Carole Nash ambassador Jonathan Rea will lead an impressive all-European line-up for the official Kawasaki squad’s title defence at this year’s Suzuka 8 Hour race.
The five-time world superbike champion will be joined by fellow superbike riders Alex Lowes and Xavi Fores in a team which will once again be run by the manufacturer’s Spanish-based WSBK team.
Kawasaki ended Yamaha’s four year winning streak in the prestigious Japanese endurance event in 2019, in a thrilling race that ended controversially. After a close, race-long, battle with the Yamaha and Honda entrants, Rea looked to be cruising to Kawasaki’s first win since 1993 when his ZX-10RR went down on oil dropped by another bike in the dying seconds of the race.
The win was initially handed to Yamaha, ironically featuring Lowes in their line up, but after review the victory was handed to the green team, as the race had been stopped prematurely and Rea was blameless in the incident. The result marked Rea’s second victory at the event, having triumphed in 2012 when he rode for Honda.
Rea will be joined by two new team-mates for the 2020 challenge. With 2019 riders Leon Haslam and Toprak Razgatlioglu both leaving the Kawasaki brand, the baton has been handed to their replacements in the Kawasaki world superbike ranks.
Lowes has joined Rea in the official squad and is a Suzuka veteran, having ridden for the factory Yamaha for the past four years, having won three of them, while Spaniard Fores moved to the Puccetti Kawasaki team for 2020 after a season as a Honda rider in British superbikes.
The race is due to be held at the legendary Japanese circuit from 16-19 July and, of course, hangs under the cloud of the current coronavirus pandemic.
Kawasaki are charging full steam ahead with their plans, even though some doubt must remain about whether or not the event will be able to go ahead. Even if it does, it would seem likely that the heavy testing schedule that takes place throughout the summer will be reduced this year.
Speaking of his return to Suzuka, Rea acknowledged the impact the virus is having on the world, saying: “Firstly, I hope everyone around the world is safe, staying healthy during this coronavirus pandemic. It’s important to really stay safe but I also want to bring you some exciting news regarding our plan at this time to participate in the 2020 Suzuka 8 Hours Race again. It’s a gruelling race, one that’s so tough mentally and physically. Winning the race in 2012 and 2019 whet my appetite to go back for more. So, together with Alex Lowes and Xavi Fores, we will take part with the Kawasaki Racing Team and target another win.”
Lowes added: “We’re living in scary times at the minute with this coronavirus pandemic, but we need to stick together, we need to support each other, support our family, our loved ones, and just try to get through this situation together. But brighter news is I’m really proud to be representing Kawasaki at the 2020 Suzuka 8 Hours Race. Obviously the team did a fantastic job last year winning the race, so I’m really looking forward to joining them to try and defend their title. It’s going to be the first time for me at Suzuka with the Ninja ZX-10RR, so I’m really looking forward to all of the Japanese fans’ support there, to help maybe make the race a little bit easier.”Team manager Guim Roda said that Kawasaki’s decision to announce their Suzuka plans gives race fans something to look forward too, adding: “At this time of global uncertainty we want to deliver a note of optimism. Currently many people are understandably concerned about their families and health issues. Our desire with this project is to look forward to racing success when this current health situation is under control. The riders and other team members are all committed to winning the Suzuka 8 Hours event as a positive statement and sign of future good times for Kawasaki fans everywhere.”
What is the Suzuka 8 Hour?
Although officially the final round of the Endurance World Championship, the Suzuka 8 Hour is considered the most prestigious single motorcycle race in the world.
Held at the Honda owned Suzuka circuit, the event sees all the Japanese factories pull out all the stops to take the win – bringing along their best riders, technicians and bikes as wildcard entries.
Victory in the race almost always goes to one of these ‘factory’ teams, who bring along their MotoGP and world superbike stars.
The event was at its peak in the 1980s and 1990s, with past winners including Wayne Gardner, Wayne Rainey and Mick Doohan. Valentino Rossi and Colin Edwards teamed up to win the race for Honda in 2001.
The races use superbike specification machines developed from 1000cc production bikes and the race takes place in the sweltering heat of the Japanese summer, with heavy rain not uncommon and the last hour taking place in darkness.
