Monster Energy Tech3 Yamaha MotoGP teammates Pol Espargaro and Bradley Smith will team up with Japanese Superbike Champion Katsuyuki Nakasuga on a specially build factory Yamaha YZF-R1 for this year’s Suzuka 8 Hour, to be held from July 23-26 in Japan.
It will be the first time Smith and Espargaro have entered the iconic race, and indeed 2015 will see the first Yamaha factory team since the 2002 event as the Tuning Fork brand attempts to take its first Suzuka win in 19 years.
“I feel honored to take part in Suzuka, but there will be a lot to learn,” Espargaro said. “I am under no illusion that it will be easy as I have never raced in an endurance event before and I don‘t know the YZF-R1, even though a lot of people speak very highly about it.”
For Smith, the race serves as chance to try another form of racing after a career spent in Grand Prix.
“I‘m looking forward to trying a new form of motorcycle racing and even more so along with my MotoGP teammate Pol and Katsuyuki Nakasuga, who has a strong record at this special race. I think it will be an unforgettable event and it will add another chapter to my life with Yamaha.”
The Suzuka 8 Hour has gradually seen a resurgence in importance on the international racing scene following a slump when MotoGP riders deserted the event a decade ago. Proof of this is not only the Tech3 announcement but also the news of Casey Stoner’s return to racing in the official HRC factory team alongside WSBK rider and current 8 Hour champion, Michael Van Der Mark and Takuma Takahashi
