6th Victory/Consecutive Victory Since 1987-1988
On Sunday 31st July 2016, the 39th "Coca-Cola Zero" Suzuka 8 hours FIM Endurance World Championship was held at Suzuka and YAMAHA FACTORY RACING TEAM made a second consecutive victory with the record of 218 laps made by Katsuyuki Nakasuga, Pol Espargaró and Alex Lowes.
It was the team's 6th victory and the first consecutive victory in 28 years since 1987-1988. YART Yamaha Official EWC Team's Broc Parkes, Kouta Nozane and Takuya Fujita finished the race with 214 laps and came 4th only one step away from the podium.
At 11:30 am Sunday 31st July 2016 Suzuka 8 hours started with customary Le Mans style. Katsuyuki Nakasuga, starting rider of the YAMAHA FACTORY RACING TEAM arrived 3rd at the first corner but dropped his position at the hair pin curve.
However he quickly climbed back to 2nd position in the 2nd lap with a match race with Ryuichi Kiyonari from Suzuki Motors. Nakasuga waited for Kiyonari to drop his pace and took lead at the chicane in lap 17.
Second rider Alex Lowes stably made it through and handed the YZF-R1 over to Pol Espargaró who also continued building the lead pushing rivals away.
At lap 105, during his second ride, Nakasuga marked 2 minutes 8 seconds 441 which was the fastest lap of the race. At this point he had a massive lead of 1 minute 40 seconds from Yoshimura Suzuki in 2nd position.
YAMAHA FACTORY RACING TEAM continued its routine in the racing pit providing the machine with perfect pit maintenance and made 218 laps to win consecutive victory. The 218 lap record is the first greatest record since the chicane was first set for motorcycles in 2004. It was also the first consecutive victory since 1987 (Martin Wimmer/Kevin Magee) and 1988 (Kevin Magee/Wayne Rainey).
From the YART Yamaha Official EWC Team, a regular team participating in worldwide endurance races, Broc Parkes took 4 stints, Kouta Nozane took 3 stints and Takuya Fujita made 1 stint and won 4th position which is the best record they have made at world endurance races so far.
The GMT94 Yamaha Official EWC Team had technical trouble at the beginning of the race and had to face an intense boost to get the machine back into the game but finally crossed the line in 14th position.
Comments
#21 YAMAHA FACTORY RACING TEAM
Final Race: Winner (218 laps: 8:00’40.124)
YAMAHA FACTORY RACING TEAM: Katsuyuki Nakasuga
"During the 1st stint I focused on following Ryuichi Kiyonari (Suzuki). The machine had improved fuel consumption compared to last year so there was no need to worry about that but I decided not to overdo myself because I knew I could rely on Pol and Alex. Today was the hottest day throughout the week and to be honest, I did restrain myself. I am thrilled about the consecutive victory which was achieved thanks to the brilliant team. I'd also like to thank you all for your support."
YAMAHA FACTORY RACING TEAM: Pol Espargaró
"I'm very happy and very satisfied with this win, for me, for Alex and for Nakasuga-san because we really deserved it. From the start of the test we have worked so hard to get the best for us three. After last year, to win two times with Nakasuga-san and one time with Alex is amazing. I'm sure Alex will complete the second one next year! I just want to say thanks to Yamaha, to all the people that support this fantastic team, because we are three riders but a lot of mechanics and other people work in the Yamaha Factory Team. Thanks so much to Alex and Nakasuga, they were amazing today, I can't say anymore, just thanks!"
YAMAHA FACTORY RACING TEAM: Alex Lowes
"Obviously I'm really very, very happy; this is the first time I've won this event. The whole week for me has been fantastic, it's a totally different experience to my normal racing championship and the atmosphere we have in the team and the relationship we have has been really enjoyable, both on the track and off the track. The feeling you get when you win is fantastic and it's been a couple of years since I've felt that so I'm happy! I want to say a massive thank you to the whole Yamaha Factory Racing Team for inviting me here; all the staff and guys have been fantastic. Pol and Nakasuga-san have been fantastic team mates, they're really fast which has made the job a lot easier for me so a big thank you to them and hopefully I'll be back next year!"
