The Honda HRC team confirms two-rider lineup for the 46th edition of the Suzuka 8 Hours.
The Honda HRC team has confirmed a two-rider lineup for the 46th edition of the FIM Endurance World Championship “Coca-Cola” Suzuka 8 Hours Road Race.
Xavi Vierge will not be participating for procedural reasons.
Japanese rider Takumi Takahashi and Frenchman Johann Zarco will represent the factory Honda HRC team.
SUZUKA 8HOURS ESSENTIAL*
- Name: SUZUKA CIRCUIT
- Location: 7992 Ino-Cho, Suzuka-shi, Mie-ken 510-0295, Japan
- Track length: 5.821 kilometres
- Race distance: 8 hours
Official website Suzuka Circuit
Suzuka Circuit
Operated by Honda-owned Mobilityland, Suzuka features a unique figure-of-eight layout and presents a considerable challenge for riders thanks to its wide variety of corners.
Opened initially as a test track for the Japanese motor giant in 1962, the venue hosted the first edition of the famous Suzuka 8 Hours motorbike race in 1978, nine years before staging its first Japanese Formula One Grand Prix.
The Suzuka 8 Hours has been a popular feature on the FIM EWC calendar and a key fixture on the international calendar since with leading grand prix motorcycle racers taking part – and winning – over the years. The first edition of Suzuka 8 Hours was contested in July 1978.
Landmark dates of the Suzuka circuit
- September 1962: Opening of the Suzuka circuit
- 30 July 1978: the 1st edition of Suzuka 8 Hours won by the Americans Wes Cooley and Mike Baldwin (Suzuki Yoshimura)
- 1 August 1982: 1st Japanese victory at Suzuka with Shigeo Iijima and Shinji Hagiwara (Honda). The race was reduced to 6h due to a typhoon!
*Courtesy of EWC