YRT Confirms Base Setup, YART Works on Race Pace on Day 2 of Official Test

Day 2 of the official joint test for the Suzuka 8 Hours took place at Suzuka Circuit on June 19. Just like on Day 1, the scorching temperatures were typical of midsummer in Japan, creating the ideal conditions to test for the race.

Yamaha Factory Racing Team (YRT) rider Katsuyuki Nakasuga and test rider Soichiro Minamimoto, along with Yamalube YART Yamaha EWC Official Team (YART) riders Marvin Fritz, Karel Hanika and Jason O'Halloran were in Group B for the test. They took to the track for two sessions: an 80 minute session starting at 9:30 a.m. and a 90 minute session starting at 2:00 p.m. for a total of 170 minutes of testing on Day 2.

In the morning session, Nakasuga got started riding for YRT and completed a few short laps before returning to the pits as planned. Following that, test rider Minamimoto rode for a long time, returning to the pit box several times as the team worked on various parts of the bike, including the fuel warning light. The repeated pit stops were a great chance for the team and mechanics improve their accuracy and cooperation in race-like conditions. Although Minamimoto was not aiming for a fast time in the session, he set a 2'07.773, which was close to Nakasuga's average pace, placing the team 14th overall and showing that the bike is continuously improving.

In the afternoon session, both Nakasuga and Minamimoto rode for YRT. Nakasuga's goal was to confirm improvements on the bike's base setup that the team had first put together at the previous test, then had made changes to at this test. Minamimoto worked on the fueling setup and strategy, and between the two they completed 19 laps in total. With that, the team brought an incident-free two day test to a close, all according to plan. Across the two days, YRT's quickest time was a 2:07.040, placing them 13th overall.

On July 3-4, Nakasuga will be joined by Jack Miller and Andrea Locatelli for a private test. They will start with the YZF-R1 using the base setup Nakasuga has put together, and will focus on further improving stability and reliability to create the ultimate Suzuka 8 Hours weapon in time for the race.

YART made four pit stops during the morning's 80-minute session, where they confirmed changes made to the bike and worked on improving their race pace. Their best time of 2'07.123 was good for 9th fastest. It was notable that all three riders, including O'Halloran whose last experience at the 8 Hours was eight years ago, were able to lap at the same pace. In that way, their results for the session were even more positive than the 9th on the timing sheets reflected. They rode a total of 47 laps in the afternoon session with both bikes, setting a fastest time of 2'06.913 to be 9th once again.

After the test, YART riders and staff will return to Europe and continue their preparations for the race on August 1-3.

#21YAMAHA RACING TEAM

Katsuyuki Nakasuga

"It was great for us as riders, and for the team too, to test in conditions similar to the race. The team worked a lot on pit work. At these tests it's always hard to decide on tires, but this time we were lucky because the track temperature went up to 63 degrees on the first day, which is normally what it gets to in the actual race, so we've been able to mostly make our decision. We could also decide on our EWC gear ratios and the bike's base setup, so we can have the bike ready to ride when Jack and Loca get here for the test on July 3rd and 4th.
Our lap times were in the '07s, and when it was cooler, in the '06s. Over the past two days, our rivals have been setting fast times no matter the track temperature, so it feels like they're a bit ahead of us, but our average times are similar. Also, right now we're riding without taking risks, so all that's left to do is for the three of us to ride together and work on our average pace. For me though, this is my first 8 Hours in six years, so I had to adjust my body to it, and I really felt that gap over the two days here."

Team Manager Wataru Yoshikawa

"The conditions were similar to what the race will be, we were able to re-work our setup. We also worked a bit on the fueling strategy, making progress towards our setup for the race. Jack and Loca are only able to do one test before the race, so we don't have time to adjust the bike to their exact requirements, but I think at this test we were able to put together a solid base that everyone can be happy with, and that was all thanks to the hard work Nakasuga and Minamimoto put in here at the test.
At the same time, we also saw firsthand how strong our rivals are. The level of the top teams here at the 8 Hours has improved compared to six years ago. Up against that, it makes me feel like we need to make zero mistakes, and to fight with our full strength. That goes for the riders, but also the bikes, teams, and with our pit work.
We'll have a private test on July 3rd and 4th, and because each rider is coming from a different category of racing, first I want to have them ride the R1 we've been working on with Nakasuga, so they can get used to the track and the bike. Then we'll focus on raising the average level of all three riders as a team."

#7 Yamalube YART Yamaha EWC Official Team

Marvin Fritz

"It was hot here, the same temperatures as we had in last year's race. Maybe at this test we tried too many things, but our pace was good and all three of us ended up with almost the same lap time, so it's great that we're consistent. We didn't push for a time attack. Instead we focused on finding the best bike setup and race pace first.
The last few weeks have been busy. I came to Japan right after Spa, and now I head straight back to Germany, where I'll be commentating on the MotoGP race this weekend, then I have some coaching in Magny-Cours. I'll take time to do some training and also to relax, which is very important.
Of course, we come to the Suzuka 8 Hours to win and to stand on the podium, but even more important is to finish in front of our EWC rivals and to increase the points gap to be in a good position for the final round!"

Karel Hanika

"It was good that we could test the bike in conditions similar to last year's race. Over the two days here, we worked with the engineers to improve the bike. In tests like this you can try some different directions, but this time we tried a lot of items and I think we found a good direction. I think our fastest lap times didn't reflect the work we did here. Our average lap times were good. Still, we have some things to work on to be ready for the race.
Right now, the only thing on my mind is the race in 6 weeks. Even though it's only an 8 hour race, I think it's probably the toughest race in the world. That's because there are a lot of fast riders, the pace is very high, and Suzuka is one of the toughest circuits.
I imagine that in the race we'll have a fierce battle for the top positions. Fast riders from different racing categories will be there, but I think we can fight at the front. I hope everyone will keep an eye on the #7 bike in the race!"

Jason O'Halloran

"It was my first time to ride for YART bike at Suzuka, so I needed to get used to the bike and the track. All three of us had the same comments about what we wanted to improve on the bike, and that was great.
One issue we have is grip. Normally the R1 is good at cornering, but right now we're struggling a bit with grip. We'll compare last year's data with this year's to improve our setup.
Getting ready for the race, I'll train like I normally do, but right now my foot is injured so I'm not in perfect shape. This six week gap will be a good chance to recover and I'm sure I'll be back here in better shape for the race."

Team Manager Mandy Kainz

"It was a very hot test. I can't remember the last time we had such a hot test here. Sometimes we struggle a bit in hot conditions, but because it was so close to race conditions, we were able to test a lot of things. Our race pace was good, but over a single lap we're not quite there. I'm confident we can improve for the race weekend.
We worked a lot on finding a direction to get better grip on corner entry, which is an issue we've had since yesterday, but we haven't solved it yet. So that's something we'll focus on leading up to the race.
We have six weeks until we're back here for the main event, and we'll be busy until then. If I have one wish it's that the race will be full wet and cold! That's a joke, but for us, we're racers and we want to win no matter what the conditions are. In this year's 8 Hours, we'll focus on making a perfect race and of course on catching as many points as possible!"