(How long is the) Suzuka 8-Hr Thread

http://www.superbikeplanet.com/2006/Jul/tb/060729x.htm

There is the grid.

They are about 2hrs through, and the Haga/Edwards Yamaha has retired.

Live timing is here:

http://8h.suzuki.co.jp/clive/clive.php

Anyone watching this?

I have difficulties connecting with that site.

Maybe is temporal.

if you go here and scroll down and click on the 100kbps button you can watch it online http://8tai.yahoo.co.jp/

opps double post

live timming doesnt work . but the video does

any other europe regulars racing ??

Well I did see that Tamada was racing.

I haven't seen results yet. But this is fascinating to me being a sportscar racing fan. It would be interesting to see the pitstops I must say.

I have never been to Japan but the interesting thing for me is that when the GP was on at Suzuka, the 8 hour always got a bigger crowd than the GP!
And the manufacturers seem to place far more emphasis on the race than on otehr things.
Look at Edwards a few years back, he only got the best bits for the bike after they had proven at the 8H, he could have lost the championship!
And Mr Hansen, uif the AMA hadnt destroyed Daytona as we have talked about previsouly, you would still be able to see pitstops in a race.
Apparently the biggest problem at Suzuka is the heat and humidity, the riders struggle like hell to cope. And the bikes are usually fitted with quick fit wheels, pads, axles and brakes. Anotehr thing you might see in photos is the riders havbing drinks bottls strapped to their leathers!
Oh and the bikes usually have really cool one off paint jobs and leathers that llok amazing!!

And they have funny team names.

I mean, seriously, like something out of an 80s video game. "Seven Stars" "Burning Blood" "Diablo 666" "Toystory", fantastic!

And what about the thread title? Also quite creative. ;)

:p

"When it's light, the fans wave flags but as night falls, they all wave their mobile phones - it's a fantastic sight!"

Things to do before I die: get over to Japan and see this race.

Kiyonari and Tamada brought their bike in for fifth place.

Seventh hour:
"23 year-old Riyuichi Kiyonari on the No.7 SevenStars Honda is now the rider to watch - has just posted the fastest lap of the race, down into the 2:09's. The Japanese commentators say that, since he's been racing in the UK, he's now used to the weight of the Superbikes and is more confident of using that weight to barge past other riders...he's no taking any prisoners as he charges up the field. "
http://www.racecorporation.co.uk/Suzuka_2006.htm