According to an announcement made today by the GT Association (GTA), Bridgestone and Dunlop have been selected as the official tyre suppliers for the Autobacs SUPER GT Series, securing three-year contracts that begin in 2027. Bridgestone will manufacture and supply tyres for all teams in the premier GT500 class, while Dunlop will handle exclusive supply duties for the GT300 class. Each manufacturer is slated to construct three dry weather compounds—soft, medium, and hard—for their respective categories, effectively ending the long-running multi-manufacturer tyre war in the series.
Bridgestone Secures Exclusive GT500 Supply Rights Through 2029
Bridgestone enters this new agreement as a dominant tyre manufacturer in the history of the premier class. According to the GT Association, the company has claimed 28 GT500 Drivers’ Championships, 26 Teams’ Championships, and 196 race victories since the establishment of the All Japan Grand Touring Car Championship (JGTC) in 1994. Even within a shortened season, Bridgestone is projected to reach its 200th victory in GT500 before the season finale at Mobility Resort Motegi.
In the current 2026 grid, Bridgestone supplies tyres to 12 out of the 14 GT500 teams. The only exceptions are TGR Team WedsSport Bandoh, which runs on Yokohama tyres, and Modulo Nakajima Racing, which runs on Dunlop rubber. Under the upcoming 2027 single-supplier framework, Bridgestone will outfit the entire GT500 field.
Dunlop Outbids Yokohama for First Exclusive GT300 Contract
In the GT300 category, Dunlop has outbid Yokohama to capture the first exclusive tyre supply contract in the class’s history, running through 2029. Dunlop operates globally as a unified tyre brand under the ownership of Sumitomo Rubber Industries, outside of a few specialized non-automotive markets. Since 1994, teams running on Dunlop tyres have secured three GT300 Drivers’ Championships, four Teams’ Championships, and 41 race victories.
Pro Tip for Race Fans: Voluntary tyre testing for the 2027 season is scheduled to begin on the Monday following the Fuji 300km at Fuji Speedway. GT500 will mandate at least one car per manufacturer at every test session, while GT300 testing remains open to any participating teams willing to run.
Currently, Dunlop supplies just four teams in GT300—R&D Sport, Gainer, D’station Racing, and LM corsa—compared to Yokohama’s 17-team stronghold on the 2026 grid. Despite Yokohama’s status as the most successful tyre in GT300 history, the brand will bow out of the series entirely at the end of the current season. According to the GT Association, Yokohama will pivot its full focus toward serving as the sole tyre supplier for the Super Formula Championship.
Winding Down the Multi-Manufacturer Era
Alongside Yokohama’s departure, Michelin will wind down its remaining limited activities in SUPER GT. This move follows Michelin’s earlier exit from the GT500 class after the 2023 season. Meanwhile, Dunlop tyres will see broader utilization next year, as SUPER GT GT300 teams choosing to enter the 51st running of the Suzuka 1000km will run on Dunlop rubber against regular Intercontinental GT Challenge and GT World Challenge competitors outfitted with Pirelli tyres.
Did You Know? The upcoming transition to exclusive single-supplier contracts in 2027 marks the definitive conclusion of the fiercely contested “tyre war” era that has defined SUPER GT and JGTC competition.
Frequently Asked Questions
When do the new Bridgestone and Dunlop SUPER GT contracts start?
The new three-year exclusive tyre supply contracts officially begin in the 2027 season.
Which tyre manufacturers are leaving SUPER GT?
According to the GT Association, Yokohama will exit the series at the end of the current season to focus on the Super Formula Championship, while Michelin will wind down its remaining limited activities.
How many dry weather compounds will each supplier build?
Both Bridgestone and Dunlop will construct three distinct dry weather compounds—soft, medium, and hard—for their respective classes.
Want to stay up to date with the latest motorsports developments and technical regulations? Drop a comment below with your thoughts on the end of the SUPER GT tyre war, or subscribe to our newsletter for regular paddock updates.
Keep reading