Yamaha Factory Racing Team Manager: Wataru Yoshikawa
"For the past year we have been making many preparations to win this Suzuka 8 hours race. And today we proceeded the race just as we had planned and won the top of the podium two years in a row. No safety cars no rain and the battle went on for 8 hours. The 218 lap is the new record for the current course layout and that is a very satisfying result. This year the racers and the team staff got together as a team to compete in the race as planned. We are grateful to fans and staffs who have supported us. Thank you very much."
#7 YART Yamaha Official EWC Team
Final Race: Fourth (214 laps: 8:02’24.705)
YART Yamaha Official EWC Team: Broc Parkes
"Honestly we did not expect the result that we got. Kohta really stepped up today and we couldn't have hoped for a better result because we couldn't have done better than that. The top three were quite a bit further away so fourth was the ideal spot today. I had to do quite a bit of work, I rode half the race, but I felt like I needed to do it so I could finish in the dark and keep the gap because it was so close between fourth and seventh and we could easily have slipped back. It's good for the championship points; it's really close at the top so coming to Oschersleben things could be interesting. It's a track I like well and the bike works well there so we can have a go at the championship title."
YART Yamaha Official EWC Team: Kouta Nozane
"I'm satisfied with 4th position. I'm really worn out. I continued to run after Broc and the first 2 stints that I made were fine but after I made a switch with Broc and he made a switch with me again our stride began to break. It was difficult for me to concentrate at this point and that was very frustrating. But it was the first time for me to compete in the Suzuka 8 hours and it was a great experience. I've learned a lot of things and tasks that should be accomplished for future races. It was Broc that led us to 4th position and I appreciate him for the exciting experience he has given us."
YART Yamaha Official EWC Team: Takuya Fujita
''In the final race I only participated in 1 stint. To be honest, I really wanted to be on the course much more but followed the team decision. I was on the final course and believe I have contributed to the top-ten record as well. It was an honor to be a member of the YART Yamaha Official EWC Team and I've had a great opportunity learning from the final race and qualifying tests. I will make the best use of the experience I've gained here and will do my best to show how much I've developed my racing skills.''
YART Yamaha Official EWC Team Manager: Mandy Kainz
"Our result today was fourth, but to us it feels like a win. The team worked really well. Especially Broc, who put on an absolutely amazing performance. His riding was perfect. I think our two young Japanese riders both gained a lot of experience from this weekend. In any case, our race today was perfect! We want to come here again and put on another flawless performance like we did today."
#94 GMT94 Yamaha Official EWC Team
Final Race: 14th Position (210 laps: 8:02’41.444)
GMT94 Yamaha Official EWC Team: David Checa
"I gave everything today. This race was very hard for us and for the team. But now we must turn to the 8H of Oschersleben, where we won last year. I love this circuit and we have often succeeded there."
GMT94 Yamaha Official EWC Team: Niccolo Canepa
"After our victory in Portimão last month, I really thought the podium was within reach. I am of course disappointed but delighted to have discovered the Suzuka circuit. I had a great race and I look forward to the next race in Germany."
GMT94 Yamaha Official EWC Team: Lucas Mahias
"In our misfortune I am still lucky. David Checa, Niccolo Canepa and GMT94 bring me seven points that consolidate my first position in the provisional world championship. I'm looking forward to Oschersleben to help them win another victory."
GMT94 Yamaha Official EWC Team Manager: Christophe Guyot
'We had trouble with our lights and lost 6 laps spending time on repairing and checkups. It was like a nightmare. We fixed it up and ended up in 14th position but if we didn't have trouble, we would have finished the race in 4th position. It is regretful. But the racers and the YZF-R1 performed splendidly. It is worthy for the team to participate in Suzuka 8 hours and compete with high level Japanese teams. Next year we will compete again to aim the podium like we did four years ago. I would also like to congratulate the YAMAHA FACTORY RACING TEAM for their second consecutive victory at Suzuka. It is important for YAMAHA to compete at Suzuka 8 hours with a factory team with the techniques achieved at the MotoGP and expand networks to improve endurance race teams like out team. We will continue to do our best to improve the level of our team as a member of the YAMAHA Team.
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Original Source [ YAMAHA Motor Co., Ltd. ] (*Japanese)
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