Suzuka 8 Hour Preview [Archive]

merv

21st July 2004, 12:02

I like this article http://www.superbikeplanet.com/2004/Jul/040720js6.htm

.. and the quote from Ukawa "I have been contesting the 8 hours since 1994 and Honda has always won when they have introduced a new machine. So this year, the CBR1000RRW will win the race."

White trash

21st July 2004, 12:16

He's fucken delusional.

Suzuki are going to kick arse :kick: All the need is Reynolds and Yukio on a Rizla spec Gixxer and the opposition wont see which way they went.

Deano

21st July 2004, 12:26

All the need is Reynolds and Yukio on a Rizla spec Gixxer and the opposition wont see which way they went.

Off the track most likely........ :o

Go Honda :first:

gav

22nd July 2004, 11:25

Yeah, WT, you do realise its an 8 hour race dont you? :confused:
And what ever happened to the days when the 8 hour was THE race to win, seems like a big Japanese club day these days.....

merv

23rd July 2004, 08:31

Love the images here http://www.superbikeplanet.com/image/eighthours/1/ there is even a Ducati Monster racer Lynda.

merv

23rd July 2004, 19:35

WT its a long way to go yet but so far Suzuki is doing OK, in initial practice at least http://www.cyclenews.com/ShowStory.asp?HeadlineID=6439

NordieBoy

23rd July 2004, 21:10

Love the images here http://www.superbikeplanet.com/image/eighthours/1/ there is even a Ducati Monster racer Lynda.

I would love to see the bodywork on that Roadstar!

:eek:

andy1

24th July 2004, 03:26

Been watching a bit on telly.

I got a mate here who was racing in the Suzuka 8hour, Reackons its the hardest thing he`s ever done. He is always at me about Araon Slight! that Araon was on HIS knees asking him for advice about racing!! :eek:

andy1

24th July 2004, 03:43

GO Ryuichi Kiyonari team sevenstars!

Man i got both suzuka8hour and MotoGP racing this weekend. awesome!

merv

24th July 2004, 09:12

Lucky bugger having it on TV - enjoy.

Ghost Lemur

24th July 2004, 10:52

So when are we going to see your name in lights at the Suzuka 8-hour Andy?

andy1

24th July 2004, 18:14

As soon as i put a 1000cc engine into my CRF :innocent:

merv

24th July 2004, 18:27

Today's qualifying results here http://www.cyclenews.com/ShowStory.asp?HeadlineID=6442

merv

24th July 2004, 18:32

Pics of Suzukis through the ages here http://www.superbikeplanet.com/image/eighthours/2/

Bob

25th July 2004, 01:15

Once upon a time, I used to work for the Official World Endurance Championship website... sadly, I wasn't the one that got to go overseas!

It is still run by a mate of mine though.... so as it is a mate and you guys are interested in Suzuka, This is the Official World Endurance Championship website URL (http://www.worldendurance.com/)

One of these days I'll have to look through and see what work of mine is still on there.

Ghost Lemur

25th July 2004, 10:40

Once upon a time, I used to work for the Official World Endurance Championship website... sadly, I wasn't the one that got to go overseas!

It is still run by a mate of mine though.... so as it is a mate and you guys are interested in Suzuka, This is the Official World Endurance Championship website URL (http://www.worldendurance.com/)

One of these days I'll have to look through and see what work of mine is still on there.

Thanks for the link Bob.

Looks like the r1's are kicking ass in the championship. 3 or the top 4 spots. The top three teams are also all French.

Bob

26th July 2004, 21:48

Something interests me about the Suzuka 8 Hours - Gav touched on it when he said " And what ever happened to the days when the 8 hour was THE race to win, seems like a big Japanese club day these days....."

Suzuka, in terms of the Japanese - was THE most important race in the calendar, and I am talking worldwide here. Massive amount of honour involved in winning the race (the sort of money thrown into that one race could finance some teams for a season in some series!)

Other series were not allowed to clash with it, all riders were made available to race - hence Honda being able to put out Rossi and Edwards in a team for example.

Not sure about Doohan, but I know Rossi - after a season when his form was badly affected by Suzuka - had a clause entered into his contract that he would not be called on to ride in the 8 hours.

And now, MotoGP races on the same weekend? So no GP stars. So the 8 Hours is well and truly relegated in terms of importance.

Wonder when and what was the start of the 8 Hours being shunted down in importance? Was it Rossi not having to ride? Or Dorna flexing their muscles and telling the Big 4/IRTA etc that MotoGP is the top championship and everything else takes 2nd place?

I'd be interested to know just when such a huge change in importance happened - it was still top dog race when I was involved in WEC - and thats only 3 years ago.