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Suzuka 8 Hours

Hafizh Syahrin Bakal Beraksi bersama Team Kagayama di Suzuka 8 Hours

Pelumba JDT Racing Team, Hafizh Syahrin Abdullah bakal membuat penampilan bersama pasukan Team Kagayama pada perlumbaan endurance Suzuka 8 Hours yang akan berlangsung di Litar Suzuka dari 19 hingga 21 Julai ini.

Beliau akan tetap menunggang jentera Ducati V4 R yang turut digunakan di dalam Kejuaraan Motosikal Asia (ARRC) pada tahun ini.

Pengesahan itu dimaklumkan pasukan JDT Racing Team dalam satu hantaran di akaun X mereka.

“Ucapan terima kasih kepada pemilik kami Tunku Ismail, Pemangku Sultan Johor kerana membolehkan kolaborasi dan ujian tertutup bersama Team Kagayama, yang juga mewakili pengeluar Ducati untuk Perlumbaan Endurance 8 Jam Suzuka pada Julai ini.

“Menaiki jentera pengeluar Ducati V4R. Sungguh satu pengalaman!,” kata pasukan berkenaan dalam hantarannya.

Hafizh yang menyertai saingan ARRC bersama JDT Racing Team pada tahun ini sudah mengumpul 45 mata dalam kelas Asia Superbike 1000cc (ASB1000) untuk berada di kedudukan ketiga keseluruhan menjelang perlumbaan di Motegi, hujung minggu ini.

Setakat dua pusingan lalu di Thailand dan China, Hafizh sudah membuktikan prestasinya bersama jentera Ducati Panigale V4R dengan meraih dua penamat di podium.

Kali pertama adalah di Perlumbaan 2 Pusingan 1 di Litar Antarabangsa Chang, Buriram, Thailand pada pertengahan Mac lalu yang menyaksikan dia menamatkan saingan di tempat kedua di belakang pelumba Honda Asia-Dream Racing with Astemo, Andi Farid Izdihar.

Momentum itu kemudian di bawa Hafizh ke Perlumbaan 1 Pusingan 2 di Litar Antarabangsa Zhuhai, China pada April lalu apabila menemui garisan penamat selaku pemenang.

Suzuki Kembali ke Suzuka 8 Hour

Suzuki akan kembali ke perlumbaan lasak (endurance) Suzuka 8 Hour (Suzuka 8 Jam), dengan satu perbezaan. Pengilang Jepun itu telah mengumumkan penarikan diri daripada sukan bermotor tetapi telah memutuskan untuk menyertai perlumbaan berprestij itu menggunakan bahan api mampan untuk jentera GSX-R1000 mereka.

Suzuka 8 Hour adalah sebahagian daripada kalendar Kejohanan FIM Endurance Dunia, yang turut menampilkan Kelas Eksperimen dalam perlumbaan. Kategori ini dikhaskan untuk motosikal yang tidak mematuhi norma kejuruteraan. Walau bagaimanapun, Suzuki GSX-R1000 untuk perlumbaan ini memang mematuhi norma tetapi akan menggunakan bahan api yang hanya sebahagiannya daripada asal bukan fosil.

Sebaliknya, kilang itu akan menggunakan bahanapi Elf Moto R40 FIM, yang terdiri daripada 40% bahan api sumber bio. Menariknya, pasukan Suzuki MotoGP telah mula menggunakan bahan api yang sama pada musim terakhir mereka dalam MotoGP 2022, seperti yang ditetapkan oleh FIM dan Dorna untuk kelas tersebut.

Bahan api itu nampaknya tidak menyebabkan sebarang pengurangan prestasi kerana beberapa motosikal adalah 14 saat lebih pantas dalam perlumbaan MotoGP 2024 pertama di Qatar, berbanding pada 2023.

Walaubagaimanapun, Suzuki masih belum mengesahkan barisan pelumba mereka. Pelumba lama mereka yang memenangi kejuaraan endurance, Sylvain Guintoli telah menandatangani dengan pasukan BMW Motorrad Motorsport WorldSBK sebagai pelumba ujian.

