Schwantz announces Suzuka 8-Hour comeback

Former World Motorcycle Champion Kevin Schwantz has shocked the motorcycle world by announcing he will be contesting the 2013 Coca-Cola Suzuka 8-Hour, where he will campaign a Suzuki GSX-R1000 in a three-man 'dream team' with Yukio Kagayama and Noriyuki Haga.

Schwantz has never tasted victory at the Suzuka 8-Hour while Kagayama and Haga have both stood on top of the rostrum – Kagayama with Kousuke Akiyoshi aboard a Suzuki in 2007 and Haga with Colin Edwards aboard a Yamaha in 1996.

It was Kagayama who formed the team for the tilt at this year’s Suzuka 8-Hour, and who asked Schwantz and Haga to join him. After overcoming significant contractual issue, Schwantz finally agreed.

Forty-eight-year-old Schwantz retired from the 500cc World Motorcycle Championship in 1995 just two years after clinching his world title aboard the #34 ‘Lucky Strike’ Suzuki. He says he’s eager to get to grips with the 8-Hour, which marks the second round of the World Endurance Championship.

“I’m looking forward to racing the Suzuka 8-Hour in July with Noriyuki Haga and Yukio Kagayama on a Suzuki GSX-R1000,” said Schwantz.

“Suzuka holds a special place in my heart because it’s where I won my first 500cc Grand Prix in 1988. The last time I raced the 8-Hour was in 1992 with Doug Chandler; we didn’t finish due to mechanical issues. With only two riders it used to be a really, really physical race; now with three riders it’s still going to be tough but not quite as much.

“Eight hours on a 1000cc bike is going to be very physically demanding and I will need to increase my training to possibly do two to three hours on the bike.

“I've never won the 8-Hour but with teammates as strong as Yukio and Nori, along with our Dunlop tyres, I think we stand a good chance,” he said.