VAN DER MARK AND STONER TOGETHER IN SUZUKA 8 HOURS
Two times Suzuka winner Michael van der Mark, two-time MotoGP Champion Casey Stoner and MFJ All Japan Road Race JSB1000 Championship and HRC test rider Takumi Takahashi will be looking to clinch Honda’s sixth consecutive win in the Suzuka 8 Hours on the Honda’s MuSASHi RT HARC-PRO CBR1000RR Fireblade. Having recently renewed his testing contract with HRC, Stoner tested the Suzuka CBR1000RR machine during January’s Sepang test.
Michael van der Mark: “The Suzuka 8 Hour race is such a special event for all the fans and the Japanese people and not many riders get the chance to take part, even though many would like to. I also know what an important event it is for Honda so it’s a great honor for me to be asked to race the CBR1000RR once more, and this time with Casey as our teammate! The testing and race schedule is quite tough to combine with the World Superbike Championship but I really enjoy riding at Suzuka so I’m very happy to make time for it. The bike is very different to my World Superbike CBR but it’s easy to ride so it’s not big problem to change. I’ve had two fantastic years with a great team and it would be really nice and something quite special to get a hat-trick of wins.”
Casey Stoner about his new team mates: “I’ve been impressed with Michael van der Mark this season and Takumi Takahashi has a lot of experience on this machine, so I’m looking forward to hearing their comments and working together with them in preparation for the July race.”
This year’s Suzuka 8 Hours will take place on Sunday 26th July. At the official Honda Racing Corporation website, you can find more information and comments about Stoner’s fantastic return to racing.