Inje GT Masters, Korea's only endurance racing championship, will launch its 2026 season opener on April 26 at Inje Speedium in Inje, Gangwon Province, beginning a six-month campaign.
Starting with the opening round on April 26, Inje GT Masters will run five rounds over six months through October. The first round is divided into five classes based on engine displacement: Masters 1, Masters 2, Masters 3, Masters N and Masters N-evo. A total of 30 cars and 69 drivers are scheduled to compete.
The event features qualifying in the morning, followed by a three-hour continuous final race in the afternoon. The three-hour final is decided not only by individual driver skill but by overall team strategy and operational capability. Pit stop timing and driver changes, based on tire wear and vehicle condition, are the main viewing points.
In this season's first round, attention is focused on the team of Kim Hyun-seok and Won Dae-han (Root Garage), who won every race last season in the Masters 1 class (naturally aspirated engines under 3,800cc and turbocharged engines under 2,000cc). "Endurance racing is a competition you can never win just by having one driver perform well," Kim said. "Through close communication with our teammates, we will demonstrate the operational artistry of authentic endurance racing by perfectly timing our pit stops and driver changes."
The Masters 3 class (naturally aspirated engines under 1,600cc) has drawn the largest number of entries, with fierce competition expected. In addition, the first round will be held alongside the "Kumho BMW M Class," which competes for the fastest lap time, and the "GR 86 Cup Track Day," offering fans a variety of attractions.
Lee Jung-min, chairman of the Inje GT Masters organizing committee, said, "We hope this event will establish itself as a championship that pursues the values of authentic endurance racing." He added, "We expect all participants to test their limits and showcase the appeal of endurance racing."
