Yamaha On Pole For Suzuka 8 Hours

Cycle News Staff | July 28, 2012

Katsuyuki Nakasuga ripped off a 2:06.845 lap of the Suzuka Circuit in Japan today to earn pole position for his Monster Energy Yamaha YART heading into Sunday’s Suzuka 8 Hours.

The Michelin-mounted Yamaha team bested the Honda of Musashi RT Harco-Pro and the Yoshimura Suzuki team – two of the favorites for Sunday’s race. The last time a Yamaha sat on pole for the 8 Hour was in 2000 when Noriyuki Haga go the job done.

Musashi RT Harc-Pros’ Ryuichi led that team with his 2:07.063 with Takumi Takahashi not far off his teammate with a 2:07.624 – a second and a half under his best lap in qualifying.

Yoshimura Suzuki Racing Team, who came into the “Top 10 Trial” on pole position, was led to third by Australian Josh Waters and his 2:07.297.

FCC TSR Honda will be starting from fourth on the grid after besting the Honda of Toho Racing with Moriwaki, Eva RT Trick Star’s Kawasaki, and Honda Dream RT Sakurai.

The day’s biggest disappointment was the Suzuki Endurance Racing Team as Yukio Kagayama and Vincent Philippe were unable to improve on their times from qualifying and they will start the race from the eighth spot.