YRT and YART men look towards Suzuka 8 Hours

2025 Suzuka 8 Hours

Yamaha look to the race

Yamaha Racing Crew (YRT) and the Yamalube YART Yamaha EWC Official Crew (YART) continued preparations for the 2025 Suzuka 8 Hours with a stable displaying through the official take a look at held on July 30 at Suzuka Circuit. Each squads ran constantly close to the entrance throughout the day’s 5 classes, ending second and third general within the mixed standings.

The forty sixth version of the “Coca-Cola” Suzuka 8 Hours carries additional which means for Yamaha this 12 months. YRT and YART will share the observe in matching liveries to commemorate Yamaha’s seventieth anniversary—a nod to the model’s historical past and its long-standing involvement in endurance racing.

Yamaha’s manufacturing unit presence at Suzuka dates again to 1984 with the TECH21 Crew. The producer claimed 4 wins previous to 2002, earlier than shifting to a help function for European groups within the FIM Endurance World Championship (EWC).

In 2015, Yamaha returned with a full manufacturing unit effort to mark its sixtieth anniversary, a transfer that kicked off a profitable interval with 4 extra victories between 2015 and 2018.

After pandemic-related cancellations in 2020 and 2021, and the manufacturing unit group’s absence from 2022 to 2024, YRT returns to Suzuka in 2025 with a special-edition YZF-R1. The bike options the #21 and a livery impressed by the 1999 YZF-R7.

YRT’s line-up of Jack Miller, Andrea Locatelli, and Katsuyuki Nakasuga resumed preparations after a non-public take a look at final month. The group posted occasions of two’07.143 (fifth) and a couple of’07.062 (4th in EWC) within the first two classes. They improved in Session 3 with a 2’07.258 (third in EWC), earlier than setting their finest lap of the day in Session 4 with a 2’05.981. A 2’06.716 within the ultimate session secured them second and third positions in Periods 4 and 5, with their quickest time inserting them second general—simply 0.336 seconds off the tempo.

Jack Miller – Yamaha Racing Crew

“It was good to get again within the swing of issues on the R1. , you assume that you’ve turn into comfy with it, however then you definitely journey the M1 for a couple of weeks, and also you come again to the R1, and it feels fully overseas once more. However it was a optimistic day for us – all of the boys are going very properly, and I feel that usually our tempo is basically good.The observe was in respectable situation. We at the moment are getting used to using with quite a lot of visitors on the observe, however this is part of Suzuka 8 Hours. Like I stated, we’re simply getting used to all the things once more.”

Andrea Locatelli – Yamaha Racing Crew

“First day again in Japan, and I used to be fairly pleased using the bike once more – we did an excellent job immediately. In contrast to the take a look at, we now additionally must take care of the visitors on observe, however this was an excellent studying expertise and an excellent alternative to organize for the race. We additionally set an excellent lap time, so I’m fairly pleased with all the things, and let’s see. For the race weekend, I feel we may be sooner and combat for the win – we have to belief on this. We are going to see, however in the mean time it appears to be like like all the things is working rather well. We’re fairly pleased, and all three of us are doing properly. So, we attempt to maintain going this fashion and revel in this particular summer season in Suzuka.”

Katsuyuki Nakasuga – Yamaha Racing Crew

“We’ve lastly entered race week. Right this moment’s using session ran from 9 a.m. to six p.m., making for a protracted day on the observe. Within the sizzling circumstances, we have been in a position to journey constantly and achieve priceless perception into how the bike performs in excessive temperatures. Similar to the earlier take a look at, it turned out to be a really productive day. Personally, I had a crash through the earlier take a look at, which restricted my time on the bike. That’s why immediately, I targeted on checking my bodily situation and regaining a constant using rhythm all through the day. With the ability to affirm each was a big step ahead for me. The opposite two riders on the group have been additionally using very properly, which provides me a robust sense of confidence. I’m dedicated to enhancing my base lap time even additional and, along with the group, I wish to give all the things we’ve received to combat by race week. Finally, our purpose is to realize a robust outcome within the race and goal for the highest as a united group. We’ll proceed making ready collectively to make that occur.”

