I’ve never experienced the heat and track temperature on Day 1, but still managed to set fast lap times. Today, I took Takahashi’s advice while riding, getting to learn a different approach to what I have known. There was nothing negative when I rode today. I don’t have much Suzuka 8 Hours experience, so I’m counting on Takahashi’s experience, and want to learn. I hope we can improve further for Qualifying. We managed 2 min 6 s laps on Day 1 and 2 min 7.0 on Day 2, both on worn tires, so we’re doing quite well to date. We haven’t concentrated on fast lap times, so I hope we can aim for great times in Qualifying.

I concentrated on going over the bike on Day 1. I had a fall, so on Day 2 I asked the engineers to set up the suspension to test an idea I had, which they did for me. It made riding easier for me, but Nagashima and Lecuona’s impressions are more important, so I’ll leave it up to the team on how we proceed. Nagashima’s comments were positive, which is great. We didn’t worry about lap times today. In Friday’s Qualifying, I’m aiming to help make the bike easier to ride and less physically demanding for our riders.

I had a WorldSBK race last weekend, so I arrived at Suzuka late last night. I coudn’t make it in time for Day 1 tests, but riding from the afternoon session on Day 2, I got a feel for the famed Suzuka 8 Hours heat and track temperature. I was aiming to test the bike’s setup, but with the heat and difficulty of the track, it was quite an effort to learn the track. I’m leaving the bike’s setup to the other two, and I want to learn from them, so based on that, I’ll make my own adjustments and aim for faster lap times. I’ve managed 2 min 7 s laps during the previous tests, so that’s the level I’m aiming for.

The conditions were extremely difficult, with high temperatures and a slippery track, so I did everything, nearly turning the bike back to front, to explore a setup that worked in these conditions. Nothing seemed to work though. Once the track temperature came down this afternoon, the bike felt like a normal bike. Through these two days of testing, we know our pace. Now I think it is important that we ride with consistency for the race. As long as the track temperature doesn’t rise too much during the race, I think we have a solid bike and I’m looking forward to racing. Overall, it’s pretty good.

It was a tough two days of testing, but that’s exactly what we expected. It’s very hot here. Yesterday we ran many laps, although the temperature was about 45℃ (38℃ air temperature / over 60℃ track temperature at 10am). We did not ride long distances, but we did many laps. The reason for many short sessions on track was that I could not quite get the feel here, like with European bikes. So, from yesterday to today I tried many different iterations of the Japan-spec Bridgestone tires. By the end of the sessions, I managed to improve my race pace and feel for the bike, even on soft tires, so I think I made good progress. There are a few issues left, but my race pace is good, which is the most important thing in an eight-hour race. 

The two days of testing went well for me, but it was extremely hot. The conditions were equally hot for everyone though. We’re behind the Honda and Kawasaki factory teams, but we’re not doing bad at all. We have to keep our concentration up during the race to gain as many championship points as possible. I’ll be focusing on riding each session error-free and gaining bonus championship points.

It was hard to set up the bike because the tests were held in high air and track temperatures. Setting up a bike to race for eight hours is difficult, but through trial and error we can find the right solutions, little by little, so the two days of tests were very satisfying. Our average lap times between the three riders is consistent, so we’ll do everything we can during the eight hours. It will be a hot race, but I hope everyone will cheer us on.

I couldn’t take part on Day 2 of the previous tests, but Nagoe and Enokido continued to set up the bike, so I could start with these tests on a well-prepared bike. We tried many ideas to avoid problems when the track temperature rose, and in the end our pace was good, so I think the tests went well. First, we’ll try to get into the Top 10 Trial, get a good grid position, and work hard as a team to get good results. 

Each test session was hotter than before, but these two days were even hotter, making bike setup difficult, and above all, it was physically demanding. It was good that we were careful in keeping our concentration up, and managed to try out a lot of options. The first Suzuka 8 Hours in three years will be my first Suzuka 8 Hours ever. This is the first time I will be riding for such long hours, but I’ll do my best for the team, playing my part.

It was my first time on the new CBR1000RR-R at the last tests, so I think I did not fully understand the setup and tire characteristics. I think that through these two days of testing, I have found a positive setup. First we’ll try to get into the Top 10 Trial. We’ll be doing our best in Qualifying and the race, so I hope all our fans will cheer for us.

I didn’t feel quite right during the previous tests, but I have been able to relax on the bike for the past two days, riding 26-lap stints, and my lap times are consistent, so I think we’re in a really good position. Honda Asia-Dream Racing with SHOWA is in a really good position. I’ll do my best as a rider, so I hope everyone will support us.

This is the second round of tests, so with the experience I gained from the first tests, I think it is getting along really well. I’ll do my best to ride faster, closing the gap with my teammates. Honda fans, thank you always for your support. We’ll be doing our best this weekend, so I hope you’ll be cheering us on.