#8 Hours of Suzuka 2024

[42bakery]

Arenas is also racing in the 8 Hours of Suzuka?

[coimbrabertone]

The Golden Age of Japanese Talent in Western Motorsports

So, the heavy rumor at this point in F1 is that Sergio Perez's position at Red Bull has become untenable. An expensive release clause and a lack of a clear alternative has protected Perez for awhile now, but a truly dismal end to the 2024 season has meant Red Bull is willing to pay the price to get rid of him.

Not unlike McLaren with Daniel Ricciardo in 2022.

So, who is getting the nod to Red Bull?

Liam Lawson, it seems. This has pissed off a lot of fans, who feel that Yuki Tsunoda has performed well enough and has spent enough time at Alpha Tauri/VCARB to earn a chance at Red Bull.

Red Bull feels otherwise, and it seems to be because Yuki Tsunoda is at RB as a favor to engine supplier Honda, and Red Bull does not see Tsunoda continuing with them once they switch to Ford.

This got me thinking about Japanese drivers in motorsports, western motorsports in particular. I know that sounds just a bit orientalist and I apologize for that, but a variety of cultural, linguistic, and geographic factors have created a lot of barriers for Japanese drivers to come over here.

Japanese talent instead seems to focus on domestic competitions: Super Formula, Super GT, the Suzuka 8 Hour, etc, etc.

Meanwhile, Japanese talent in the west is most often associated with a Japanese manufacturer. This is what I want to talk about today.

An early prominent example of this is Satoru Nakajima, who Honda tried to put in a Williams in 1986. Frank Williams refused, reasoning that Nelson Piquet and Nigel Mansell was a much stronger lineup. Thus, Honda went to their other customer team in Lotus, and Nakajima was put into the car in 1987, partnering Ayrton Senna.

Ayrton won two races and finished third in the standings.

Satoru...did not. His best result was a fourth place.

Nevertheless, Satoru continued with Lotus in 1988, now alongside Nelson Piquet. Now, nobody was touching McLaren that year and Lotus slipped to fourth in the constructors' championship, but Nakajima was actually closer to Piquet than he was to Senna. Granted, he only scored one point, but in terms of pace and performance, he was a lot closer.

Satoru Nakajima - nor Aguri Suzuki, who also appeared in F1 around this time - didn't accomplish much, but they did pave the way for the 1990s, which would turn out to be a golden age for Japanese drivers in western motorsports.

On the Formula One side of things, we had Nakajima, Suzuki, Naoki Hattori, Ukyo Katayama, Toshio Suzuki (no relation), Hideki Noda, Taki Inoue, Shinji Nakano, and Toranosuke Takagi all made appearances.

A number of these guys, most prominently Shinji Nakano and Tora Takagi, would also make appearances in CART, where Honda and Toyota were engine suppliers.

The racing series where Japanese talent shined brightest, however, was Grand Prix Motorcycle Racing, now known as MotoGP. Here, Honda, Yamaha, and Suzuki made sure that Japanese manufacturers were well represented, and the 1997 season is probably the best example of that.

Australian Mick Doohan was dominant, yes, but behind him...the Japanese were all over the series. Teammate Tadayuki Okada won the Indonesian Grand Prix and finished second in the championship, whilst Takuma Aoki on a Repsol Honda entered NSR500V - a cheaper V2 variant of the V4 NSR500, meant for customer teams - finished fifth with three podiums.

Takuma's brother, Nobuatsu Aoki was third on another V4 Honda, taking four podiums and managing to just barely finish ahead of Repsol's Alex Crivillé, who was hampered by a midseason injury.

It wasn't limited to just Honda either, as Yamaha had the famous Norifumi Abe, who won three races himself - the 1996 Japanese GP at Suzuki, the 1999 Rio de Janeiro GP at Jacarepaguá, and then the 2000 Japanese GP, also at Suzuka - but was more known for wild and aggressive performances.

Norifumi was so famous at this point that a young Valentino Rossi used Rossifumi as his first nickname.

Before there was the Doctor, there was Rossifumi.

So yeah, in 1997, there were four Japanese riders in the top ten of the championship, and while none of them could quite match Mick Doohan, neither could anyone else back then.

