Kawasaki Motors Japan announced that Kawasaki Racing Team Suzuka 8H, a factory team of Kawasaki Heavy Industries, will participate in the 43rd running of the 2021 FIM World Endurance Championship "Coca-Cola" Suzuka 8-Hour Endurance Road Race, to be held from November 5 (Fri.) to 7 (Sun.), 2021.
The team won its second championship in 26 years after a fierce battle in the previous tournament in 2019. In this year's event, the team will be fighting for back-to-back victories, a first for Kawasaki. Riders include Jonathan Rea, who made a significant contribution to the victory as the ace rider in the previous round and has won the Superbike World Championship for an unprecedented sixth consecutive time; Alex Lowes, who is competing in WSBK as Jonathan Rea's teammate from the 2020 season and has also won the Suzuka 8 Hours; and Alex Lowes, who has won the Suzuka 8 Hours as Jonathan Rea's teammate in WSBK since the 2020 season, and Luca Maias, who is also competing in WSBK.
The machine is the new Ninja ZX-10RR, which was introduced in 2021, in Suzuka 8 Endurance style.
Kawasaki Racing Team Suzuka 8H
Machine
Ninja ZX-10RR (Suzuka 8 Endurance)
Rider
Jonathan Rea
Date of birth: February 2, 1987
Birthplace: England
Affiliation: Kawasaki Racing Team WorldSBK
Major achievements.
"Champion of the Superbike World Championship" for six consecutive years since 2015.
Comment:
I'm very excited to join the Kawasaki Racing Team for the 2021 Suzuka 8 Hours and to be part of the team again. I've finished on the podium four times in the past at the Suzuka 8 Hours, but winning the race with the Kawasaki Racing Team in 2019 is my favorite memory. Unfortunately, the 2020 Suzuka 8 Hours has been canceled due to the new coronavirus. However, it looks like I will be able to return to Suzuka this year. I promise to do my best for Kawasaki and all the fans. Thank you for your support.
Alex Lowes
Date of birth: September 14, 1990
Birthplace: England
Affiliation: Kawasaki Racing Team WorldSBK
Major achievements.
2020 Superbike World Championship 6th
2019 Superbike World Championship 3rd
2018 Superbike World Championship 6th
2017 Superbike World Championship 5th
Comment:
I am very happy to be able to participate in the Suzuka 8 Hours in 2021 as a member of the Kawasaki Racing Team. I have won the Suzuka 8 Hours three times in the past. It's a great event and circuit, and it's my favorite. The new Ninja ZX-10RR, introduced this year, will also help Kawasaki to win. I'm really looking forward to participating in this famous race again. We have a great team and a great bike. Please give your support to the Kawasaki Racing Team.
Lucas Mahias
Date of birth: April 14, 1989
Birthplace: France
Affiliation: Kawasaki Puccetti Racing
Major achievements.
2020 Supersport World Championship 2nd place
2019 Supersport World Championship 4th place
2018 Supersport World Championship 2nd place
2017 Supersport World Championship, 1st place
Comment:
I am very happy to be participating in the Suzuka 8 Hours in 2021 as a member of the Kawasaki Racing Team. Racing in Japan always feels special to me, and as a rider, I am happy to be able to ride in the world-famous Suzuka 8 Hours, and I am very happy to be back in Suzuka after overcoming the spread of the new coronavirus in 2020. In order to win the Suzuka 8 Hours, I pledge to all Kawasaki fans that I will come to the race in the best shape possible as a member of the team and give it my all.
Director
Guim Roda
Click here for a video comment from each rider
Original Source [ Kawasaki Motors Japan ]