Suzuki akan menyertai perlumbaan di bawah sepanduk Team Suzuki CN Challenge, juga berpisah dengan rakan kongsi lama mereka Yoshimura SERT Motul Suzuki. Walau bagaimanapun, Yoshimura Jepun akan terus menjadi rakan kongsi teknikal dan berusaha menggunakan platform ini untuk membangunkan teknologi mampan dalam bidang peredam bunyi ekzos, tayar, minyak, fairing dan brek.

Suzuka 8 Hours 2024 dijadualkan pada 19 Julai 2024.

2024 Honda CBR600RR Breaks Cover At The Suzuka 8 Hours

Honda wowed motorcycle enthusiasts and racing fans alike as it unveiled its latest iteration of the CBR600RR at the prestigious 2023 Suzuka 8 Hours weekend.

The iconic Suzuka Circuitwitnessed the grand reveal during the 44th edition of the Fédération Internationale de Motocyclisme (FIM) Endurance World Championship last wekend.
The event serves as a homecoming for Honda, allowing the brand to showcase its cutting-edge engineering on familiar turf.

Enthusiasts attending the Suzuka 8 Hours race had the exclusive opportunity to experience the new Honda CBR600RR up close and personal at the dedicated Honda booth.

While comprehensive details about the updates are still under wraps, insiders suggest that this unveiling primarily addresses evolving emissions regulations in Japan. As the CBR600RR’s previous iteration predates the implementation of these stringent environmental norms, this refresh aims to align the beloved sportbike with the latest emission compliance requirements.

Amid concerns over potential impacts on power output due to emissions adjustments, historical precedents indicate that the alterations are unlikely to significantly impede the bike’s formidable performance. Honda’s track record of seamlessly integrating similar tweaks in previous models suggests that any changes in power dynamics will likely be subtle and expertly balanced.

Apart from the mechanical enhancements, the visual appeal of the new CBR600RR is set to captivate riders and onlookers alike. Honda has provided a tantalizing glimpse of the new aesthetic direction through shared images and videos.

The motorcycle dons a fresh Honda Racing Corporation (HRC) tricolor livery, exuding an air of racing prowess. Adding an air of mystique is the striking matte black variant that conjures images of a stealthy test mule wrap, underscoring the bike’s performance-oriented nature.

The Japanese market can expect both the dynamic tricolor livery and the enigmatic matte black version to be offered upon the formal announcement of the model’s release. However, the global palette remains a subject of speculation.

Family Confirms Gino Rea In Medically-Induced Coma After Suzuka 8 Hours Horrific Crash

English motorcycle racer, Gino Rea suffered a crashed during the second free practice at the 2022 Suzuka 8 Hours, last Saturday.

Gino Rea sustained a serious head injury during the second practice round at Suzuka.
The rider was flown to the nearest hospital for immediate medical attention with doctors kept Rea in medically-induced coma.

Medical personnel rushed to care the FCC TSR Honda France rider, but due to severe injuries, Rea was airlifted to a local hospital.

The team had earlier confirmed that the rider sustained a serious head injury due to the crash and remained in critical condition.

As a result, Rea is put under medically-induced coma for days.

International media tried to get a hold of Rea’s condition but due to the injury’s severity, no recent updates were collected.

However, Rea’s family has shared an update regarding the situation.

“We couldn’t make a post earlier due to the Japanese culture, as they do not release any news to media without the direct contact with the family first.

“We arrived in Japan on August 8 and 8pm with many thanks to the EWC, FIM, Suzuka Circuit, British Consulate, and TSR Racing Team for all the help in arranging emergency visas for us,” said Rea’s family in a statement.

The statement also explained that doctors kept the rider in medically-induced coma as an effort to reduce the swelling on his brain.

However, according to the family latest update via Rea’s official Instagram account, the rider showed a sign of recovery with reduced swelling after undergoing CT-Scan.

