up with HH Prince Jefri Ibrahim for JMR’s first win on debut with the Corvette GT3 car at Sepang to start 2025 on the best-possible note. 

While Suzuka will mark Catsburg’s first appearance with JMR, he’s no stranger to the circuit, having contested the race there in 2019. 

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