Waters to race Suzuka with Yoshimura

Yoshimura Suzuki have announced their main rider line-up for the Suzuka 8 hours, with Tyco Suzuki MCE British Superbike racer Josh Waters joining Takuya Tsuda, last year’s runner-up with the team, as Shell also come onboard as title sponsor.

Double Australian champion Waters has previous history with the Japanese family-run team, finishing in second at Suzuka back in 2011 with them while riding for Suzuki Australia, as well as making a number of WSB wildcard appearances with them the same year, while Tsuda also races for the team in the All Japan Championship JSB series.

Waters said after the announcement:” I am very excited to be joining Yoshimura Suzuki Shell ADVANCE for this Suzuka 8 hour since some of my best racing memories have been at Suzuka and with Yoshimura Suzuki! My team mate, Takuya is very fast and we have a great team behind us. So, we are going to be one of the strongest team this year.”

“Yoshimura Suzuki every year at the Suzuka 8 hour is fighting for the victory, this year we will try even harder to achieve the best result as it is a very special year for Yoshimura as it’s their 60th year since company has started. I feel very lucky to be a part of it.”

Tsuda added: “I am so glad and excited to race Suzuka 8H again at Yoshimura Suzuki Shell ADVANCE. It is the 60th anniversary for Yoshimura and I am proud to be in the team. Last year, we were in the winning position but finished second after a couple of racing accidents.”

“We do not need such experience again and we will just push hard to finish race at the highest podium position. Since my team mate Josh Waters is very fast at Suzuka, my team crews are always reliable and team will build the best race machine, so it is going to be possible.We will do our best at the 8H, and will try to bring the 5th victory for the team!”