The Suzuka 8 Hours Endurance Street Race (Suzuka 8 Hours), a midsummer pageant, can be held once more this yr. Final yr’s Suzuka 8 Hours was massively profitable, because it was the primary time in three years the occasion was held as a result of COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 – 21. With out final yr’s spectator restrictions, this yr’s occasion guarantees to be much more thrilling, again to pre-pandemic ranges. Honda has gained the Suzuka 8 Hours 28 instances, together with 10 consecutive wins from 1997 to 2006. In 1997 Shinichi Itoh / Tohru Ukawa using the RVF/RC45 grew to become the primary Japanese pair to win because the occasion grew to become an everyday fixture. In 2002, Daijiro Kato and Colin Edwards, using a VTR1000SPW, succeeded in lowering the variety of pit stops from the same old seven to 6, setting a brand new report of 219 laps, probably the most laps accomplished, which has by no means since been damaged. Final yr, Honda’s manufacturing facility staff, Workforce HRC (Takumi Takahashi, Tetsuta Nagashima, and Iker Lecuona) was shaped, and gave Honda its first victory since 2014 in a dominating method, lapping all different bikes. Tetsuta Nagashima Again from Harm Two joint assessments had been held in June and early July, in preparation for the race in August. Workforce HRC introduced the CBR1000RR-R FIREBLADE SP to those assessments. Riders for the staff had been introduced earlier than the July assessments: Takumi Takahashi, competing within the All Japan Street Race Championship ST1000 class, and Superbike World Championship (WSBK) riders Xavi Vierge and Iker Lecuona. These three, plus HRC take a look at rider Tetsuta Nagashima, made up the 4 riders for the take a look at.
Tetsuta Nagashima(Workforce HRC with Japan Submit)
Nagashima was injured throughout a take a look at at Suzuka in April, and was anticipated to be race-fit in 6 months; there was little hope for him to race within the Suzuka 8 Hours in August, however he was in a position to take part within the joint take a look at at his request. All eyes had been on Nagashima to see if he would be capable of carry out at Suzuka 8 Hours degree. Nagashima had not ridden in two months, however as quickly as he entered the monitor, he set a powerful lap time of two min 6.077s, the quickest total for the two-day take a look at. Nagashima additionally accomplished an entire stint take a look at, demonstrating his full readiness as a Suzuka 8 Hours rider. Right now, HRC was planning to interchange Alex Rins with Lecuona within the MotoGP British GP, which was to be held on the identical weekend because the Suzuka 8 Hours, and was about to decide relying on Nagashima’s efficiency. Tetsuhiro Kuwata, Normal Supervisor of HRC’s race administration, commented, “It was very troublesome to pick the riders for this yr’s Suzuka 8 Hours. Irrespective of which rider we chosen, I consider they’re riders who will ship strong outcomes. On the time of entry, there have been considerations about Tetsuta Nagashima’s restoration from his damage, however judging from his efficiency within the official take a look at and his bodily situation afterwards, we judged that he could be advantageous for the race. Due to this fact, we had been in a position to ship Lecuona to the MotoGP British GP instead of Rins.” On July 25, Japan Submit Co., Ltd. was introduced as a brand new staff companion, full with staff title change to Workforce HRC with Japan Submit. The staff riders for the Suzuka 8 Hours was formally determined as Takahashi, Nagashima, and Vierge, and these three riders will goal to defend the staff’s Suzuka 8 Hours crown.
Takumi Takahashi(Workforce HRC with Japan Submit)
Takahashi Goals to Equal File of 5 Wins, Vierge Prepares for his First Suzuka 8 Hours The report for probably the most wins by a rider within the Suzuka 8 Hours is 5, presently held by Honda manufacturing facility rider Tohru Ukawa. If Takahashi wins this yr, he’ll tie the report. “There isn’t a level in placing stress on myself to win, so I simply wish to take into consideration profitable, like I all the time do,” mentioned Takahashi. All eyes can be on him to see if he can equal the report. Nagashima mentioned, “I believed the Suzuka 8 Hours was the one race I may enter this yr, so I’m completely happy to have the ability to take part. I’ll give it every little thing I’ve, and goal to win once more. I additionally wish to assist Takahashi break his personal report.” Vierge, who was a reserve rider finally yr’s Suzuka 8 Hours staring up at his teammates on the highest of the rostrum, mentioned, “I’m trying ahead to racing this yr.”
