The 47th edition of the FIM Endurance World Championship "Coca-Cola" Suzuka 8 Hours got underway on Sunday at the Suzuka Circuit for Round 3 of the 2026 FIM Endurance World Championship.

The day began with a 45-minute warm-up session held in wet conditions after rain fell between 08:30 and 09:15, giving teams one final opportunity to check their wet-weather setup ahead of the race.

Jonathan Rea set the fastest lap of the session for Honda HRC with a time of 2:20.189. By race time at 11:30, the rain had cleared and the eight-hour race started with the track still wet and with an air temperature of 23°C.

Starting from pole position, Takumi Takahashi made a strong start aboard the Honda CBR1000RR-R FIREBLADE SP #30 and established himself among the front runners from the opening laps. After ten laps, the Japanese rider moved into the race lead before the first safety car intervention neutralized the race. Following almost 30 minutes of neutralisation, racing resumed at 12:39, with Honda HRC running second overall.

HRC completed two pit stops during the opening four hours, with Takahashi ending his first 33-lap stint in the lead before handing over to Jonathan Rea. Rea consolidated Honda HRC’s lead until the end of lap 66, when he handed the #30 CBR1000RR-R FIREBLADE SP back to Takahashi.

At the end of the fourth hour, Takumi Takahashi pitted on lap 92 to hand the Honda #30 over to Jonathan Rea once again, with Honda HRC continuing to lead the Suzuka 8 Hours.

Corentin Perolari took the start for F.C.C. TSR Honda France from sixth on the grid and made an excellent opening stint, climbing to fourth position within the first 30 minutes before the safety car interrupted the race.

Once racing resumed, Perolari remained among the leading group before making the first scheduled pit stop after 27 laps. He handed the Honda CBR1000RR-R FIREBLADE SP #5 to John McPhee while in fifth position, with the Scottish rider rejoining in eleventh place.

McPhee quickly recovered to tenth place before a second safety car was deployed at 13:05, following a rider crash and heavy rain that affected the circuit.

Racing resumed at 13:44, with McPhee still aboard the Honda #5 in tenth position. The next stint was completed by Alan Techer, who continued the team's strong progress by moving the bike up to seventh place.

Just into the fourth hour, Techer was stopped at the track and took the Honda #5 back the pits for check.

Tati Team AVA6 Racing's race came to an early end after Mike Di Meglio suffered a mechanical problem during the opening half hour. Despite returning to the pits, the team was ultimately forced to retire and abandon the Suzuka 8 Hours.

In the Superstock category, a non-permanent Honda-powered team, NCXX RACING with RIDERS CLUB delivered an impressive performance. Starting 21st overall and second in the class, the team led by Tetsuta Nagashima moved into the Superstock lead before the halfway point.

Wójcik Racing Team #77 SST performed an excellent opening half of the race. Jordi Torres started 32nd overall and seventh in the Superstock class before moving the Honda #77 up to 22nd overall and fourth in class at the first rider change, handing over to Oscar Gutiérrez Iglesias. By the end of the fourth hour, the team had climbed onto the provisional Superstock podium in second place.

Another non-permanent Honda entry, SANRIO CHARACTERS × Honda Kumamoto Racing #43, also delivered an excellent performance. Starting 38th overall and 10th in the Superstock category, the team steadily worked its way through the field to hold third place in class at the halfway point.

With four hours remaining, changing weather conditions continued to play a decisive role as the battle for victory entered its final phase.