Team HRC conducts long run test in race-hot conditions on the final day of test at Suzuka
On July 6, Day 2 of joint tests for the 44th edition of the Endurance World Championship (EWC) “Coca-Cola” Suzuka 8 Hours Endurance Road Race (Suzuka 8 Hours) concluded a two-day session at the Suzuka Circuit.
On day 2 the participating bikes were again divided into groups A and B. A 70-minute Session 5 for each group was held in the morning, followed by a similar 70-minute Session 6 in the afternoon.
Unlike the previous day, conditions were hot in the morning with strong sunshine and soaring temperatures. 33℃ highs were forecast, but at Suzuka Circuit, heat reflected from the track surface and generated from the engines added to the scorching environment. Track temperature reached 55°C in the morning, and rose to 60°C in the afternoon, creating test conditions similar to the race itself.
In Session 5, Astemo Honda Dream SI Racing (Kosuke Sakumoto / Ryo Mizuno / Kazuma Watanabe) was third-fastest with 2 min 7.958s, F.C.C. TSR Honda France (Josh Hook / Mike Di Meglio / Alan Techer) was fourth with 2 min 7.891s, and Team HRC (Takumi Takahashi / Iker Lecuona / Xavi Vierge / Tetsuta Nagashima) was fifth-fastest with 2 min 7.791s. SDG Honda Racing (Teppei Nagoe / Naomichi Uramoto / Yuki Kunii) was sixth with 2 min 7.940s. Honda Asia-Dream Racing with SHOWA (Md Zaqhwan Bin Zaidi / Andi Farid Izdihar / Nakarin Atiratphuvapat) was eleventh-fastest with 2 min 8.499s.
In Session 6, Team HRC’s Nagashima led the way with a 2 min 6.077s lap (fastest time in the two-day combined classification), followed by Astemo Honda Dream SI Racing with 2 min 6.638s, and F.C.C. TSR Honda France with 2 min 6.811s. SDG Honda Racing was fourth-fastest with 2 min 7.254s, Honda Dream RT SAKURAI Honda (Kazuki Ito / Daijiro Hiura / Kota Arakawa) was seventh with 2 min 7.895s, and Team ATJ (Satoru Iwata / Yuki Takahashi / Tomoyoshi Koyama) was tenth with 2 min 8.271s. Honda had six teams in the top 10 for the session.
Team HRC focused on long run tests, giving its riders a good feel for the bike. With ambient and track temperatures rising, the test was held in conditions similar to the actual race, allowing the team to accumulate valuable data. The team also performed race-condition pit work, preparing the crew for the race.
Honda aims for back-to-back wins in the Suzuka 8 Hours following last year, and if successful, Takahashi will tie Toru Ukawa’s five Suzuka 8 Hours victories.
Fastest session times (Wednesday 5 July):
Session 1, Group A: Team HRC, 2m06.258s
Session 1, Group B: Astemo Honda Dream SI Racing, 2m07.730s
Session 2, Group A: Team HRC, 2m08.054s
Session 2, Group B: YART Yamaha Official Team EWC, 2m22.908s
Session 3, Group A: Team Sakurai Honda, 2m22.451s
Session 3, Group B: Yoshimura SERT Motul, 2m23.359s
Fastest session times (Thursday 6 July):
Session 1, Group A: F.C.C. TSR Honda France, 2m07.791s
Session 1, Group B: YART Yamaha Official Team EWC, 2m06.813s
Session 2, Group A: Team HRC, 2m06.077s
Session 2, Group B: Astemo Honda Dream SI Racing, 2m06.638s
Day 1 and Day 2 combined:
1: Team HRC, 2m06.077s
2: Astemo Honda Dream SI Racing, 2m06.683s
3: F.C.C. TSR Honda France, 2m06.811s
4: YART Yamaha Official Team EWC, 2m06.813s
5: SDG Honda Racing, 2m07.254s
6: Honda Dream RT Sakurai Honda, 2m07.895s
@courtesy of FIM EWC
All sessions results (Japanese)
Takumi Takahashi 33
I rode in the previous session, so the other three riders went on long runs. I didn't have as much time on track as I thought I would, so I wanted more for today’s sessions as the conditions were closer to the race, but the other team riders did a great job, so I am positive for the race. I get many questions about winning my fifth Suzuka 8 Hours this year, but for me, I would rather concentrate on winning each and every race rather than focusing on my record. I will give it all I have so we can win again this year.
Private: Iker Lecuona 33
I did a long run in the morning, but my feeling wasn’t as good compared to last year, and I could not reach the average time I wanted. Compared to yesterday, today we are close to where we were last year, so I am not that worried. I will make adjustments for the race weekend and make sure I reach my target times. I still remember the thrill of last year's victory, and I will do my best to experience that joy once again.
Xavi Vierge 33
I had the impression that the bike was a bit difficult to ride because the seat position was different from the previous test. I could not reach my target time and could not keep my average at a consistent level. The large number of bikes on track and the heat did not help, but I think that the experience of this run was important for the race. I was not a rider in last year’s race but supported everyone in the pits, so I have a strong desire to race. This year, I want to celebrate winning with everyone, and I am proud to be on a team that can do that. I look forward to the race and I’ll be back.
Tetsuta Nagashima 33
For me, the main purpose of the test was to check my physical condition. I think today was fulfilling as I was able to do long runs and record the fastest time. I think I was able to do all the things a rider is expected to do. There is about a month between now and the race, so I will keep focused and continue to improve my physical condition. This Suzuka 8 Hours is the only race I have a chance to compete in this year, so I want to do whatever it takes to race. I did my best to get selected by the team. I hope to make solid contributions to the team like last year and win the race.
Location Information
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.… read more.
7992 Inoucho, Suzuka, Mie, Japan - View in Google Maps
Records
| POLE POSITION RECORD | 2'04.934s Team HRC - Tetsuta Nagashima - Honda CBR1000RR-R SP (2022) |
| RACE RECORD | 2'06.805s Kawasaki Racing Team - Jonathan Rea - Kawasaki ZX10RR (2019) |
