Goodyear Racing Notes – WEC 6 Hours of Fuji

Fuji Speedway provides the setting for the sixth round of the FIA World Endurance Championship this weekend, with all 18 LMGT3 cars set to compete on Goodyear Racing Eagles.

The Japanese circuit is a fast and technically challenging venue, with the longest straight of any permanent track on the calendar at 1.475 km. This long run from Turn 16 to the end of the straight at Turn 1 allows the front tires to cool considerably, before the following sequence of corners places significant lateral and longitudinal loads on the rear tires. Managing tire temperatures will therefore be an important consideration for teams throughout the six-hour race.

All LMGT3 entrants will race on the Goodyear Racing Eagle Medium compound this weekend, the same tire used in the opening five rounds of this season. Goodyear developed the tire to perform across a wide range of circuits and temperatures, including the full range of conditions that could greet the drivers, as is typical of Fuji’s unpredictable weather. Teams will also have access to the Goodyear Racing Eagle Wet tire in case of rain.

The Goodyear Racing Eagle Medium may support single-stint strategies this weekend, maximising performance from each set of tires rather than pursuing multi-stint strategies. The relatively low wear at Fuji may support extend stints, depending on race conditions when race conditions make it advantageous, particularly around safety car or full course yellow periods.

“Fuji’s track surface is relatively smooth, meaning overall wear is comparatively low,” said Stephen Bickley, Goodyear Endurance Program Manager. “This also means that managing heat and bringing the tires up to temperature can be more difficult, particularly at the start of a stint. Teams need to get the tires into their operating window quickly, and the quick warm-up characteristics of the Goodyear Racing Eagle Medium will help them do that.”

Fuji’s unpredictable weather also adds another layer to race strategy. Conditions can change quickly, making tire selection and pit stop timing particularly important.

“The weather can be a major factor at Fuji, so teams need to be prepared to react quickly,” Bickley added. “The wide operating window of the Goodyear Racing Eagle Medium gives drivers confidence across changing temperatures, while the Goodyear Racing Eagle Wet provides a solution should track running become affected by rain.”

Goodyear Racing Eagles are also in action this weekend in the NASCAR races at Kansas Speedway, in the NHRA Nationals at The Rock at Rockingham Dragway, and in the British Touring Car Championship at Silverstone.

Fast Facts
FIA World Endurance Championship
Race: 6 Hours of Fuji
Track: Fuji Speedway (4.56 km: 6 left turns, 10 right turns)
Location: Fuji, Japan
Date/Time: Sunday, September 27, 11 a.m. local time / 3 a.m. CEST / 10 p.m. ET (-1)
TV/Radio: FIAWEC+ (global), Eurosport (pan-Europe), HBO MAX (USA)

LMGT3
Tire: Goodyear Racing Eagle
Tire Specification: Eagle Medium
Previous usage: Imola, Spa, Le Mans, São Paulo, COTA (2026); Qatar, Imola, Spa, Le Mans, Fuji (2025); all FIA WEC rounds (2024)
Tire Measurements: (width mm / diameter mm / rim size in): 300/680/R18 front, 310/710/R18 rear
Total Dry Weather Tires: 44 (24 qualifying and race / 4 hyperpole / 16 free practice)
Total Wet Weather Tires: No limit