F.C.C. TSR Honda France
A Essential Spherical for the EWC Title The Suzuka 8 Hours is being held because the third spherical of the FIM Endurance World Championship (EWC), contested over 4 rounds this season. In contrast to the Suzuka 8 Hours, Le Mans, Spa-Francorchamps, and Bol d’Or are all 24-hour endurance races. The Suzuka 8 Hours, after all, can also be an necessary spherical for groups aiming for the collection title. F.C.C. TSR Honda France, the 2022 EWC collection champion, can be represented by its standard riders Josh Hook, Mike Di Meglio, and Alan Techer. The staff was on the rostrum in each rounds to date, profitable the opening spherical, the 24 Hours of Le Mans, and ending second in Spherical 2, the 24 Hours of Spa. They enter the Suzuka 8 Hours in second place within the championship standings, one level behind the factors chief.
SDG Honda Racing
All-Japan & Asian Championships Groups Vying for High Positions SDG Honda Racing, its father or mother firm being HARC-PRO., a profitable staff on the Suzuka 8 Hours, can be represented as soon as once more by Teppei Nagoe (All-Japan JSB1000 class) and Naomichi Uramoto (Spanish Superbike Championship), however Yuki Kunii, who moved as much as the All-Japan ST1000 class was injured throughout coaching and can miss the race. In his place, Haruki Noguchi (Asia Street Racing Championship (ARRC) ASB1000 class) joined the staff finally minute, to compete within the Suzuka 8 Hours for the primary time. The three promising future stars in bike racing can be aiming for the highest positions.
Honda Asia-Dream Racing with SHOWA
Honda Asia-Dream Racing with SHOWA, presently competing within the FIM Asia Street Racing Championship Asia Superbike 1000 (ASB1000) class, can be represented by Md Zaqhwan Bin Zaidi, Andi Farid Izdihar, and ARRC Supersports 600 (ASS600) class rider Nakarin Atiratphuvapat. Zaidi was final yr’s ASB1000 champion, and each Izdihar and Atiratphuvapat are effectively versed in racing abroad. ARRC is on the rise, and the highest Asian riders wish to show themselves on the Suzuka 8 Hours.
Astemo Honda Dream SI Racing
Astemo Honda Dream SI Racing, led by the legendary four-time Suzuka 8 Hours winner Shinichi Itoh, can be represented by All-Japan JSB1000 class riders Kosuke Sakumoto and Ryo Mizuno, and ST1000 class V2 champion Kazuma Watanabe. TOHO Racing’s lineup contains All-Japan JSB1000 rider Ryuichi Kiyonari, and ST1000 riders Takuma Kunimine and Ikuhiro Enokido. Kiyonari has gained 4 Suzuka 8 Hours and can tie the report for many wins if he wins this occasion. Workforce ATJ can be represented by Satoru Iwata (JSB1000), Yuki Takahashi (ST1000), and Tomoyoshi Koyama (ST600). Takahashi and Koyama have expertise within the World Street Race Championship and are always in rivalry for the All-Japan title. Honda DREAM RT Sakurai Honda could have Kazuki Itoh, who joined the staff this season and began competing in All-Japan JSB1000 class, Daijiro Hiura, a Suzuka specialist, and Kota Arakawa, the 2022 All-Japan ST600 champion who moved as much as ST1000 this season, aiming for larger positions. TTS Racing MurayamaUnso Honda Dream can be represented by Kosuke Akiyoshi, who has gained the Suzuka 8 Hours 3 times, Yoshihiro Konno, and Sho Hasegawa.
Takumi Takahashi 33 Workforce HRC with Japan Submit Nagashima is my teammate from final yr, and he developed the bike for us, so he is aware of this bike higher than anybody else, which is a bonus. Our two WSBK riders are quick, and there’s a lot I can be taught from them. So, I knew that every little thing could be advantageous regardless of who I’d be teaming up with. Now that now we have finalized our riders, the three of us will work collectively to construct a robust relationship of belief and tackle the problem. There may be a number of stress as everybody takes us profitable with no consideration, however I wish to flip that into my energy. I do not care concerning the report, I simply wish to concentrate on profitable.
