Honda HRC Secures Fifth Consecutive Suzuka 8 Hours Victory as Honda Claims its 32nd Win

Adaptability and resilience. By responding to the constantly changing conditions, Honda HRC secured its fifth consecutive Suzuka 8 Hours victory, and Honda’s 32nd triumph in one of the world’s most
prestigious endurance races.

On July 5, a field of 50 teams lined up for the start of the 47th “Coca-Cola” Suzuka 8 Hours Endurance Race at the iconic 5.821 km Suzuka Circuit.

The race got underway at 11:30 am local time under overcast skies, with an air temperature of 23°C and the track still wet from the morning rain, and was heavily influenced by intermittent rain and several lengthy safety car periods.

Honda HRC’s race strategy gradually shifted towards completing the race with Takumi Takahashi and Jonathan Rea, both able to rely on extensive experience in similar conditions. Somkiat Chantra had shown very competitive pace throughout the dry sessions but had not had the opportunity to gain experience in these mixed and wet conditions. Making his Suzuka 8 Hours debut, the Thai rider nevertheless made an important contribution to the team’s overall effort throughout the race week.

Takumi Takahashi started from Pole Position aboard the #30 CBR1000RR-R FIREBLADE SP. He made a good start and was passed by Naomichi Uramoto (AutoRace Ube Racing Team) at the first corner, before remaining in contention for the lead throughout the opening stages.

Honda HRC completed the first four hours with two pit stops, with Takahashi ending his first 33-lap stint in the lead before handing over to Jonathan Rea. Rea consolidated Honda HRC’s lead until the end of lap 66, when he handed the bike back to Takahashi.

Takahashi entered the pits at the end of lap 92 for Honda HRC’s third pit stop and Jonathan Rea rejoined the race still in first place with an advantage of around 22 seconds over Sylvain Guintoli (AutoRace Ube Racing Team). While the Honda HRC rider gradually extended his advantage over the French rider, Jack Miller (YAMAHA FACTORY RACING TEAM) moved into second place on lap 105. Lapping consistently in the 2’16 to 2’18 range, Miller began to reduce the gap to the leader, but Rea responded by increasing his pace to maintain an advantage of around 28 seconds, once again demonstrating all his experience in controlling the situation in the demanding conditions.

Miller made his fourth pit stop on lap 115, while Rea continued for three more laps before handing the #30 CBR1000RR-R FIREBLADE SP back to Takumi Takahashi at the end of lap 118. Takahashi began the sixth hour with around a 29-second advantage over Michael van der Mark (BMW MOTORRAD WORLD ENDURANCE TEAM). With the rain easing but the track still wet and conditions remaining very tricky, Takahashi also put all his experience and speed to good use, continuing to control Honda HRC’s advantage at the front.

Honda HRC’s fifth and penultimate pit stop came on lap 144, when Takahashi handed the bike over to Rea. Honda HRC’s advantage over second-placed Jack Miller at times dropped below 20 seconds, but Rea managed the gap, keeping it within a safe margin for Takahashi to begin the final stint.

Takahashi took over on lap 173 with 52 minutes remaining, holding an advantage of around 20 seconds over Andrea Locatelli. A few minutes later, heavy rain returned, while the fading daylight added a further challenge for the riders in the closing stages of the race.

With 34 minutes remaining, the deployment of the safety car on lap 179 effectively settled the race, preserving Takahashi’s advantage over Locatelli. Honda HRC completed today’s 188 lap-race to secure its fifth consecutive Suzuka 8 Hours victory, taking the chequered flag as Suzuka’s grandstands were illuminated by thousands of multicoloured lights.

The victory marks Takumi Takahashi’s eighth Suzuka 8 Hours win, his fifth consecutive success in the event, and Jonathan Rea’s third victory at Suzuka.

Takumi Takahashi: “First of all, I’m really happy that we were able to finish the race safely, even though it was run entirely in wet conditions. Unfortunately, Chantra wasn’t able to ride, but Johnny and I completed the race together, with Chantra supporting us throughout, and I’m very pleased with how everything went. Earlier this year, when I learned that Nakasuga-san would be retiring, one of my goals became to beat him before he stepped away (joking). Johnny did an incredible job today. He’s a multiple World Champion and his pace was both incredibly fast and very consistent. The whole team was fantastic as well. Every tyre change, every pit stop and every decision was executed perfectly, and they gave us a great bike. This victory belongs to everyone.”

Jonathan Rea: “I’m so, so happy with this win. In these conditions you couldn’t afford a single mistake, with the changing weather and all the pressure, but the team did an incredible job and the bike was amazing. My teammate was fantastic, so consistent, and I just did my job. It was a huge team effort, so thank you very much. Thanks to all the fans as well. Race ended 7:30 in the evening and the grandstands were still full, so it’s really special to be back here. I’m incredibly grateful to HRC and Honda for this opportunity. The last three or four seasons have been tough mentally, but this bike has been incredible. I’d almost forgotten what it feels like to overtake people on the straight! Thank you for reminding me that I’m still fast. Pole position, fastest lap and the race win. I couldn’t ask for more. I’m just so grateful.”

Somkiat Chantra: “I’m really, really happy for Jonathan and Takumi. Today we were one happy team. This week has been a great experience and a great lesson for me. I’d like to thank Honda HRC for giving me this opportunity and for helping me learn so much throughout the week. Of course, it’s unfortunate that I wasn’t able to race, but I enjoyed every moment and I hope I’ll have another opportunity in the future.”

credit: Honda Racing Corporation