So, what happened to all this?

That's the difficult question really. My first thought was that maybe it was the switch from 500cc bikes to the 990cc bikes of the MotoGP era. Perhaps the increased cost and professionalization of the grid reduced the number of Japanese riders.

The problem is that it doesn't quite hold true. Daijiro Kato in 2002 was shaping up to be the best Japanese prospect perhaps ever, before his career was cut short by a tragic death at the 2003 Japanese Grand Prix.

Did that death kill the Japanese stomach for motorcycle racing? I mean, maybe, but it sure didn't in the moment.

Abe was still around, as were Tohru Ukawa and Noriyuki Haga, while Shinya Nakano spent the mid-2000s dragging his Kawasaki into contention whenever he could, and Makoto Tamada won at Rio and Motegi in 2004 on the Camel Honda, giving us the first multi-win season for a Japanese rider.

It more just seemed to fade out over the course of the 2000s.

By the 2010s, Japanese participation in MotoGP was reduced to one satellite Honda rider and then maybe a wildcard ride or two from the Yamaha or Suzuki test teams at Motegi.

By the 2020s, that rider was Taka Nakagami, but for 2025, that seems to be changing.

The Idemitsu LCR Honda - the Honda reserved for Asian talent - will go to Thai rider Somkiat Chantra. Surprisingly though, this does not mean the end to a Japanese rider on the grid, as Ai Ogura has been signed by Trackhouse to ride an Aprilia.

A Japanese rider on an American team running an Italian bike.

This is a big deal, because it marks the first time in twenty years that a Japanese rider was picked entirely on merit, having denied a chance to go to LCR Honda to stay in Moto2 and prove himself.

And prove himself he did, because Ai Ogura won three races and the Moto2 championship in 2024. These wins were at Catalunya, Assen, and Misano too, so these are classic European venues.

He's not just a Suzuka/Motegi specialist, he might just be the real deal.

P.S:

So yeah, I've been reading up on 90s and 2000s two-stroke era Grand Prix Motorcycle Racing and I noticed how prominent and successful Japanese riders were, so I wanted to write about it. I wasn't sure where exactly I'd go with the blogpost from there, but I actually like how this one went, let me know what you think!

P.P.S:

Oh, and Offtopic Offseason...I liked writing that blogpost a lot and I think I'll do some more of those. I was thinking about alternating weekly between an Offtopic Offseason post and a regular motorsports post, but I think I'm just gonna leave it open to whichever I decide to do on a given Monday. This week I had something motorsport-y to talk about, next week I might, or I might not, we'll see.

I'm going to label and number all of the Offtopic Offseason posts, so you'll know exactly what it is once you see it post. I hope that's alright with all you guys.

[boanerges20]

Suzuki GSX-R1000 "CN Challenge" [Carbon Neutrality Challenge] Suzuka 8 Hours Endurance Race | 2024

[racequeenparadise]

2024 Race Queen Retirements - Rie Kimura

Rie began working as an event companion during university and in 2014 began her career as a Race Queen in the Tracy Sports team in the Super Taikyu. In 2016 she joined the Netz Toyota Tama T's Factory Lady team in Super Formula motor racing class and began her career as a full time Race Queen. 2017 saw Rie join WedsSport Racing Girls and in 2018 the Dunlop Direzza Girls.

In 2019 she began a long term association with Team Tom's in the Super GT and Super Formula classes, first as a Vantelin Race Queen and then in 2021 as a Tom's Lady and later as a Tom's Team Attendant for Super GT. After leaving Tom's in 2022, in 2023 she began her final two years as a Race Queen in the Arta Gals team. When appointed to the team in 2023, she was 32, the oldest team member ever appointed in Arta Gals.

