The BMW & MINI Racing Committee (Management Office: Geomic Motorsports Co., Ltd. [Headquarters: Nagoya, Aichi Prefecture, Representative Director: Wataru Morishita]) held Round 3 (RD.3) of "BMW & MINI Racing 2026" (hereinafter, BMR.2026), comprising the 5th and 6th races, over two days on June 20 (Sat.) and 21 (Sun.), 2026, at Fuji Speedway (Oyama-cho, Sunto-gun, Shizuoka Prefecture).

This event, serving as the third round of BMR.2026, featured two races: Race 5 and Race 6. Drivers competing in the BMW M2 CS Racing Series, MINI CHALLENGE JAPAN's MINI JCW class, and MINI CPS class battled closely on the Fuji Speedway, Japan's premier high-speed circuit.

The layout of Fuji Speedway, with its approximately 1.5km main straight, a sharp deceleration into Turn 1, and subsequent technical sections, tests not only vehicle performance but also the drivers' judgment, braking precision, line choice, and overall race strategy. The close-fought battles, characteristic of one-make races, were evident throughout, making for an exciting two days that kept spectators on the edge of their seats until the very end.

Intense Battles Across Three Classes Unfolded at Fuji Speedway

BMW & MINI Racing is a motorsport series that co-hosts the "M2 CS Racing Series," inheriting the DNA of BMW M Motorsport, and the one-make race "MINI CHALLENGE JAPAN" featuring the British-born New MINI.

At RD.3 Fuji, the M2 Racing class, MINI JCW class, and MINI CPS class raced, each leveraging their unique characteristics. Competitive races unfolded in each class, showcasing straight-line speed, cornering, braking, tire management, and the positional battles right after the start.

At Fuji Speedway in particular, the braking duel into Turn 1 after utilizing the slipstream on the main straight is a major highlight. Amidst the tension where even a slight mistake directly impacts position, each driver maintained focus until the finish, delivering a performance worthy of this crucial mid-season battle.

Race 5: Kazuki Ishii, Taiga Imoto, and One chan Victorious in Their Respective Classes

In Race 5, #1 Kazuki Ishii won the M2 CS Racing class, showcasing a powerful drive that capitalized on Fuji Speedway's high-speed layout.

In the MINI JCW class, #19 Taiga Imoto took the victory. Maintaining a consistent pace amidst close competition, he crossed the finish line in first place.

#101 One chan won the MINI CPS class. This class, based on street-legal vehicles, offered a race that balanced accessibility with competitiveness, and One chan made a strong impression.

Race 5 Winning Drivers

M2 Racing: #1 Kazuki Ishii

MINI JCW: #19 Taiga Imoto

MINI CPS: #101 One chan

▲ Kazuki Ishii ▲ Taiga Imoto ▲ One chan

Race 6: Junpei Kato Wins M2 Racing, Taiga Imoto Scores Consecutive JCW Victory

In Race 6, held the following day, #5 Junpei Kato won the M2 Racing class. Seizing victory amidst a different race dynamic than Race 5, his win further solidified the M2 Racing class competition at the Fuji round.

#19 Taiga Imoto continued his winning streak in the MINI JCW class, following his victory in Race 5. His consecutive wins at RD.3 Fuji demonstrated his significant presence.

#96 Naritoshi Tomita won the MINI CPS class. The emergence of a different winner compared to Race 5 highlighted the intense competition in the CPS class and the excitement of the series title race.

Race 6 Winning Drivers

M2 Racing: #5 Junpei Kato

MINI JCW: #19 Taiga Imoto

MINI CPS: #96 Naritoshi Tomita

▲ Junpei Kato ▲ Taiga Imoto ▲ Naritoshi Tomita

Beyond Spectating: Unique Experiential Value of BMR

BMR.2026 is committed not only to the outcomes of the races but also to enhancing experiential content that allows visitors to feel closer to motorsport.

At the venue, in addition to watching the races, attendees experienced the atmosphere of the pits and paddock up close, enjoyed cheering for drivers and teams, and interacted with fellow BMW/MINI fans, creating an extraordinary time unique to the circuit.

