Honda’s Suzuka 8 Hours Challenge ③ 2000-09
The 46th of the '2025 FIM Endurance World Championship Coca-Cola Suzuka 8 Hours Endurance Road Race' will be held from August 1 to 3, 2025. As the opening approaches, anticipation is high for this year's thrilling 'Suzuka 8 Hours.' We will look back at how Honda has continued to challenge itself on this stage, reflecting on its history by era.
2000–09
During this decade, Honda demonstrated overwhelming presence with Tohru Ukawa setting a record for the most wins and the future MotoGP legend Valentino Rossi's remarkable performances. Despite changes in machines from the VTR1000SPW to the CBR1000RR, Honda continued to win, achieving ten consecutive victories. It was a period marked by brilliant records.
2000 VTR1000SPW
WINNER
Tohru Ukawa / Daijiro Kato
Honda introduces the 1000cc V2-powered VTR1000SPW. Valentino Rossi (/ Colin Edwards, VTR1000SPW) leads his debut race, but crashes. Tohru Ukawa / Daijiro Kato (VTR1000SPW) take the top spot to give Honda its fourth consecutive Suzuka 8 Hours win.
2001
WINNER
Valentino Rossi / Colin Edwards / Manabu Kamata
Surviving the frantic early stages, Valentino Rossi / Colin Edwards / Manabu Kamada (VTR1000SPW) and Tadayuki Okada / Alex Barros / Shinichi Itoh (VTR1000SPW) emerge as the contenders. Barros’ mistake while handing over the bike for the last time costs the team 30 seconds, giving Edwards the win.
2002
WINNER
Daijiro Kato / Colin Edwards
On a six-stop strategy, Daijiro Kato / Colin Edwards (VTR1000SPW) leads Makoto Tamada / Tadayuki Okada (VTR1000SPW). In the late stages, third-place Alex Barros (VTR1000SPW) charges in the rain, but has to settle for third.
2003
WINNER
Manabu Kamata / Yukio Nukumi
Nicky Hayden / Ryuichi Kiyonari (VTR1000SPW) slip on oil, crashing out on Lap 2. Manabu Kamata / Yukio Nukumi (VTR1000SPW) take the lead on the seventh hour mark, giving Honda its seventh consecutive Suzuka 8 Hours win.
2004 CBR1000RR
WINNER
Tohru Ukawa / Hitoyasu Izutsu
Tohru Ukawa / Hitoyasu Izutsu (CBR1000RRW) take the lead soon after the race starts. As contenders crash and retire, Tohru Ukawa / Hitoyasu Izutsu maintain a solid lead to win.
2005
WINNER
Ryuichi Kiyonari / Tohru Ukawa
Ryuichi Kiyonari / Tohru Ukawa (CBR1000RRW) take the lead after a solid start. Light rain during the race was no concern as Ryuichi Kiyonari / Tohru Ukawa rode a perfect race to victory. Ukawa sets a new record of five Suzuka 8 Hours wins.
2006
WINNER
Takeshi Tsujimura / Shinichi Itoh
Ryuichi Kiyonari / Makoto Tamada (CBR1000RRW) led the early stages, but an unplanned pit stop on Lap 16 handed the lead, and victory, to Takeshi Tsujimura / Shinichi Itoh (CBR1000RR).
2007
Pole-sitter Tadayuki Okada (/Carlos Checa, CBR1000RRW) was given a 30 second stop penalty due to a start procedure violation. Determined to regain lost time, they were back up to second by Lap 107, but were unable to catch race leader Yukio Kagayama / Kousuke Akiyoshi (Suzuki).
2008
WINNER
Ryuichi Kiyonari / Carlos Checa
WSB Teammates Ryuichi Kiyonari / Carlos Checa (CBR1000RRW) lead the early stages after a solid start. Mid-race light rain and Checa’s penalty stop were not enough to keep the team from winning.
2009
Race favorites Kousuke Akiyoshi / Shinichi Itoh (CBR1000RRW) led the early stages from pole position, but fell. After four safety car interventions due to showers, Daisaku Sakai / Kazuki Tokudome / Nobuatsu Aoki (Suzuki) went on to win.