Race Queen Appearances

Tracy Sports Race Queen, Super Taikyu, 2014

Yamaha Thailand Racing Race Queen, All Japan Road Race Championship, 2014

Netz Toyota Tama T's Factory Lady, Super Formula, 2016

WedsSport Racing Girls, Super GT, 2017

Team Kagayama Suzuki Asia Race Queen, FIM Asia Road Racing Championship, 2017

Dunlop Direzza Girls, Super GT, 2018

Vantelin Race Queen, Super GT and Super Formula, 2019 to 2022

Team TJC& MF Kawasaki Army Girl, Suzuka 8 Hours Endurance Road Race, 2019

Tom’s Lady, Super GT, 2021

Tom's Team Attendant, Super GT, 2022

Arta Gals, Super GT, 2023 to 2024

Image Girl and Event Appearances

InterBee, Intel Booth, 2014

Ceatec Japan, JEITA Booth, 2014

Tokyo Motor Show, Omron Booth, 2015

Tokyo Auto Salon, Kanatechs Booth, 2015

Japan Drugstore Show, Asahi Food & Healthcare Booth, 2015

Ceatec Japan, Omron Booth, 2015 and 2016

Wonder Festival, Monthly Heroes Booth, 2015

Japan Drugstore Show, Ajinomoto Amino Vital Booth, 2016

Tokyo Motor Show, Fine Sinter Booth, 2017

Tokyo Auto Salon, Nitto Booth, 2017

Tokyo Auto Salon, WedsSport Racing Girls, 2018

Tokyo Auto Salon, Dunlop Direzza Girls, 2019

Automotive Technology Expo, Emerging Industry Booth, 2019

Ceatec Japan, Everlight Booth, 2019

Nagoya Auto Trend, Tom’s Lady, 2020

Tokyo Auto Salon, Tom’s Lady, 2020 and 2022

[avorbl]

Avor's Watchlist for weeks 48 + 49

We are in advent and the busy pre-christmas weeks dont leave much time for watching dramas. But looking at the list and the release calendars others are posting, there should be some time during holidays to catch up on the things I want to finish this year.

Currently Airing

Love Sick 2024 13/15 Lovesick has established itself as a solid weekly watch where I can just spend an hour of enjoyable television.

Fourever You 10/16 I should really check out the cut version of this because all the episodes have felt to long for the amount of plot they were conveying

Usotoki Rhetoric 8/10 The genre mix of episodic detective drama and fantasy apprenticeship really works. The theme of contrasting objective lies with harmful lies works well. Hopefully we get to know more about the detective’s background in the last episodes Suzuka Ouji’s acting is phenomenal but the character would remain a bit flat especially compared to the policeman.

Light of my Lion 7/11

See Your Love 8/13

Bad to Bed 6/10

Love in the Air Japan 6/10 The two part nature still feels a bit weird but the shorter runtime of each episode makes it more understandable along with the resulting highlight on the characters.

Our Youth / Miseinen 5/11 To see them so clearly needing each other but knowing that it wont last and the beautiful cinemaphotography really keep me enganged.

Fragrance you inherit 4/8 There is somthing explosive about this one. They are all so kind and thoughtful of each other but I cannot help to dread Kanae’ father.

Caged Again 5/10 Oh my sweet earbest children trying.

Your Sky 4/12 Oh my sweet earbest children trying.

The Heart Killers 3/12

Winter Is Not the Death of Summer but the Birth of Spring 10/21 So far this prison can proudly stand next to all the all boys school as the most BL setting ever created.

Seoul Blues: Spin-off 2/4 Seoul Blues needed a continuation but this is so different again that its probably better appreciated as a separate work. And then the second episode has us in full Battle of the Writers territory. It is really just them doing concepts is seems.

Spare Me Your Mercy 3/8 As long as we accept Tew being thoroughly charmed and fascinated by Kan from the first meeting this series works well enough

What I am catching up on

Unstoppable High Kick 29/167

The Princess Royal 27/40

Word of Honor 24/36

Playboyy 4/14

Still on my watch list

Fight for My Way 10/16

Tengu no Daidokoro Season 2 2/10

Polyethylene terephthalate 2: Even if it's just a dream that I'll forget when I wake up 5/8

Stealing from My CEO 16/61

Buddy Boy 5/?

Kiss x Kiss x Kiss: Love ii Shower 1/?

Secret Love 12/81

Finished in the last two weeks

Jack & Joker: U Steal My Heart! 25.11.24 6,5/10 Went out in a whimper. Too much of the resolution was put on a action packed finale which made the human and social endings feel rushed and like an afterthought .

