But who can stop the #1000 official Honda CBR33RR-R of Team HRC with Japan Post? Not many people, to say the least, no one. Since the big mechanical problem of the Yamaha YZF-R1 #7 Yamalube YART-Yamaha at the start of the race, no other machine can compete. Yes, the Suzuki GSXR-1000R #12 Yoshimura SERT Motul tries to be economical in terms of fuel, but unless there is a historic turnaround, it will be impossible for him to fetch the winged machine in the regular way.
Honda doesn't make mistakes
End of Safety car, we are racing again!#FIMEWC #Suzuka8hours pic.twitter.com/FdIVy5QdBT
— FIM EWC (@FIM_EWC) August 6, 2023
It's perfectly impressive; despite a safety car, the pace never drops for this Honda #33 in the lead with just over an hour to go. She is now two laps ahead of the Suzuki #12, but the difference in speed is such that it is difficult to imagine any other outcome than a Honda victory at home. The three pilots Tetsuta nagashima, Takumi Takahashi et Xavi Verge turn roughly 2'08 or small regular 2'09, whileEtienne Masson, Greg Black et Sylvain Guintoli on the Suz' are struggling to go below 2'10.
Regarding the other top teams, no big changes. The team FCC TSR Honda France, victorious at the 24 Heures Motos, suffered a fall shortly after the start; it stagnates around 9th position and continues its rise. There Kawasaki #11 Team Kawasaki WeBike Trickstar suffered a shock absorber problem, and here she is again in the pits with just over an hour to go. There Yamaha #7 does not progress; a blank result awaits the Austrian team, without a doubt. There BMW M1000RR #37 BMW Motorrad World Endurance Team barely considerably, much more than in the other two rounds of the EWC World Endurance Championship.
Jérémy Guarnoni and the #37 BMW MOTORRAD WORLD ENDURANCE TEAM are now up to 8th overall #FIMEWC #Suzuka8hours pic.twitter.com/TFeP7W0Aa3
— FIM EWC (@FIM_EWC) August 6, 2023
The battle for third place still on
Behind the two giants, two local but devilishly fast teams. This changes according to the pit stops, sometimes, the Honda #104 TOHO Racing assumes this position, sometimes, it is the Suzuki #76 AutoRace Ube Racing Team. Previously, the Suzuki #95 S-PULSE DREAM RACING-ITEC played with them, but what appeared to be a mechanical problem considerably slowed down the progress of the Japanese team. In terms of speed alone, advantage to Honda #104.
Pit stop for the P3 bike – #104 TOHO Racing Honda#FIMEWC #Suzuka8hours pic.twitter.com/mkjPAKf8qd
— FIM EWC (@FIM_EWC) August 6, 2023
The weather to disrupt the hierarchy of these 8 Hours of Suzuka?
The sky darkens considerably in Japan. The end of the Suzuka 8 Hours, traditionally contested at night, could well take place in torrential rain. The temperature has dropped sharply, and the weather forecast predicts raindrops in about 15 minutes. At 11 a.m., the flags warning of a change in grip went out. Will we see a crazy end to the race at Suzuka? The first pit stops should not take long.
🌧️ or not?#FIMEWC #Suzuka8hours pic.twitter.com/rm1PZ0ZCYG
— FIM EWC (@FIM_EWC) August 6, 2023
Here is the standings for the Suzuka 8 Hours at 11:15 a.m., 1:15 a.m. from the finish:
Ranking : fimewc.fr/itsresults
Cover photo: FIM EWC