Green GSX-R shines in Suzuka | Eco-friendly Suzuki achieves impressive eighth place in endurance race

Team Suzuki CN Challenge raced an experimental GSX-R1000R superbike fitted with multiple greener parts to an impressive eighth place at the 45th Suzuka Eight Hours Endurance race late last month, finishing just four laps down on the winners, Team HRC.

• Related: Suzuki GSX-R1000R review

Part of a wider project looking into the future sustainability of production combustion motorcycles, the bike ran on 40% bio-sourced fuel from Elf, as well as engine oil from Motul, made from a bio-sourced base oil.

Long time performance upgrade partners Yoshimura also produced a full system race exhaust complete with a catalytic converter to absorb some emissions, whilst Bridgestone supplied tyres with an increased volume of recycled material.

“At the start of last week I thought it was amazing that we were able to make it to the final without any problems, despite the unusually short preparation time,” Team Director, Shinichi Sahara said on July 25. “From then on, the team and riders worked perfectly, and we made it to the final day without any trouble. We not only finished the race as we had aimed, but we also finished in eighth place, so I feel a real sense of accomplishment.”

The former MotoGP team boss continued: “This doesn’t mean the project is over, and we still have work to do to gather data, verify sustainable items, and set our next goal.

“I think this is a result of everyone’s dedication, including the fans who supported this initiative, the partner companies, and the people at each workplace who supported the team members. I hope to continue this success in the future.”

Company President, Toshihiro Suzuki added before the race: “By making development of sustainable fuel and other sustainable items of Yoshimura Japan, who has been working alongside us for a long time, and other partners in such a challenging environment, I believe that it will lead not only to improving Suzuki’s environmental performance technologies, but also to contribute to personnel development and to increase motivation, which will be linked to making even better products in the future.”