EWC: Miller headlines Honda super-squad for Suzuka 8 Hour

MotoGP racer Jack Miller will headline a Honda super-squad for this year’s Suzuka 8 Hour race, as they strive to regain their crown after two years of domination by Yamaha at a circuit owned by Honda and a race started by them.

Miller will join three-time Suzuka 8 Hour winner and current Japanese Superbike contender Takumi Takahashi and Moto2 racer (and rumoured 2018 MotoGP rookie) Takaaki Nakagami at the MuSASHi RT HARC-PRO, who last won the race for Honda back in 2014 with Leon Haslam and Michael van der Mark joining Takahashi.

Speaking after today’s announcement, the Australian said: “I’m excited to be racing for the first time at the Suzuka 8 hours race with a highly competitive Honda team, MuSASHi HARC-PRO. Honda. Endurance races are different to other road races, and this will be a great opportunity for me. I’ll be aiming for the top of the podium, battling a tough race, along with a very talented, competitive team.”

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The second of the factory-supported Fireblades looking for glory in the model’s first year will be the F.C.C. TSR team headed by former world champion and current Honda WSBK racer Stefan Bradl, alongside fellow German speaker Dominique Aegerter.

And, with the all-important race in it’s fortieth year this year, Bradl says he’s delighted to be able to take part: “I’m extremely honoured to be a part of the F.C.C. TSR Honda team that’s racing in EWC. I’m also excited to be racing in the Suzuka 8 hours on its 40th anniversary. I think there will be different challenges setting up the new CBR1000RR SP2 with the team for endurance racing compared to what I’m accustomed to, but our goal is big, we’re aiming to win.”

There’ll be more familiar names in other Honda teams as well, with the Moriwaki Motul squad headed by former Suzuka winner and former MCE British Superbike champion Ryuichi Kiyonari alongside former Grand Prix racer Yuki Takahashi. His former teammate Jason O’Halloran will also line up, joining the Sakurai Honda squad for the race.

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