The Super Taikyu Organisation (STO) announced on Monday that the opening round of the 2020 Pirelli Super Taikyu Series at Suzuka Circuit, scheduled for 21-22 March, has been postponed until the end of the season, as the latest in a number of sporting events in Japan that have been postponed or called off in the wake of the Coronavirus outbreak.

It now means that the series’ opening round will be the doubleheader race meeting at Sportsland Sugo, on 25-26 April. The Suzuka round will be moved to a new date in late November or early December.

This weekend, the Autobacs Super GT Series announced that the first official test at Okayama International Circuit would not be open to spectators, and talks will take place to determine if the season-opening race at Okayama on 12 April will be held as scheduled.

Meanwhile, official testing was held as planned on Saturday at Fuji Speedway. Fans were permitted to attend and take photos at trackside but were not allowed into the paddock area.

Nissan legend Satoshi Motoyama was fastest in the ST-X class, driving the #300 Tairoku Racing GT-R GT3. Yuya Motojima scored the fastest time in the ST-Z class, driving the #23 TKRI Mercedes-AMG GT4.

Updated 2020 Pirelli Super Taikyu Series Calendar (as of 29 February)

26 April – Sportsland Sugo

6-7 June – NAPAC Fuji Super TEC 24 Hours

2 August – Autopolis International Racing Course

20 September – Twin Ring Motegi

1 November – Okayama International Circuit

TBA – Suzuka Circuit

Feature image courtesy of the Super Taikyu Organisation (STO)