Wataru Yoshikawa – Yamaha Racing Crew Supervisor

“We had using classes from morning till night immediately, underneath circumstances as intense as we are able to anticipate from the race day. Luckily, there have been no points, and all three riders have been in a position to full their session easily. This was our second take a look at with all three riders collectively. Based mostly on the problems from the earlier take a look at and Jack’s suggestions, we carried out a number of enhancements and efficiently aligned the bike settings. Though there have been a number of pink flags – and to be trustworthy, we’d have preferred extra time to get additional accustomed to the bike – we nonetheless really feel that we achieved significant progress. Looking forward to the race, we have been in a position to affirm sure situations we had anticipated. That stated, we do really feel that extra time is required. However, we’re benefiting from the time obtainable, and preparations are progressing properly. As we transfer into qualifying and the ultimate race, we’ll must additional enhance our lap occasions. Particularly, we’ll proceed working laborious to make sure we are able to ship sturdy lap occasions in qualifying. Every rider possesses a excessive degree of ability, and we’ve full confidence in them.”

YART got here into the take a look at main the 2025 EWC standings following a win on the Le Mans 24 Heures Motos and a third-place end on the Spa 8 Hours. With 35 factors on supply at Suzuka and 65 extra on the Bol d’Or in September, the title race stays open, and the group stays targeted.

YART has latest momentum at Suzuka, having earned their first pole since 2012 in final 12 months’s occasion and finishing 220 laps—equal to the successful group—earlier than ending second after time penalties have been factored in. That efficiency marked their first-ever Suzuka podium.

Their 2025 rider trio—Marvin Fritz, Karel Hanika, and Jason O’Halloran—made regular progress by the day. YART topped Session 1 with a 2’06.630 and posted occasions of two’07.340 (Session 2, sixth EWC), 2’07.550 (Session 3, fifth EWC), 2’06.959 (Session 4, fifth), and a couple of’06.489 (Session 5, 2nd). Their finest lap positioned them third general, 0.844 seconds behind the leaders.

Marvin Fritz – Yamalube YART Yamaha EWC Official Crew

“It was an excellent day. Actually, we have been a bit confused after the take a look at we had right here in June, however immediately each step we made was in the fitting route, which was very optimistic, and on the finish, the race tempo was fairly sturdy. I did a 2’06.8 for the race tempo, and I feel it was a second sooner than I ever did for the race tempo, and the remainder of the laps have been all low 2’07s. After all, we have been unfortunate with the pink flag this afternoon. However, general, we didn’t go for a time assault like the opposite groups, so we simply targeted totally on the race tempo. After all, the principle goal is to beat our important rivals. We’re feeling fairly assured and pleased after immediately, and I feel it’s vital to start out like this additionally through the race weekend on Friday.”

Karel Hanika – Yamalube YART Yamaha EWC Official Crew

“I feel it was an excellent day general. We did fairly a couple of laps, and we in contrast some issues to what we did through the take a look at we did right here in June. We undoubtedly made a step ahead as a result of the sensation was higher, so I’m fairly pleased about that. The group did an excellent job, and I’m pleased I did one future, no less than, as a result of immediately that was fairly tough with all of the pink flags. The race tempo was additionally fairly respectable, so very pleased about that. For positive, there are nonetheless a couple of issues to work on for Friday, Saturday, and primarily the race on Sunday, however I feel we aren’t removed from the place we wish to be with our tempo and with our efficiency. So, I’m very pleased. Good job by my group and teammates, and I’m wanting ahead to the race weekend.”

Jason O’Halloran – Yamalube YART Yamaha EWC Official Crew

“Right this moment was an excellent day. We improved the sensation on the bike and the lap time from the take a look at. I had a very good final run. My quickest lap here’s a 2’06.4s, which is sort of good, and I actually loved it. We’ve got a ‘day without work’ tomorrow, after which we come again and begin the race week preparations. I feel we’re in an excellent place – all three of us are fairly quick. I’m wanting ahead to the following few days.”

