Josh Waters will head to Suzuka this weekend for testing, commencing on Tuesday.

Australia’s Suzuka 8 Hours contenders will head to Japan this weekend for initial testing ahead of the race weekend on 27-29 July.

Team Suzuki’s Josh Waters, plus Team Honda Racing regulars Wayne Maxwell and Jamie Stauffer, will depart Sydney for Japan on Sunday.

Waters will join the iconic Yoshimura Suzuki squad for the event aboard a World Superbike specification GSX-R1000, partnering with experienced Japanese star Nobuatsu Aoki and Crescent Suzuki World Superbike regular Leon Camier.

“I’m just getting ready to fly over to Japan, packing my gear and making sure I’m ready,” Waters said today. “I’m really looking forward to going over to Japan and that will be the first time I’ll ever get to ride in the night.

“We’ll test on Tuesday and Wednesday and then I’ll be going to spend time at Nobu’s place for around eight days. After that we go back to Suzuka for the final two days of testing before the race.”

Maxwell and Stauffer will once again represent Dream RT Sakurai Honda team, looking to bounce back after suffering a DNF while running fourth in 2011.

“After last year Jamie and I definitely have some unfinished business at the track, we are excited to be returning this year and are planning to go back and finish well,” Maxwell said.

“We’ve been able to learn from last year and certain things will be improved, we are looking forward to getting over there to do some laps during testing.”

Waters currently leads the ASBK title chase ahead of Maxwell and Stauffer, who won last time out at Queensland Raceway.