Suzuka is without a doubt one of the highlights of the annual FIM Endurance World Championship calendar.
The iconic Japanese circuit sees a whole host of local privateer and factory backed teams line up against championship regulars and title fighters, all hoping to come away with that much coveted race win at one of the world’s most famous races.
Tyre manufacturer Bridgestone have a formidable record at the 8Tai, having been the tyre of choice on the winning bike for the last thirteen seasons.
A number of top teams are once again opting to use Bridegestone’s Battlax race rubber this year, including last year’s winning Yamaha Factory Racing Team, plus the MuSASHi RT HARC-PRO. Honda and Yoshimura Suzuki MOTUL Racing squads.
Reigning FIM EWC champions FCC TSR Honda and regular front runners Yamaha Austria Racing Team will also be riding on Bridgestone at Suzuka, with the latter already on pace with the local factory squads in the opening practice session which was held earlier today.
A contingent of top British riders will all be taking part this weekend, including WorldSBK champion Jonathan Rea and his teammate Leon Haslam riding for Kawasaki Racing Team. From the British Superbike paddock, the likes of Tommy Bridewell and Bradley Ray will be riding for S-Pulse Suzuki. And of course, Alex Lowes will be hoping to help Yamaha Factory claim an unprecedented fifth victory in a row.
You can get a feel for the Suzuka track from this on-board footage with Yamaha Austria’s Marvin Fritz:
Tune in this weekend to find out if Bridgestone can make it 14 victories in a row!
Find out more about the current Bridgestone race tyre range here.
