The Suzuka 8 Hours is one of the most important motorcycle competitions in the world, in which the big names in MotoGP and Superbike also participate every year, such as Valentino Rossi in the past and Johan Zarco this year.
It is an endurance race that takes place every year on the Japanese Suzuka circuit and, as the name of the competition suggests, lasts eight hours, during which each team fields three drivers who alternate driving shifts. The first edition was held in 1978.
Participating in this event is not an everyday thing.
There are many riders who dream of being called up by one of the Japanese teams involved, but often it remains just a dream.
This year, however, Kevin Manfredi will realize this dream riding the BMW of Team Frontier, whose manager is the famous Japanese rider Noboru Ueda, the only rider to have won a MotoGP race on his debut in the 125 class.
The race will take place in the week from 15th to 21st July and the Spezzino was in Japan until today for pre-tests with the Team.
Kevin said: “As a child I watched Valentino Rossi on his Honda win the Suzuka 8h and I dreamed of one day being able to race that race. Today that dream is becoming reality.
It's incredible how life can give you such emotions, especially being called by a Japanese team and a former driver like Nobby.
I must first of all thank the Wojcik Racing Team, which accepted my request and allowed me to race at Suzuka with another team, which is not something for everyone.
Then I want to thank Team Penta Motorsport who allowed me to skip Thursday's free practice at Mugello to carry out pre-tests in Japan, and also all my sponsors and technical partners who will support me in this project. It will be a completely new, unique and very difficult experience: I don't know the circuit and I don't know BMW.
I will also race in the EWC class, i.e. Superbike.
As always, I will give my best and try to enjoy every moment of this new adventure.”
Kevin took to the track today for the first day of official testing, during which he had the opportunity to test the bike, circuit and tyres, before returning in record time to Italy to race the second round of the Italian Speed Championship at Mugello in program this weekend, before returning to Suzuka in July for the FIM EWC race weekend.
Kevin thanks all the sponsors and technical partners of the 2024 season.
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