After the first series of official tests for the Suzuka 8 Hours, we were able to interview Randy de Puniet who is one of the five crews able to challenge for victory.
We took the opportunity to try to shed light on this race which remains quite mysterious for French enthusiasts while it unleashes real passion among spectators and Japanese manufacturers.
Hello Randy, and first of all congratulations for your performance on Eurosport: great work with lots of continuous information which provides very relevant information to the viewer…
" Thank you ! »
Let's come to the Suzuka 8 Hours and try to describe precisely why this race is so important even though it is relatively little known to French enthusiasts. First of all, let's remember that you have already participated...
“Yes, in 2014 with Yoshimura. It was the year I was a test rider for Suzuki in MotoGP, and given that I only had a Wildcard planned in Valencia and that I had always wanted to do Suzuka, it was the opportunity to participate. It was a really good experience and we finished second. This made me want to renew my participation in such good conditions. »
Why is this event legendary in Japan, while it remains relatively unknown to European enthusiasts?
“For all the time, and this year we are in the 40th edition, this race has been very important for the Japanese. All Japanese factories are therefore doing their utmost to try to win it. For example, even if some will doubt it, this year at Honda, it is more important to win the race than the MotoGP title. This is why there are so many factory motorcycles, all brands combined, and still so many Grand Prix and Superbike riders. There is really a very good field and the era when the drivers in the endurance championship had somewhat neglected this event has been well and truly over for three or four years. Let's also not forget the few Japanese drivers who are very accustomed to this circuit and who contribute to the strength of certain teams. »
Motorcycle manufacturers are therefore doing their best, but so are tire manufacturers…
" Yes ! In particular Bridgestone which has been giving its all for several years. Dunlop is also present, just like Pirelli which made a big effort with the Moriwaki driven by Takahashi and Kyionari. All the manufacturers present play the game and try to be as efficient as possible. »
A question that often comes up: why are the European teams that dominate the world championship, GMT, SERT and YART not in a position to fight for victory at the Suzuka 8 Hours?
“Mainly because of the material. For example, it seems that at GMT94, we only have an engine in “24 hour” configuration and not “8 hour”. The difference is estimated between 10 and 20 horsepower. The aim of these teams is therefore to limit the damage while aiming for the world title. The official Japanese teams don't care about this: they are only interested in the Suzuka 8 Hours and therefore have engines prepared for that! As a result, their bikes are two or three seconds faster than those of the permanent teams which run in 2'11.0 while we ride in 2'08.
The European teams therefore have a different perspective for this race, and that's why for me, today, it was either I rode a factory bike or I didn't ride. Getting dropped off by the other bikes didn't interest me. »
Are they also still handicapped in terms of tires?
“From what I understand, the top teams, like GMT 94, SERT or YART, also benefit from Japanese tires. »
As far as you are concerned, how can you participate in this race with an official Honda when you ride in endurance with a Kawasaki?
“I've been trying to do Suzuka with Kawasaki for a while since I ride with them at the Bol d'Or and the 24 Heures Motos. But there was no more room on the official bike, that of the Green team ridden by Kazuma Watanabe, Leon Haslam, and Azlan Shah bin Kamaruzaman. So I made up my mind when François Ribeiro (editor's note: operations director of Eurosport Events, promoter of the EWC), the organizer, called me to ask me if I wanted to ride the Honda FCC. It was a big surprise for me, and thanks to Éric Mahé, we were able to find a solution so that I could accept this proposal without it compromising my participation in the Bol d'or for Kawasaki. »
Let's talk about your bike. It's an official motorcycle...
" Yes. What happened was Honda supplied this bike which was built directly to HRC. They brought it to Suzuka with the engineers and mechanics who joined the FCC team. The team is therefore partly made up of men from HRC who will be present during all the tests and the race, as well as FCC staff. »
Even if it remains a motorcycle derived from the series, are you having fun?
" Yes ! I'm enjoying it! Plus, condition number one was that I spend the entire month in Japan. So I did the tests on July 5 and 6, then those on July 11,12, 13 and 20, and we're going to ride again on the 21th and 5st before doing the race week. The other drivers of my team were not there on the 6th and 20th and will probably not be there on the 21th and XNUMXst, except perhaps Bradl. So they needed a pilot who was there all the time and I was available. The more I ride, the better, especially in good conditions where it's always pleasant. »
So you are the backbone of the team…
" That's it ! It goes well. In addition, the team boss is super nice, the team too and I was well received in the team. Afterwards, spending a month in Japan is a bit long because it's not at all the same culture as back home. Suzuka is a bit dead too, but hey…”
Why are three drivers needed for an eight-hour race?
“Above all, because if one of the drivers falls or is not well, we cannot finish the race alone. Afterwards, if we have three drivers going that fast, it's still better because it allows you to rest and be fresher for your three stints which you can then do at full speed. With two drivers, it would be necessary to do four stints, and given the heat, and given that these are 28-lap stints, or around an hour, the fourth stint is particularly trying. »
During this week's tests, we saw three Hondas prove to be the fastest, but we know that Yamaha is far from giving up...
“It's not complicated: the third Honda (the Moriwaki) put on qualifying tires to do its time. Today, after watching the laps and simulations, I would say that there are five bikes, the two official Hondas, the Kawasaki, the Yamaha and the Suzuki, which stand out. After these tests, we are more in the first part than in the second. Afterwards, so much can happen in endurance that anything can happen. But I think this year Yamaha is not going to dominate like the other last years.
With us, Dominique Aegerter rode very well. We drove the same with the racing tires then he put on a soft tire on the second day to get 5 tenths. We drove in a “little eight” like all the guys in front. On racing tires, no one drove below 2'08 and it was only by putting slightly softer tires that it fell to 2'07.7. But as the soft tires don't finish the stints, it's not much use. It's just good for performance. »
Pol Espargaro has the record in 2'06.000. How did he do it?
“The thing is, they had qualifying tires but there aren't any now because since last year there has been a tire restriction. We have 20 sets of tires for official testing, qualifying and the race. The tire that we will use in qualifying for three laps, we will even have to use it during our last stint. So I don't see how we could beat Espargaro's time. »
What part of the circuit do you particularly like?
" I like everything ! The first part of the stage is great, the left before the chicane too, even the chicane which is slow still has its style... The circuit is hilly, there are corners in support, there is not a moment where you feel rest... In short, it is magnificent! The only thing is that it's super dangerous and you shouldn't look at the sidelines. In some places it's a little scary but that's how it is. There is no solution to improve safety because there is no more space in the clearance area. »
What maximum speed do you reach?
“I took 300. But I think there were 305 made last year or something like that. Not in the pit straight but in the one before the left before the chicane. »
What is the atmosphere like among the spectators?
“There are more than 100 people, so a lot of people. There are also a lot of people in the paddocks, it's very nice and it's a great race. The Japanese are very respectful and it's always a pleasure to ride here because they respect the drivers. Obviously, when things happen like that, we want to be nicer to people. »
Is your goal clearly victory?
“Yes, we're going for that, but then we'll see: a lot of things can happen. The podium would already be great, and victory would be the icing on the cake. Now, we will each do our best and try not to make mistakes, and as I say “if everyone did their best and we win, so much the better, but if we do 2, there will be a team that will have been stronger”."
