Honda HRC had originally planned to compete with test rider Takumi Takahashi, MotoGP competitor Johann Zarco, and World Superbike Championship (WSBK) competitor Iker Lecuona. However, Lecuona suffered an injury in a multi-bike crash at the start of Race 1 in WSBK Round 8, prompting the team to call up his WSBK teammate Xavi Vierge as a substitute. Vierge, who won the 2023 Suzuka 8 Hours alongside Takahashi and Tetsuta Nagashima, brings invaluable experience to the team. As a result, Honda HRC still fields a formidable trio of past Suzuka 8 Hours winners.
Team Manager Teruaki Matsubara commented, “Xavi (Vierge) was on our shortlist from the beginning as a potential rider for the Suzuka 8 Hours. He’s a former winner and someone we trust with full confidence. While missing the earlier tests is a handicap, we don’t see it as a major disadvantage. Both Takahashi and Zarco understand the situation, and today’s testing was focused primarily around Xavi.”
Vierge joined the team on Tuesday, July 29, the day before the testing sessions and participated in pit stop practice with the crew.
On the test day, Wednesday, July 30, while the air temperature was announced as 33°C, the temperature felt on the circuit was significantly higher, with riders facing intense sunlight throughout the sessions.
Session 1 took place from 9:00 to 10:30 AM. The FIM Endurance World Championship (EWC) team YART – YAMAHA (Yamaha) topped the timesheets with a 2:06.630 lap, followed closely by Honda HRC at 2:06.748. These top two teams were the only ones to dip into the 2:06 range. Team ATJ with docomo business (Satoru Iwata, Kouki Suzuki, Takuma Kunimine) posted a 2:07.128 for fourth. F.C.C. TSR Honda France (Alan Techer, Corentin Perolari, Taiga Hada) clocked a 2:07.748 for eighth, and SDG Team HARC-PRO. Honda (Teppei Nagoe, Yuki Kunii, Keito Abe) followed in ninth with a 2:07.929. All of these teams began the day with solid performances in the 2:07 range. Astemo Pro Honda SI Racing (Kohta Nozane, Kohta Arakawa, Ryusei Yamanaka) placed 11th with a 2:08.196. Honda Asia-Dream Racing with Astemo (Nakarin Atiratphuvapat, Andi Farid Izdihar, Azroy Hakeem Anuar, Md Zaqhwan Bin Zaidi) came in 13th at 2:08.381. Honda DREAM RT Sakurai Honda (Kazuki Ito, Daijiro Hiura, Joshua Brookes) posted 2:09.569 to place 16th.
In Session 2, held from 10:45 AM to 12:00 PM, EWC team YOSHIMURA SERT Motul (Suzuki) led with a 2:06.559 lap. Honda HRC followed in second at 2:06.872, while Team ATJ with docomo business took third with a 2:07.042, with Honda teams maintaining their strong positions in the top order. A total of six teams clocked laps in the 2:07 range. F.C.C. TSR Honda France was 10th at 2:08.320, Astemo Pro Honda SI Racing was 12th at 2:08.568, and SDG Team HARC-PRO. Honda was 13th with a 2:08.601. Honda Asia-Dream Racing with Astemo recorded a 2:09.901 for 18th.
During the morning sessions, many teams prioritized giving track time to riders unfamiliar with the Suzuka 8 Hours, resulting in a wide spread of lap times across the field. Additionally, frequent red flag interruptions made it difficult for teams to complete extended runs.
In Session 3, held from 1:30 PM to 2:30 PM, Honda HRC topped the timesheets with a 2:06.706, the only team to break into the 2:06 range. EWC team F.C.C. TSR Honda France secured fourth place with a 2:07.474. The Honda contingent continued their strong showing with Astemo Pro Honda SI Racing in eighth at 2:08.581, SDG Team HARC-PRO. Honda in ninth with a 2:08.699, and Team ATJ with docomo business rounding out the top ten at 2:08.744. Honda Asia-Dream Racing with Astemo placed 15th with a 2:09.139.
Session 4 ran from 2:45 to 4:15 PM. Honda HRC broke into the 2:05 range with a 2:05.645, setting the fastest time of the day. Team ATJ with docomo business placed sixth with a 2:07.601, while Astemo Pro Honda SI Racing was 11th at 2:08.164, F.C.C. TSR Honda France took 12th with a 2:08.184, Honda DREAM RT Sakurai Honda finished 14th at 2:08.411, Honda Asia-Dream Racing with Astemo was 17th with a 2:08.795, and SDG Team HARC-PRO. Honda recorded a 2:08.829 for 18th place.
In the final session, Session 5, Honda HRC once again led the field with a 2:06.424 lap, marking three consecutive sessions at the top of the timesheets in the afternoon. Astemo Pro Honda SI Racing placed fifth with a 2:06.940, SDG Team HARC-PRO. Honda was eighth at 2:07.158, F.C.C. TSR Honda France took 11th with a 2:08.142, and Honda Asia-Dream Racing with Astemo finished 13th at 2:08.288.
The afternoon sessions continued to be disrupted by red flags, with riders repeatedly cycling in and out of the pits. F.C.C. TSR Honda France suffered three crashes, which hindered their testing due to extended repair time. During session breaks, teams conducted tire change drills and rider change simulations. Honda HRC is renowned for their pit work efficiency, with other teams stopping by to observe their procedures.
Throughout the sessions on the test day, Honda HRC ensured ample track time for Vierge, while Zarco and Takahashi focused on the machine setup and testing runs, including system checks. Despite limited time on track, Takahashi consistently ran in the 2:06 range. Zarco clocked the overall fastest lap of the day with a 2:05.645, dominating the field. Vierge concluded his running with a best lap of 2:07.195.
Reflecting on the test sessions, Team Manager Matsubara said, “We were able to complete our planned test program. Our rivals are fast and formidable, but we’re confident we can compete at the top.”