Tetsuta Nagashima 33 Workforce HRC with Japan Submit I nonetheless cannot neglect the thrill of final yr’s victory. It was a race that I had longed to win since I used to be a baby, and I could not consider that I used to be proper there on the center podium. I wish to expertise that emotion once more this yr, and I hope that the kids of immediately will really feel the longing I felt as a baby from our race. I’m grateful to have the ability to take part on this race. I’ll do my greatest in order that the staff can be glad that they made the precise resolution. I respect Takumi [Takahashi], and I’ve recognized Vierge since he was racing within the Spanish Championship. The three of us will work collectively to win the race once more.
Xavi Vierge 33 Workforce HRC with Japan Submit It’s a nice honor for me to race within the Suzuka 8 Hours as a Honda manufacturing facility rider. Takahashi is an skilled rider who has gained the Suzuka 8 Hours 4 instances, and I’ve recognized Nagashima for a very long time, so I’m completely happy to have the ability to race with them. Final yr, I used to be the reserve rider and simply watched everybody else’s race, which was a bit disappointing. However this yr I can experience with them, so I hope to make a strong contribution.
Josh Hook 1 F.C.C. TSR Honda France I am actually trying ahead to coming again to Suzuka. It is certainly one of my favourite tracks and the house monitor for TSR and Honda, so it is a circuit I actually like and the bikes work effectively right here. The staff and crew have all accomplished an ideal job to date this season. So I’m trying ahead to the race at Suzuka much more. I’m actually trying ahead to assembly the Japanese followers and racing at Suzuka once more.
Mike Di Meglio 1 F.C.C. TSR Honda France Our 2023 season is off to an ideal begin with a win on the 24 Hours of Le Mans. The staff has labored very laborious this winter to make us extra aggressive. The bike’s efficiency has improved and the crew is working sooner. Suzuka is all the time a particular place and it’s a dream to be on the rostrum. It’s a particular race for the staff and for Honda, so we are going to do our greatest togo as quick as doable.
Alan Techer 1 F.C.C. TSR Honda France I’m very completely happy to have the ability to race on this yr’s Suzuka 8 Hours, particularly with the F.C.C. TSR Honda France staff. This season has began effectively with a win on the 24 Hours of Le Mans and a second place on the 24 Hours of Spa. The staff is working very effectively and my teammates are very quick. After this legendary race, we are going to do every little thing in our energy to begin the ultimate spherical because the factors chief.
Teppei Nagoe 73 SDG Honda Racing I’m very completely happy to have the ability to take part within the Suzuka 8 Hours once more this yr with SDG Honda Racing. Final yr, I used to be not in a position to race in excellent situation as a result of my damage, and I used to be additionally concerned in a crash with one other bike early within the race, which was irritating. This yr, I’ll do my greatest to win the race along with SDG Showa Denki Group, Honda with its lengthy historical past within the 8 Hours, and HARC-PRO.
Naomichi Uramoto 73 SDG Honda Racing To begin with, I’m completely happy to have the ability to race within the Suzuka 8 Hours once more this yr, and I want to thank everybody concerned with SDG Honda Racing, together with the SDG Showa Denki Group and HARC-PRO. Final yr we had a really disappointing consequence, however we had the velocity to goal for high positions, so this yr we are going to focus and do our greatest as a staff in order that we are able to translate that into outcomes.
Haruki Noguchi 73 SDG Honda Racing I’m a last-minute entrant within the Suzuka 8 Hours. I’ll be part of the staff from race week, however I’ll do my greatest to contribute to the staff. I want Yuki Kunii a speedy restoration.
Md Zaqhwan Bin Zaidi 88 Honda Asia-Dream Racing with SHOWA To me, the Suzuka 8 Hours is a really particular race. It’s a robust race, however I wish to struggle laborious to indicate what I can do and goal for the highest positions. Throughout the race week, the three of us will work collectively to additional enhance the bike’s settings and goal for a top-five end, which is the staff’s purpose.
Andi Farid Izdihar 88 Honda Asia-Dream Racing with SHOWA I’m completely happy to have the ability to strive the Suzuka 8 Hours. I began using ASB1000 this yr, so it was an ideal expertise for me to have the ability to experience the Suzuka Circuit effectively within the assessments. There are nonetheless issues I wish to examine and take a look at, so I’ll spend the race week properly and attempt to make it into the highest 5.