Honda HRC leads after four hours of rain-affected Suzuka 8 Hours action

On Sunday, 5 July, a field of 50 teams lined up for the start of the 47th “Coca-Cola” Suzuka 8 Hours Endurance Race, one of the most prestigious events in international motorcycle racing, at the iconic 5.821 km Suzuka Circuit.

The day started with a 45-minute wet warm-up session, during which Honda HRC’s Jonathan Rea set the fastest lap in a time of 2’20.189.

The race got underway at 11:30 am local time under overcast skies, with an air temperature of 23°C and the track still wet from the morning rain.

The Honda HRC team started from Pole Position with Takumi Takahashi aboard the #30 CBR1000RR-R FIREBLADE SP. Takahashi made a good start but was passed by Naomichi Uramoto (AutoRace Ube Racing Team) at the first corner, before remaining in close contention for the lead throughout the opening stages.

The race has so far been heavily influenced by intermittent rain and several lengthy safety car periods, triggered by incidents and track conditions, requiring teams to constantly adapt their race strategies and pit-stop timing.

Honda HRC completed two pit stops during the opening four hours, with Takahashi ending his first 33-lap stint in the lead before handing over to Jonathan Rea. Rea consolidated Honda HRC’s lead until the end of lap 66, when he handed the #30 CBR1000RR-R FIREBLADE SP back to Takahashi.

At the end of the fourth hour, Takahashi entered for the third pit stop, on lap 92, to hand over to Rea once again. On lap 93, Rea leads Sylvain Guintoli (AutoRace Ube Racing Team) by around 22 seconds.