Following the team's switch from Yokohama to Dunlop tyres, Mugen's #16 Honda NSX-GT had the best qualifying average of any GT500 team last year, taking pole at Autopolis and two other front row starts.
However, the team struggled to convert its qualifying prowess into race results, with Sasahara and Toshiki Oyu managing a best finish of fourth at Motegi en route to 14th out of 15 crews in the drivers' standings.
