Mandy Kainz finally got to celebrate a podium finish in Japan’s round of the FIM Endurance World Championship, describing the achievement as a “real dream come true”.
Kainz, who heads up Yamalube YART Yamaha EWC Official Team, oversaw riders Niccolò Canepa, Marvin Fritz and Karel Hanika claim a richly deserved runner-up placing in the 45th Coca-Cola Suzuka 8 Hours Endurance Race to Team HRC with Japan Post by 7.860s.
YART started the event from pole position after it won the Top 10 Trial, the first for Yamaha sine 2017, and joined Team HRC in completing 220 laps to break the previous record of 219 set by Team Cabin in 2002.
“Honestly, this podium at Suzuka is a real dream come true,” Kainz said. “I have been so close in the past, but finally, we have done it. We showed our potential all week, and the team has done an amazing job. The bike was set up perfectly for the race, the riders showed great pace, and we didn’t miss a beat with the pit stops.
“Ever since I started YART, I have dreamt of this moment, and I could not be prouder of the entire team for their efforts. I also want to thank Yamaha, Bridgestone, and everyone who supports us. We will enjoy the moment, for sure, but we are already looking forward to the Bol d’Or.”
YART’s Suzuka performance allowed it to move ahead of Yoshimura SERT Motul and to the top of the EWC standings with just the season-deciding Bol d’Or from 12-15 September remaining. If it stays in front of its rivals, the Austrian team will win back-to-back EWC titles.
