Porsche 911 GT3 R AO Racing's "Bushi Rex" the ancient Samurai ancestor of Rexy 1:18
AO Racing captured a historic overall victory at the Suzuka 1000km on September 13, 2026, driving the samurai-liveried Bushi Rex No. 8 Porsche 911 GT3 R to end Porsche's 32-year drought at the Japanese circuit. Partnering with Absolute Racing for their Intercontinental GT Challenge debut, factory drivers Laurin Heinrich, Alessio Picariello, and Julien Andlauer faced a chaotic, damp-to-dry track filled with early safety car drama. The team stayed calm through the shifting conditions, letting their strategy and the raw pace of the Bushi Rex machine manifest as the race settled into its rhythm.
The turning point arrived during a brilliant middle stint when Heinrich unleashed a stunning charge, carving his way from fifth place up to the lead by passing multiple rivals in a breathless 45-minute spell. His decisive overtake on Christopher Mies' leading Ford Mustang broke the race open. As daylight faded toward dusk, faultless pit work and steady closing stints from Andlauer and Picariello protected the advantage. Bushi Rex crossed the finish line 51 seconds clear of the field, delivering an unforgettable Suzuka victory and etching a legendary new chapter for AO Racing..
To commemorate this historic triumph, Spark is releasing a spectacular 1:18 scale high-quality resin model of the victorious No. 8 Porsche 911 GT3 R. Capturing every precise detail of the stunning "Bushi Rex" samurai livery—from the stylized white dinosaur skeleton design down to the crossed katanas on the rear wing—this sealed-body model measures approximately 30cm long and represents Rexy’s ancient warrior ancestor. To make the replica even more authentic for collectors, Spark includes a premium acrylic display showcase and a miniature winner's pit board to mirror the car's exact 1st-place finishing position at Suzuka. Diecast enthusiasts can pre-order the limited-production masterpiece directly through Mint Models.