Johann Zarco with Team Honda HRC with Japan Post will not be the only MotoGP rider at the start of the 2024 Suzuka 8 Hours. There will be 2 on the starting grid of the 45th edition of the “race of races”, always among the ranks of the house of the golden wing. Current IDEMITSU Honda Team Asia bearer in the Moto2 World Championship, achieving his first points finishes as a rookie in the last two seasonal outings between Barcelona and Mugello, Mario Aji will race on July 21st astride the CBR 1000 RR-R #73 of the highly decorated SDG Team HARC-PRO Honda.
MARIO AJI AT SUZUKA DEBUT
An agreement reached several weeks ago. So much so that the 20-year-old Indonesian driver has already had the opportunity to try the Fireblade in 8-hour configuration in “Manufacturer/Tyre Test” of last June 4-5. For the occasion, Mario Aji was the protagonist of a real race against time, getting on the first flight to Suzuka after taking part in the Italian GP on 2 June. Finished in fifteenth place with his Kalex Moto2.
THE SDG TEAM HARC-PRO CREW
The former Moto3 World Champion will join Yuki Kunii (also an old acquaintance of the Moto3 world championship now competing with the same colors in the All Japan and ARRC) and Naomichi Uramoto, preparing to make his debut at the Land of the Rising Sun marathon. The contribution of “Super Mario” Aji will therefore be fundamental in bringing Team SDG HARC-PRO Honda to an excellent result. Three-time winner of the legendary Suzuka 8 Hours as well as runner-up in the 2023 edition.
HONDA LINEUPS FOR SUZUKA
Waiting for him “Official Test” scheduled in the next few days (19-20 June), through a press release Honda Racing Corporation has announced the teams that will represent the home of Tokyo at the 2024 Suzuka 8 Hours. Said of Honda HRC #30 (Takumi Takahashi, Teppei Nagoe, Johann Zarco) and SDG Team HARC-PRO #73, the list includes several regulars from the All Japan universe. From Astemo Dream SI #17 (Kohta Nozane, Taiga Hada plus a third driver yet to be revealed), to Team ATJ #40 (Satoru Iwata, Kouki Suzuki, Yuta Okaya) and DREAM RT Sakurai #71 (Kazuki Ito, Daijiro Hiura) . Passing through Asia-Dream #88 (Zaqhwan Zaidi, Andi Farid Izdihar, Nakarin Atiratphuvapat). Without forgetting TOHO Racing #104 (Kazuki Watanabe, Ikuhiro Enokido and 4-time winner Ryuichi Kiyonari). Only 2 teams from the FIM EWC Endurance World Championship: Tati Team #4 (fresh from the podium at the 8h Spa Motos with Hugo Clere, Randy Krummencher, Corentin Perolari) and FCC TSR #5 (Josh Hook, Mike Di Meglio, Alan Techer).
