The Dutchman, who came within a second of his first podium with Yamaha in the Superbike World Championship this Sunday, will be one of three factory R1 riders with Alex Lowes and Katsuyuki Nakasuga at the next 8 Hours of Suzuka. which will take place on July 30.
The Japanese classic will be the final of the World Endurance Championship this year, and Yamaha intends to shine again on the Honda-owned circuit, as was already the case in 2015 with Katsuyuki Nakasuga, Bradley Smith and Pol Espargaro, then in 2016 winning again with Katsuyuki Nakasuga, Alex Lowes and Pol Espargaro. This ended a long drought for Yamaha, since the victory in 1996 of Colin Edwards and Noriyuki Haga.
Michael Van Der Mark has already won the Suzuka 8 Hours in 2013 and 2014 with Takumi Takahashi and Leon Haslam on Honda.
He currently occupies sixth position in the provisional standings of the Superbike World Championship, behind the two official Kawasakis, the two Ducatis, and his current teammate Alex Lowes. He finished fourth twice this year at Assen and Donington.
According to Michael van der Mark, “ I'm really looking forward to racing the Suzuka 8 Hours again. I've been there four times and won twice, so it will be a really special event for me to meet them again with Yamaha.
“We have a really strong team, so I'm going to give everything I have to try to win and make this event really special for Yamaha and for all the fans. »
Van der Mark will be on the official Yamaha specially entered for the Suzuka 8H, alongside the other R1 which participates in the entire Championship with the YART Yamaha Official EWC Team driven by Broc Parkes, Marvin Fritz and Kohta Nozane.
Yamaha has created a special site for the 8 Hours.
Photo and source: Yamaha
