The 2024 Race of Champions, a showcase event featuring all the titleholders from the Gran Turismo World Series and the TOYOTA GAZOO Racing GT Cup, unfolded on Friday, December 20, at the Polyphony Digital studio in Tokyo.

This exclusive year-end tradition, introduced in 2023, invites champions of the Gran Turismo World Series to the studio for a celebratory gathering. The event offers a rare opportunity for these elite drivers to interact with the Gran Turismo production team, special guests, and previous champions, all culminating in a festive atmosphere complete with a cake-cutting ceremony.

The Race of Champions serves as the centerpiece of the occasion—a high-stakes exhibition contest bringing together the best of the best in a private, electrifying showdown.

Fans can relive the action with the premier release of the 2024 Race of Champions, featuring expert commentary, on the official Gran Turismo TV YouTube channel and Gran Turismo LIVE. Tune in starting December 31, 2024, at 7:00 a.m. (PST) to experience this thrilling event.

■ Premiere Broadcast Links

Tuesday, December 31, 2024 @ 7:00 a.m. (PST) Premier Release

Gran Turismo Live
https://www.gran-turismo.com/world/live/00_5513240

GRAN TURISMO TV
https://youtu.be/cQ4PFrtzcqw

The Race of Champions returned for its second year, featuring an impressive lineup of elite drivers. Among them was Japan’s Takuma Miyazono, who captured his second series title—four years after his first triumph. Joining him on the grid was Team Lexus, celebrating its second Manufacturers Championship victory since 2018 with team members Igor Fraga, Kanata Kawakami, and Harald Walsen leading the charge.

Spain’s Jose Serrano, the 2024 TOYOTA GAZOO Racing GT Cup champion, also brought his A-game, joining a host of past champions to create a truly extraordinary roster of talent. This unique gathering of titleholders set the stage for a thrilling exhibition race.

The competition unfolded on a familiar battleground: the Tokyo Expressway - East Clockwise, a track that played a starring role in Round 3 of the Gran Turismo World Series 2024 Nations Cup. The drivers faced a high-speed sprint race with production sports cars tuned to an astonishing 1000 horsepower. The action was relentless, with slipstream duels on the front straight resulting in daring passing, and cars hurtling into the first corner at speeds exceeding 400 km/h. The unforgiving walls of the Tokyo Expressway added an edge of danger to every turn, keeping those in attendance on the edge of their seats.

More than just a race, the Race of Champions served as the perfect conclusion to the Gran Turismo World Series 2024, celebrating another remarkable year of virtual motorsport.

Be sure to catch all the matchups featuring champions from past years—this is a showcase of skill and speed you won’t want to miss!

■ Driver Lineup

■ Race Details

Drivers/Cars

Final Race