Yoshimura Suzuki MOTUL Racing has announced its team for the final round of the 2018-2019 FIM Endurance World Championship next month will comprise Yukio Kagayama, Sylvain Guintoli and Kazuki Watanabe.
This will be the fifth and final round of the series, that takes place on July 28th at the Suzuka Circuit in Japan.
Fujio Yoshimura – Yoshimura Japan President:
“Suzuka Circuit hosted several motorcycle endurance races prior to the famous Suzuka 8 Hour Endurance Race, that started in 1978.
“Suzuka circuit was built and opened in November 1962 and the first professional endurance race, the ‘Suzuka 18 Hour’ was held two years later.
“I was a high-school boy at that time and still remember clearly how the Yoshimura- tuned Honda Super Hawk (305cc) won the 18 hours race! It was a fierce battle between Honda R&D Team and Yoshimura Team until the end of the race! This inaugural victory made the Yoshimura name well known and motorcycle racing was becoming ever so important in Japan along with the growth of motorcycle industry and it pushed my dad, Pop Yoshimura, to decide to move the workshop to Tokyo in 1965, where new industrial movements of motorcycle racing became popular.
“It is already 55 years since the first Suzuka 18 Hour and I am proud of what Yoshimura has achieved in the past and glad that we made a lot of memorable history with the Suzuka Circuit for motorcycle endurance races together. The first Suzuka 8 Hour in 1978 was a pure surprise for everyone in the world and it was a great ‘Triumph over adversity’ story made by Yoshimura!
“We wish to get another victory at the Suzuka 8 Hour this year in front of our fans, and hope Yoshimura history and sprits will be known even wider.”
Yohei Kato – Team Manager:
“Yoshimura Suzuki MOTUL Racing Team is taking part in the 42nd FIM Suzuka 8 Hours Endurance World Championship with our regular All Japan Championship riders, Yukio Kagayama, Kazuki Watanabe and Suzuki MotoGP test rider, Sylvain Guintoli.
“It is going to be a very challenging Suzuka 8H race, since the three Japanese factory teams will be very fast and tough. We are representative for Suzuki & GSX-R and getting ready to fight against these strong competitors. We are a private team and our brilliant histories from the Suzuka 8H were never made in an easy way, but we will be working hard and making maximum effort for the victory.
“I’ve Got The Power” – It is our slogan and Yoshimura Suzuki MOTUL Racing will race to win the 42nd Suzuka 8hours!”
Yukio Kagayama:
“I am very excited to join the Yoshimura team again this year for the Suzuka 8H since some of my best racing memories is from the Suzuka 8H in 2007 to get on the podium in 1st place, and it was such an amazing experience.
“As it is very well known, Suzuka is extremely hard, competitive, very hot and a changing race event. I know how to fight this race from my experience, and I am excited to get going with my mates and see what I can do. I’m really looking forward the race weekend and aiming for the top step with Yoshimura Suzuki MOTUL Racing again this year.”
Sylvain Guintoli:
“It’s a great pleasure and an honour to be back in Japan for the 2019 Suzuka 8H with the YOSHIMURA Suzuki Motul racing team. Last year we had a promising start of the race, leading for a while and maintaining our place in the top-3 before a crash that forced us to fight all race to recover places. I hope this year we can have a trouble-free race and fight for the podium all the way.”