The Suzuki Yoshimura with Jomo 34 posted the fastest time in Thursday’s free tests at Suzuka with a lap of 2’08.585, a mark set by rider Kosuka Akiyoshi. His Suzuki was the only machine to have completed the 5,821 meter Japanese circuit under the 2’09 barrier. The next best time came from Katsuyuki Nakasuga on the Yamaha Racing 21 with 2’09.607, just ahead of the Honda HRC 33 who registered 2’09.948 thanks to its star rider Carlos Checa.
Competing against the factory machines in the JSB (Open) category and taking part outside of the QMMF Endurance FIM World Championship, the Japanese Honda FCC TSR, victorious last year at Suzuka and this year registered in the Superbike class, was placed 10th and completed the best performance of the class with a time of 2’11.161.
The fastest permanent team was FCC TSR Eurosport Benelux with a lap of 2’13.391. In partnership with a Japanese team since Albacete, the Dutch team has also signed up two Japanese riders for the Suzuka 8 Hours.
Suzuki Endurance Racing Team was placed 19th fastest in these free tests with a best lap of 2’13.681. Just behind SERT was Yamaha Austria Racing Team who registered a best of 2’15.667, followed closely by Kawasaki Bolliger Switzerland in 2’16.728.
The line-up for Sunday’s starting grid will be decided on Friday by the best times registered by each team in the qualifying session. On Saturday, the Superpole session will decide in which order the fastest ten teams will line-up.
The ‘Coca Cola Zero’ Suzuka 8 Hours begins at 11:30 on Sunday at Suzuka.
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