“He is in a stable condition and recovering from the usual side effects from such a trauma. We are looking forward to a speedy recovery from him as we all know he is capable of it,” the statement read.

Suzuki 8 Hours: BMW Motorrad To Make Official Debut In Japan

BMW Motorrad World Endurance Team is off to Japan for the third round of the FIM Endurance World Championship 2022.

BMW Motorrad to make official debut at the Suzuka 8 Hours.
The team will field Markus Reiterberger (GER), Ilya Mikhalchik (UKR) and Jérémy Guarnoni (FRA).

BMW Motorrad will debut at the Suzuka 8 Hours in great spirit having celebrated victory at the home race in ealry June.

Markus Reiterbger, Illya Mikhalchik and Jeremy Guarnoni will once again teamed up to ride the BMW M 1000 RR at Suzuka.

This will be BMW Motorrad World Endurance Team first appearance at the Suzuka 8 Hours after Covid-19 restriction prevented the team from taking part in the 8-hour race at Suzuka over the last two years.

“I am really looking forward to the Suzuka race. I’ve already been there twice with the Penz13 team, once for the test and once for the race.

“The track is breath-taking but very difficult to learn so it took us some time to get acquainted with it. Jérémy knew it already but for me it has been some time since I have been here and Ilya had not been here before at all.

“We then improved step by step, rode a lot and tested a lot of different things. We are still lacking a bit to the top teams but we don’t give up and continue or hard work. It will be an exhausting weekend,” said Reiterberger.

Zaqhwan Sedia Beraksi di Suzuka 8 Hours

Pelumba negara, Zaqhwan Zaidi kembali menyertai saingan Suzuka 8 Hours selepas dua tahun ia tidak dianjurkan disebabkan wabak COVID-19 yang melanda dunia.

Zaqhwan yang baru selesai menjalani ujian dua hari di Litar Suzuka, Jepun berkata, dia berpuas hati dengan keputusannya, lagi-lagi ini merupakan kali pertama pasukan Honda Asia-Dream Racing with SHOWA menguji jentera.

“Selesai dua hari ujian Suzuka 8 Hours,” kata Zaqhwan. “Gembira dapat kembali ke sini selepas dua tahun tidak berlumba di Suzuka. Terima kasih Honda Asia-Dream Racing with SHOWA kerana usaha gigih dilakukan.

“Ia bukan mudah buat kami kerana ini adalah motosikal baharu yang belum pernah kami uji sebelum ini tetapi saya percaya kami boleh menjadi lebih kuat pada minggu perlumbaan 8 jam nanti.”

Perlumbaan Suzuka 8 Hours 2022 kembali berada dalam kaledar FIM EWC dari 5 hingga 7 Ogos ini.

Pertandingan ini pernah menyaksikan nama besar sukan permotoran dua roda memenanginya seperti Wayne Rainey pada 1988, Eddie Lawson (1990), Mick Doohan (1991) dan Valentino Rossi (2001).

Dalam sesi ujian, Honda Asia-Dream Racing with SHOWA yang disertai Zaqhwan dan Gerry Salim menamatkan sesi ketiga dengan berada di kedudukan ke-14 sebelum ke-18 terpantas pada sebelah malam.

Here’s the Yamaha R7 in limited edition Suzuka 8 Hours livery

Yamaha R7 gets treated with limited edition Suzuka 8 Hours livery, which will be available as a bolt-on kit soon.

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Suzuka 8 Hours 2020 officially CANCELLED

Back in April, organisers of the Suzuka 8 Hours endurance race announced that the iconic event will be postponed to November. Thanks to upgraded travel restrictions into Japan, they’ve officially decided to cancel the race altogether as teams and riders outside of Japan won’t be able to enter the country. (more…)

2020 Suzuka 8 Hours postponed to November

The COVID-19 pandemic has been wreaking havoc all over the world, including the motorsports calendar. The latest victim to fall under the race cancellation/postponement list is the 2020 Suzuka 8 Hours endurance race, which was set to take place in July 2020 at the iconic Suzuka International Racing Course aka Suzuka Circuit. (more…)

Sepang 8 Hours Penuh Drama, YART Yamaha Muncul Juara Sulung

Selepas lebih lima jam perlumbaan diberhentikan, perlumbaan sulung Sepang 8 Hours akhirnya menyaksikan pasukan YART Yamaha muncul juara pertama di Litar Antarabangsa Sepang (SIC), hari ini.

