Honda Viltaïs Racing Team Manager Yannick Lucot said his squad’s capture of 13th position in the 44th Coca-Cola Suzuka 8 Hours Endurance Race meant it could be “satisfied” as it headed home to France from Japan.
Florian Alt, Leandro Mercado and Steven Odendaal combined to score more important points for the FIM Endurance World Championship’s leading privateer outfit, which was competing at the legendary venue for only the second time.
We knew it was going to be a demanding race in such hot track conditions, said Lucot. We managed to get the best out of [the Pirelli tyres], as we set the Suzuka lap record on these tyres. That’s the first reason for satisfaction. And of the first 14 bikes to finish, nine came from Japanese teams and were prepared exclusively for this race. In the end, we finished fifth among the permanent EWC teams. We come away with eight more points, which is also satisfying. We’ve learnt a lot and we’ll be back in 2024 even stronger. The riders didn’t make any mistakes and the bike performed well, so I’m satisfied with our result.
While Alt had previous Suzuka knowledge, it was a trip into the unknown for circuit rookies Mercado and Odendaal. Despite his lack of experience, Odendaal impressed by charging through the pack from 21st to 12th at the start.
Honda Viltaïs Racing starts next month’s season-deciding Bol d’Or sixth in the provisional FIM Endurance World Championship for Teams and first in the Independent Trophy order. The French team won last year’s 100th-anniversary edition at Circuit Paul Ricard.
Original Source [ FIM EWC ]
