Team Suzuki field full squad for Phillip Island 8 Hour
Suzuki are bringing their 'A Team' to the Island this weekend, in the form of regular riders Josh Waters, Troy Herfoss (pictured) and Robbie Budgen, who will share a Team Suzuki GSX-R1000 in the Superbike class. Last year, Waters teamed with Shawn Giles to finish third in the six-hour at Phillip Island. If everything goes to plan, the Team Suzuki squad expect to bang out approximately 280 laps over this year's eight hours - a real test of men and machine - and finish ahead of the rest of the field!
The Team Suzuki Superbike squad go into this year's 8 Hour as red hot favourites, but the variables inevitably thrown up by endurance racing mean that success is by no means guaranteed, so the A Team will have to bring their A Game to Phillip Island. Pit stops will be critical, with one botched effort potentially spelling disaster for a team - just as well-drilled performances can make a huge difference. Fuel strategies and tyre management are also key issues that Suzuki - and all other teams - will have to grapple with.
The Suzuki Superbike trio will be ably assisted by the Team Suzuki Supersport squad, comprising incumbent Brodie Waters - who was just pipped to this year's Aussie title by Yamaha veteran Kevin Curtain - and lightning fast duo Ben Attard and Mitchell Carr on the Suzuki GSX-R 600.
Also Suzuki mounted, the Team JP & K1 Racing outfit from Japan will add international flavour to this year's event. The GSX-R1000-riding Japanese quartet comprises Mikiya Kimuri, Yuji Okabayashi, Osamu Arai and Kei Tanaka. Five other local teams will also be flying the flag for Suzuki at the Island this weekend.
The Phillip Island 8 Hour is a three day event, running from Friday, December 2 to Sunday, December 4. Support races, practise and qualifying take place on the Friday and Saturday, with the 8 Hour itself scheduled to start at 9:30AM on Sunday.
General admission prices will be $45 for a three-day pass, or $25 for entry on Sunday only.
For more information on the event, visit www.phillipisland8hour.com.au or tel (03) 5952 2710.