Perlumbaan yang dijadualkan bermula pada jam 1 tengah hari tadi terpaksa ditunda sehingga lewat petang susulan hujan lebat.

Meskipun terdapat beberapa tinjauan dilakukan oleh kesemua 50 pelumba dengan pemantauan ‘Safety Car’ namun keadaan hujan yang tidak berhenti memaksa perlumbaan ditunda sehingga jam enam petang.

Bagaimanapun, perlumbaan dalam kalendar FIM Endurance World Championship (EWC) ini terpaksa dimulakan dengan pengemudian Safety Car sekaligus ketiadaan permulaan ikonik yang memerlukan pelumba berlari ke jentera masing-masing.

Sebaik dimulakan selepas beberapa pusingan, berlaku insiden perlanggaran melibatkan pelumba Petronas SIC, Michael van der Mark dan Mike Di Meglio dari pasukan F.C.C. TSR Honda France.

FCC TSR Honda France kemudian medahului baki perlumbaan sebelum Di Meglio terbabas lantas membuka peluang kepada YART Yamaha yang diterajui Niccolo Canepa, Broc Parks dan Karel Hanika.

Tempat kedua jadi milik pasukan Honda Asia Dream Racing With Show diikuti BMW Motorrad EWC ketiga.

Sementara itu, PETRONAS SIC Racing Team yang diterajui Michael van der Mark, Franco Morbidelli dan Hafizh Syahrin terpaksa berpuas hati dikedudukan kesembilan.

Pada masa sama, Hafizh, selaku pelumba ketiga, tidak dapat turun beraksi gara-gara perlumbaan bermula lewat.

Will Ducati Corse Join with Ducati Panigale V4 R in the Endurance World Championship and Suzuka 8-Hour?

Will a Ducati Corse factory team join the Endurance World Championship and Suzuka 8-Hours?
The manufacturer is now supporting privateer teams in the championship.
Ducati didn’t shoot down the idea but outlined that it’ll be a large challenge should they decide to.

Ducati obtained significant results in their comeback bid in the WorldSBK with the Ducati Panigale V4 R (Alvaro Bautista’s cock ups notwithstanding) this season. But will a factory Ducati Corse team join the Endurance World Championship and Suzuka 8-Hours?

The designer of the Ducati 916, the late-Massimo Tamburini had envisioned to race his creation in endurance events including the prestigious Suzuka 8-Hours. That’s why he gave the bike a single-sided swingarm. In fact, he admitted that the 916’s swingarm was heavier than the regular twin-spar swingarms of its contemporaries, but it facilitates faster rear wheel changes.

The design became a Ducati signature and tradition which is carried on all the way to the latest high-end Panigales including the Ducati Panigale V4 R.

Point is, endurance racing is missing in Ducati’s motorsports dossier.

Italian magazine GPOne.com spoke to Ducati Corse Sporting Director, Paolo Ciabatti about such prospects. Ciabatti didn’t kill the idea outright but gave a “not yet.”

The 2020 EWC season has begun and Ducati will participate only in a supporting role.

“In my opinion, if we ever decide to participate in the Suzuka 8-Hours in an official way at Ducati, it will be our own project which will require a great deal of effort,” he told GPOne. “We have to plan test on the track when it is available; we have to field the best riders available in the Ducati family; and then we have to think that to win there, the Bridgestone tyres must be used.”

“A challenge in the challenge. It is fascinating, but if Ducati decides to participate, it will do so to fight for victory.”

What he meant by “our own project” means that it’ll be Ducati Corse factory effort and not in partner with endurance race teams.

Sources: GPOne via Asphalt & Rubber