2012 Suzuka 8 Hours
The 2012 FIM Endurance World Championship heads to Japan this weekend for the Suzuki 8 Hours, round three of five.
And one team which just head successful road-racing victories at the Isle of Man TT and North West 200 is gearing up to collect some additional points in the EWC – the Honda TT Legends.
The team will consist of 19-time Isle of Man TT winner John McGuinness, Cameron Donald and Samsung Honda British Superstock star Jason O’Halloran, who substitutes for the injured Simon Andrews.
The Honda TT Legends hope to continue what has so-far been a successful season. The team completed the Bol d’Or 24-hour in April and secured its first-ever EWC podium at the 8-hours of Doha in June to lie second overall in the championship standings.
This year, 60 teams will participate in the Suzuka 8 Hour race, making things quite competitve for the Honda TT Legends Teams. But the crew has been preparing the 2012 ABS-equipped CBR1000RR Fireblad, and will be looking to finish in the top three in the EWC standings.
John McGuinness (Honda TT Legends CBR1000RR) says: “I’m excited about going back to Suzuka for a second time. It’s going to be much better now that we have experience of the track and I’ve been looking forward to this one since we left last year! It’s such an iconic event and it would be amazing to do well there. The team has been doing a great job recently – the bike is going well and the stand-in squad got a brilliant result in Qatar. Hopefully we can finish the race and score some valuable points.”
Cameron Donald (Honda TT Legends CBR1000RR) says: “Suzuka would have to rate as one of my favourite circuits. It’s technically challenging and usually raced in very hot conditions so it’s never easy! Having had the opportunity to learn the circuit last year, I’m looking forward to building on that knowledge. Racing for Honda in Japan is always an honor and I will be giving it my all. We’re aiming for a strong result to add as many points as possible to our championship effort. I look forward to joining the team again and also my fellow country man Jason, who I’m sure will be a great asset at a circuit he knows well.”
Jason O’Halloran (Honda TT Legends) says: “It was a such an honour to race for the Honda TT Legends at Qatar so I’m excited and flattered to be asked to join the team in Japan. It’s a really slick crew and the Qatar race went so smoothly with no real drama – I hope we can do the same again. I did the Suzuka 8-hour in 2008 and really enjoyed the experience so I’m definitely looking forward to doing it for a second time. It’s such an iconic event and to compete there with Honda will be fantastic.”
The 8-hour race will take place on Sunday, July 29, starting at 11:30 a.m. Japan Standard Time. For live timing, visit fim-live.com.
Attached above is a video previewing the Suzuka 8 Hours.
