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Team HRC Wins By More Than a Lap Giving Honda Its First Win in Eight Years, 28th Total
On Lap 165, Team HRC’s Lecuona changes with Takahashi. #10 Kawasaki also changes its rider to Jonathan Rea. After 170 laps, Takahashi leads, Canepa (Yamaha) is second, and Rea (Kawasaki) is third.
Team HRC Wins By More Than a Lap Giving Honda Its First Win in Eight Years, 28th Total
At this stage, seven Honda teams are in the top twelve. Hamahara (Honda Dream RT SAKURAI HONDA) is sixth, Kunimine (TOHO Racing) is seventh, Azman (Honda Asia-Dream Racing with SHOWA) ninth, Yuki Takahashi (Team ATJ with JAPAN POST) tenth, Hook (F.C.C. TSR Honda France) 11th, and Tajiri (GOSHI Racing) is 12th.
In the closing stages, teams change riders for the final stint. Kiyonari takes over from Kunimine for TOHO Racing, Zaidi from Azman for Honda Asia-Dream Racing with SHOWA. Honda team begin to pit. As the seven hour mark passed, Fritz (Yamaha) crashed at the spoon curve, bringing out the safety car as multiple riders were involved. The race order changes to Takahashi, Rea and Watanabe (Suzuki). At 7 hours 19 minutes, the safety car leaves the track. Team HRC’s Takahashi pits on Lap 196, and after 41.776 s, Nagashima is back on the track for the final stint.
While Haslam (Kawasaki) laps in the 2 min 12 s range, and Watanabe (Suzuki), third, in the 2 min 13 s range, Nagashima sets himself apart by lapping at 2 min 8 s as the sun sets.
Nagashima had a clear track until the end, crossing the finish line to an ecstatic grand stand. The win marks Honda first victory since 2014, and its first victory as a factory team since 2008. Team HRC set lap records in Qualifying and Top 10 Qualifying to take pole position. Takahashi, Nagashima and Lecuona all lapped at impressive pace throughout the race, lapping all other teams, demonstrating the return of a strong Honda.
Kawasaki Racing Team Suzuka 8H was second overall, and YOSHIMURA SERT MOTUL (Suzuki) was third. For Honda, TOHO Racing was fifth, Honda Dream RT SAKURAI HONDA sixth, Team ATJ with JAPAN POST eighth, F.C.C. TSR Honda France tenth, Honda Asia-Dream Racing with SHOWA 11th, and GOSHI Racing 12th.
Although 35th and below were not counted as completing the race, #17 Astemo Honda Dream SI Racing was 37th, and #73 SDG Honda Racing was 43rd.
Tetsuta Nagashima 33
Team HRC
I’m simply happy! I’m glad to have had the opportunity to be involved in developing the CBR1000RR-RSP in 2021 and 2022, realize its potential, and show the world. Honda’s engineers have tested the bike over and over, and were rewarded by our Suzuka 8 Hours victory. I am grateful to be a part of the development, and grew with each test we did. I believe we demonstrated a strong Honda at the first Suzuka 8 Hours in three years.
Takumi Takahashi 33
Team HRC
I’ve always been unhappy with the 2019 Suzuka 8 Hours, so I’m glad we won today. I’m relieved that I managed to play my part, as Nagashima developed the bike, and I had to become accustomed to it and bring out its potential, otherwise I would hold him back. This was the first Suzuka 8 Hours for Iker [Lecuona], and he did a great job. The HRC team gave us solid support including pit work. I am grateful to everyone involved. This is my fourth Suzuka 8 Hours victory, and if I get another chance, I will aim for the record of five victories held by Toru Ukawa.
Iker Lecuona 33
Team HRC
I am really, really, really happy to win my first Suzuka 8 Hours. It felt amazing when Nagashima was met by the checkered flag. Everything has gone well since the Suzuka tests, the bike developed by Honda and Nagashima was superb, and I think I managed to bring out the performance of the bike. I was worried when the safety car entered the track that I would lose the gap our other two riders had built up, but we got through fine. I am grateful to the best team and my teammates. If I have the opportunity next year, I’d like to be back at Suzuka.
Teppei Nagoe 73
SDG Honda Racing
I am sincerely grateful for the team that brought us back to the track. It is very emotional for me, but through the Suzuka 8 Hours, I have once again felt how wonderful motorsports is, and how hard it is to be on the podium. I felt that for next year, I need to grow more with the experiences I gained here, and become a rider who can lead his team.
Naomichi Uramoto 73
SDG Honda Racing
The accident happened just when I thought we could keep up with the top riders, so I am very disappointed. All our riders were in good condition and well prepared. You really do not know what will happen at the Suzuka 8 Hours. But, I am happy that I was given the opportunity to race in the Suzuka 8 Hours. I am grateful to Nagoe, Enokido, and the team for their support, and everyone who cheered for us.
Ikuhiro Enokido 73
SDG Honda Racing
I made the team’s job harder during practice, so I am very, very grateful for Nagoe , Uramoto and the whole team for this Suzuka 8 Hours. Our results are disappointing, but I have gained a really good experience in racing my first Suzuka 8 Hours. I will turn my disappointment into motivation, and race my next race.