Mandy Kainz – Yamalube YART Yamaha EWC Official Crew Supervisor

“It was a fairly optimistic day. I feel we discovered lastly the fitting route for our bike, and made a greater tyre selection, and we had no issues all day. We simply focused on the race tempo, and I feel we discovered an excellent means. I feel we’re prepared for the race occasion. We had many, many pink flags immediately. However lastly, we may make our full programme, and each rider accomplished a future. It was a optimistic day. I feel additionally the riders at the moment are very pleased and motivated. They’re able to combat.”

Elsewhere within the EWC subject, the Elf Marc VDS Racing Crew/KM99 trio of Florian Marino, Randy de Puniet, and Jérémy Guarnoni recorded stable mid-field outcomes, together with a finest time of two’07.830 in Session 4, which positioned them sixteenth within the mixed standings.

Within the Superstock (SST) class, NCXX RACING with RIDERS CLUB led the Yamaha groups. Their finest lap—a 2’10.346 in Session 1—put them thirty fourth general (EWC and SST mixed) and seventh within the Superstock class.

2025 Suzuka 8 Hours
Wednesday Apply Instances

Pos	Crew	Cat	Time
1	Honda HRC	EWC	2m05.645
2	Yamaha YRT	EWC	2m05.981
3	YART Yamaha	EWC	2m06.489
4	Yoshimura SERT	EWC	2m06.559
5	BMW Motorrad	EWC	2m06.728
6	Astemo Honda	EWC	2m06.940
7	SDG-Ducati	EWC	2m06.967
8	TeamATJ	EWC	2m07.042
9	AutoRace Ube	EWC	2m07.137
10	SDG HARC-PRO	EWC	2m07.158
11	FCC TSR Honda	EWC	2m07.474
12	Suzuki CN	EXP	2m07.492
13	ERC Endurance	EWC	2m07.587
14	Honda Sakurai	EWC	2m07.616
15	S-Pulse Dream	EWC	2m07.803
16	Elf Marc VDS	EWC	2m07.830
17	Kawasaki Trickstar	EWC	2m08.261
18	Honda Asia-Dream	EWC	2m08.288
19	KRP SANYOUKOUGYO	EWC	2m08.667
20	BabyFace Titanium	EWC	2m08.678
21	Tati AVA6	EWC	2m08.717
22	Marumae Kodama	EWC	2m08.827
23	Honda Suzuka	EWC	2m09.039
24	Kaedear-Dafy	SST	2m09.210
25	TONE 4413 EVA	SST	2m09.602
26	SANMEI TARO	EWC	2m09.702
27	Shinsyuren TOTEC	EWC	2m09.735
28	Crew Étoile	SST	2m09.921
29	Honda Tochigi	EWC	2m10.040
30	Bakuon RPT	EWC	2m10.157
31	Tatara Aprilia	SST	2m10.207
32	Honda No Limits	SST	2m10.294
33	Wójcik #777	SST	2m10.339
34	NCXX Riders Membership	SST	2m10.346
35	Kawasaki Plaza	SST	2m10.455
36	Motobox Kremer	EWC	2m10.791
37	Nationwide Motos	SST	2m11.468
38	Honda Kumamoto	SST	2m11.637
39	Aoshima Hamaguchi	EWC	2m12.522
40	Honda Blue Helmets	EWC	2m12.538
41	Taira Promote	SST	2m12.634
42	ClubNext Honda	EWC	2m12.945
43	Nichirin Racing	SST	2m13.049
44	Revo-M2	SST	2m13.715
45	Iwata Racing	EWC	2m13.881
46	Sugai Racing	EWC	2m14.093
47	Bikes#27	SST	2m14.302
48	Etching Manufacturing unit	SST	2m14.349
49	Team38	SST	2m14.442
50	Balz Fujiki	SST	2m14.620
51	Edwin Gesundheit	SST	2m14.760
52	Crew Frontier	EWC	2m15.021
53	Verity Kirinji	EWC	2m15.361
54	Matsunaga YSP	EWC	2m15.556
55	Canine Home	EWC	2m17.495

2025 Suzuka 8 Hours Schedule
(CET+7)

Schedule is CET +7 and topic to alter