Suzuka eight hour endurance race: Honda wins with Checa and Kiyonari

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The Japanese company has triumphed in the classic World Endurance Championship, with the team of Carlos Checa and Ryuichi Kiyonari, Superbike teammates from Ten Kate’s team, winning the eight hours at Suzuka. They beat Suzuki riders Daisaku Sakai and Atsushi Watanabe to win.

The riders from the Team Dream Honda 11 gave the public a great performance, in a race not without its drama. Itoh was out after engine problems, and the track underwent a storm after only an hour, which mixed things up. Yukio Kagayama took advantage, racing past the head of the race, only to come off in a classic fall.




Akiyoshi was indecisive, putting last year’s winner Team Yoshimura Suzuki 34 out of the race. And so the Checa-Kiyonari combination won, in front of Yoshi Suzuki 12, Kyubo Harc Pro Honda and Yoshi Suzuki 34.

Superbike champions now have a few days rest before Thursday’s Brands Hatch meet for the tenth round. The next Word Endurance Championship will be on August 9 in Germany for the eight hours at Oschersleben.

via | Race24.com



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I always wanted to try my hand at endurance racing of one sort or another. Was thinking baja solo, but roadracing may be better on my rapidly deteriorating body:laugh