Suzuki Confirms Commitment to ICE After Suzuka 8 Hours Top 10

Suzuki played a background role in the battle for the podium at the Suzuka 8 Hours, until the final hour when its #12 GSX-R1000 reeled in and passed the Team Kagayama Ducati for third place.

Arguably, though, the most important Suzuki in Suzuka was not the one that finished on the podium, but that which finished eighth.

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The #0 entry in Suzuka was the CN Challenge bike from Suzuki. It was a modified GSX-R1000 which, visually, was almost completely unchanged from the bike that the Yoshimura SERT team put on the podium, bar the paint and some tiny front wings. However, it was a full factory entry from Suzuki, headed by Shinichi Sahara, the former project leader of its MotoGP effort that was axed by Hamamatsu management in 2022.

Technically, the bike stood out for its use of recycled materials in construction, including recycled carbon fibre for the bodywork, and mostly for its use of non-fossil fuels, which meant it was entered in the Endurance World Championship’s Experimental Class.

Specifically, the #0 Suzuki ran on 40 per cent bio-sourced sustainable fuel from Elf, and used Motul engine oil which used a bio-sourced base oil.

Finishing four laps down on the full-factory Team HRC Fireblade that won the race, Suzuki believes the performance of its experimental ‘Gixxer’ is a validation of its continued commitment to internal combustion for its performance bikes.

In this regard, Tsuyoshi Tanaka, Suzuki’s executive general manager of motorcycle operations, said: “I believe this initiative has a very significant meaning to realise carbon neutrality, especially for mid to large displacement motorcycles, for which we believe combustion engines will still be needed.

“I can say with confidence that endurance racing, which simultaneously demands running performance and endurance, is the optimal place for testing and development of not only fuel but also various sustainable items, and it is an activity that would revitalise the future of the motorcycle industry. We will not make it a one-time initiative but make firm efforts so that we can continue the initiative by aiming for higher goals in the years to come.”