Yoshimura Suzuki win storm-lashed Suzuka eight hour

The Yoshimura Jomo Suzuki team won this weekend’s Suzuka Eight Hour that was battered by storms.

Rain and high winds reached typhoon proportions, necessitating deployment of the safety car periods on five different occasions.

Yoshimura’s all-Japanese pairing of Daisaku Sakai and Kazuki Tokudome led from the first hour to the chequered flag, clocking 183 laps – one more than second place finishers Hitoyasu Izuktsu, Shinya Takeishi and Ruyji Tsuruta on a Trick Star Racing ZX-10R.

The Kawasaki team though finished just 20s ahead of the Sakurai Honda, ridden by Takumi Takashi and Chojun Kameya.

Best placed European team, in this fourth round of the World Endurance championship, was Yamaha Austria with Igor Jerman, Steve Martin and Gwen Giabbani on 181 laps.

British-based Phase One Yamaha were 12th with 176 laps with a team consisting of BSB rider Graeme Gowland, Pedro Vallacaneras and Damien Cudlin.  

Photos courtesy of Riding Sport, Japan