Return to Yoshimura Suzuki nets second Suzuka rostrum.
Australian Josh Waters’ anticipated return to the Yoshimura Suzuki Shell Advance team for yesterday’s 37th Suzuka 8 Hours was a successful one, claiming his second podium in the prestigious Japanese event.
Waters, Takuya Tsuda and Randy De Puniet closed to within 60 seconds of victory in a delayed event that was plagued by intermittent rain, forcing extra pit stops to change tyres along with several Safety Car situations following crashes.
In the Sprint Start, Tsuda established himself in second, but crashed on lap eight before he remounted to start a climb back through the field and into fourth position.
De Puniet took over the Yoshimura Suzuki on lap 76 and the Frenchman got up into second position – putting in the fastest lap of the race to that point of 2m09.426 as the conditions dried again, but the following laps saw the Safety Car out following crashes, allowing the pack to bunch-up again.
The closing stages also saw more drama with crashes and Safety Car situations – one lasting 18 minutes – then as Waters took his last stint on the Yoshimura Suzuki GSX-R as night fell, there was an issue with the headlight not working which would have caused the team to be excluded.
However crisis was averted as the headlight finally switched on and Waters tried his hardest to hunt down new race leaders Musashi Harc-Pro in the final laps, closing the gap to 59.844 seconds.
“It was really crazy weather conditions; sunny and then heavy rain,” Waters commented. “It was totally unpredictable throughout the race, lots of Safety Cars but I am sure we did our best today.”
Teammate Randy De Puniet, a first-timer at Suzuka, said it was a great experience and hopes to return for the brand in the future.
“It was really difficult conditions today, but this is my first time racing at the Suzuka 8 Hours and it’s been a very good experience,” he said. “My teammates and the Yoshimura team staff all did their best and kept the battle going until the finish line. It is really a precious experience for me and I hope to be back here next year to race again.”
Japanese ace Takuya Tsuda was frustrated finishing second for the second year in a row, vowing to return in 2015 for the victory.
“I know we all did our best but I’m not satisfied with the result,” Tsuda said. “I will do my best again though next year to win.”