The Nipple Talk 28.11.24 9/10 Queer community and three love stories. About choices we make to be happy. A celebration.

Latex 28.11.24 8,5/10 I am not sure how far I am supposed to interpret the central metaphor. But I am thankful that Matchbox still puts out these decidely queer stories.

Everyone Is a Stupid 30.11.24 8/10 Short film about the negative impact school has on (queer) youth an institution. In the form of two childhood friends finding back together and thereby finding confidence.

Blue Canvas of Youthful Days 01.12.24 9/10 This is probably the series I made the most notes for. Ultimately it fails at its success in getting released. For a series that so meticulously proceeds from one point to the next the happy ending time skip felt out of place and undermines the the cautionary message it means to convey.

Love is Like a Poison 03.12.24 8,5/10 Liked the colour story in the end. The actual ending felt too forced. Making it so personal strechted the believability too far.

Blue Complex 07.12.24 8/10 It builds up the relationship to the other two well. Their mental states are believable and well portrayed but it falls in the trap of the one saving moment. While tha might work for a mental block preventing you from swimming its ridiculous in the face of a suicidal depression the camaderie and saving moment have to be followed up by professional help to not ring hollow.

Let's Eat Together Aki and Haru: More Please! 07.12.24 10/10 The perfect slice of life about the importance of staying true to yourself . With strong colours. A wholesome story to pick you up.

[jirettaiga]

Kode Talkers performance at Suzuka 8 Hours Race 2024

[romanlightman001]

HONDA CBR600RR NEW MODEL FOR 2024 | SHOWED AT 44TH SUZUKA 8 HOURS ENDURA...

[42bakery]

Zarco is doing the 8 Hours of Suzuka?!

[racequeenparadise]

2024 Race Queen Retirements - Haruka Suzuno

Haruka started out her career in 2015 as an image girl working at various events in Osaka and was signed to the talent agency Craze. In 2016 she became a Race Queen for the Techno First team in the Super Taikyu series. In 2018 she became the Nankai Parts Image Girl which led her to work as Race Queen for the company at the Suzuka 8 Hour Race. In 2019 she appeared as a Race Queen for Suzuka 10 Hours Endurance for BH Auction.

Most of her time as a Race Queen was spent as part of the TWS Princess unit in various motor racing classes including Toyota Gazoo Racing in the 86/BRZ Cup from 2018, LMcorsa in the Super GT also in 2018 and OTG Motorsports in the F4 Japanese Championship in 2019. She continued in her TWS Princess role until her final year of acting as Race Queen in 2024.

Race Queen Appearances

Techno First, Super Taikyu, 2016 to 2017

Nankai Parts, Suzuka 8 Hour Race, 2018

Toyota Gazoo Racing, TWS Princess, 86/BRZ Cup, 2018 to 2024

LMcorsa, TWS Princess, Super GT, 2018 to 2024

BH Auction, Suzuka 10 Hours Endurance Race, 2019

OTG Motorsports, TWS Princess, F4 Japanese Championship, 2019 to 2024

Image Girl and Event Appearances

Kansai Exterior Fair, 2015

Kansai Design and Manufacturing Solutions Exhibition, 2015

Osaka Motor Show, Navi Mate Booth, 2015

Osaka Motor Show, Toyota Booth, 2016

Super GT Okayama International Circuit, Exedy Booth, 2016

Osaka Auto Messe, TWS Booth, 2017

Osaka RUNRUNRUN, as an Exedy Girl, 2017 and 2018

Osaka Motorcycle Show, Dunlop Booth, 2017

2018 Nankai Parts Image Girl "Nankai Mate"

Osaka Auto Messe, Nankai Booth, 2018

Osaka Auto Messe, Toyopet Booth, 2019 and 2023

Tokyo Auto Salon, TWS Booth, 2019 and 2020

Tokyo Auto Salon, BH Auction Booth, 2020

Fishing Show Osaka, The Hitman Lures Booth, 2020

Osaka Auto Messe, OTG Booth, 2024

[42bakery]

He got a podium?!

Arenas is also racing in the 8 Hours of Suzuka?