Rea added to works Kawasaki line-up for Suzuka 8h
Three-time World Superbike champion Jonathan Rea will contest this year's Suzuka 8 Hour for the factory Kawasaki team.
Photo by: Toni Börner
Rea, who won the Japanese endurance event in 2012 aboard a FCC TSR Honda, last raced at Suzuka in 2014, the final year before he switched to the all-conquering Kawasaki squad in WSBK.
This year the Ulsterman will return as part of Kawasaki's 'Team Green' squad, joining another former winner Leon Haslam and Japanese Superbike star Kazuma Watanabe on board its ZX-10RR.
"I’m really excited and honoured to be involved with Team Green for this year's Suzuka 8 Hours," said Rea. "It’s a race very close to my heart and after winning in 2012 it was always my intention to return to this race.
"Since I joined Kawasaki, we have always spoken about working together on this project and now is the right time with the schedule fitting perfect with my WSBK programme.
"It’s one of the toughest races in the world and a true test of man and machine. I will also do some testing before the race to ensure we arrived prepared."
In last year's Suzuka 8h, Kawasaki finished second to Yamaha with Haslam, Watanabe and Azlan Shah sharing the #11 Team Green bike.
Its only victory came in 1993 with Scott Russell and Aaron Slight.
Be part of Motorsport community
Join the conversationShare Or Save This Story
Yamamoto 'never imagined' scoring podium on injury comeback in Super Formula
Pourchaire “worried” for Super Formula prospects after nightmare debut
How Cassidy emerged triumphant from "mayhem" in Portland FE slow-burner
Rea gets first taste of Yamaha WSBK machinery in Jerez test
Rea signs two-year Yamaha WSBK deal after Kawasaki exit
Kawasaki announces Rea's exit ahead of Yamaha switch
Kawasaki signs Bassani to replace Yamaha-bound Rea in WSBK
Lowes to skip Aragon WSBK round after knee surgery
Bassani on pole position for Rea’s Kawasaki WSBK ride
Shanghai F1 grass fire mystery remains; emergency team on standby
F1 live: Follow the Chinese GP Sprint race as it happens
2024 F1 Chinese GP sprint qualifying results: Lando Norris takes pole
The Haas F1 updates that have bucked a sprint race trend
Subscribe and access Motorsport.com with your ad-blocker.
From Formula 1 to MotoGP we report straight from the paddock because we love our sport, just like you. In order to keep delivering our expert journalism, our website uses advertising. Still, we want to give you the opportunity to enjoy an ad-free and tracker-free website and to continue using your adblocker.
Top Comments