The power of the machines, the engine sounds, the mechanics at work, the tension before the start, and the exhilaration of the podium ceremony – experiencing these firsthand is a major appeal of motorsport spectating. BMR aims to be an entertaining race event that is accessible not only to race fans but also to BMW/MINI owners, families, and those new to motorsport.

▲ Pit tour in progress

Expanding BMW/MINI Brand Experience and Motorsport Culture

BMR.2026 goes beyond being a mere competition; it serves as a venue to experience the sportiness, design, and driving pleasure of the BMW/MINI brands on the circuit.

The BMW M2 CS Racing Series features authentic competition with racing cars inheriting the technology and philosophy of BMW M Motorsport. MINI CHALLENGE JAPAN delivers the charm of motorsport, approachable to both spectators and participants, by blending MINI's unique character with the close racing characteristic of one-make series.

Furthermore, it is a platform for nurturing the next generation of motorsport culture, bringing together drivers, teams, mechanics, partner companies, and fans. It is engaged in creating new value centered around the circuit, including human resource development through racing, community building, and collaboration with official dealers and support garages.

Next Round at Sportsland SUGO: The Battle for the Latter Half of the Series Intensifies

Following RD.3 Fuji, BMR.2026 moves on to its next round.

The next event is scheduled to be held at Sportsland SUGO. With a different elevation profile and technical layout compared to Fuji Speedway, attention is focused on how the power dynamics in each class will shift as the series heads into its latter half. We will continue to provide new circuit experiences to participants, attendees, and fans as a motorsport event that fuses the excitement of racing with brand experiences.

Ticket Information

Price: Supporter Pass [Junior High School Students and Older] ¥4,400 (Tax Included)

On Sale: June 25, 2026 (Thu.)

Ticket Sales Site

*Information regarding spectating and participation (tickets/entry conditions/how to participate in experiential content, etc.) will be available on the official website.

Event Overview

Event Name: BMW & MINI Racing 2026 RD.4 (Races 7 & 8)

Date: July 18 (Sat.) & 19 (Sun.), 2026

Venue: Sportsland SUGO (Murata-machi, Shibata-gun, Miyagi Prefecture)

Organizer: BMW & MINI Racing Committee

Management: Geomic Motorsports Co., Ltd.

About BMW & MINI Racing

BMW & MINI Racing is a stylish and sporty luxury car race event co-hosted by the "M2 CS Racing Series," the only "BMW Group Japan" official race in Japan, and "MINI CHALLENGE JAPAN," which exclusively features the British-born New MINI. Celebrating its 5th anniversary this year as a JAF-sanctioned one-make series, it is evolving to a new stage. With the establishment of new classes and the introduction of new race formats, the 2026 season marks the start of "Chapter 2" with a renewed look. The event aims to provide more diverse participation opportunities and enhanced entertainment, further embodying the brand values of BMW and MINI.

BMW & MINI Racing 2026 Schedule

RD.1 (Races 1 & 2): March 28 (Sat.) & 29 (Sun.), Fuji Speedway

RD.2 (Races 3 & 4): April 25 (Sat.) & 26 (Sun.), Mobility Resort Motegi

RD.3 (Races 5 & 6): June 20 (Sat.) & 21 (Sun.), Fuji Speedway

RD.4 (Races 7 & 8): July 18 (Sat.) & 19 (Sun.), Sportsland SUGO

RD.5 (Races 9 & 10): October 10 (Sat.) & 11 (Sun.), Okayama International Circuit

RD.6 (Races 11 & 12): December 5 (Sat.) & 6 (Sun.), Suzuka Circuit

[Company Profile]

Company Name: Geomic Motorsports Co., Ltd.

Address: 6F, Marunouchi YS Bldg., 3-9-16 Marunouchi, Naka-ku, Nagoya, Aichi Prefecture

Capital: ¥30,000,000

Official Event Website: https://bmwminiracing.jp

[Business Activities]

- Planning and operation of events in the motorsport domain

[Inquiries Regarding This Matter]

Name: BMW & MINI Racing Committee [Within Geomic Motorsports Co., Ltd.] Contact: 052-684-5556 (Main) E-mail: [email protected]

FACT BOX

  • Source: PR TIMES
  • Category: Eventレポート
  • Organizations: BMW M Motorsport / MINI CHALLENGE JAPAN / JAF