The Suzuka 10 Hour has been dropped from this year’s Intercontinental GT Challenge calendar due to COVID-19 restrictions, with a Middle Eastern event to take its place.

As was the case when last year’s Japanese round of the IGTC was cancelled, circuit owner Mobilityland Corporation has made the decision, due to domestic and international travel restrictions.

“It is with sadness and disappointment that I confirm the Suzuka 10 Hours will not take place this year,” said Stephane Ratel, CEO of the SRO group which runs the IGTC.

“The race is a true highlight of the international endurance calendar and one we look forward to returning to in 2022.

“But out of this disappointment also comes an opportunity, and there are several in the Middle East that we are currently considering.

“I am really looking forward to seeing Intercontinental GT Challenge racing in a new region later this year.”

Suzuka would have played host on August 20-22 and therefore been Round 2 of the season, after the 24 Hours of Spa on July 29-August 1.

Indianapolis and Kyalami are the other circuits currently locked into the calendar, while a date for the Suzuka replacement has not yet been decided.

The Bathurst 12 Hour, which customarily opens the IGTC campaign, did not go ahead this year due to Australia’s international travel restrictions but is slated to return in 2022 as part of a fresh, four-year deal between Supercars and Destination NSW.

The slot at Mount Panorama was instead used for the Repco Supercars Championship season-opener, as a stand-in for the Newcastle 500 which will swap from curtain-closer to curtain-raiser status when it comes back next year.