The 47th "Coca-Cola" Suzuka 8 Hours Endurance Road Race, the third round of the 2026 FIM World Endurance Championship (EWC), will be held at Suzuka Circuit in Mie Prefecture from July 3rd to 5th. The Suzuka 8 Hours, long cherished as a "summer festival," will have its dates moved up by about a month this year, leading to a race week different from previous years.
Move-in will take place on June 28th and 29th, with test runs on June 30th and July 1st. Official sessions will kick off on Friday, July 3rd, following the technical inspection day on July 2nd. Friday will feature two qualifying sessions, and Saturday will host the Suzuka-exclusive "Top 10 Trial," where the top 10 qualifiers will battle for pole position in individual time attacks. The 8-hour final race will start on Sunday.
The Suzuka 8 Hours is an endurance race where each team's 2-3 riders take turns completing the 8-hour race. The grid positions are determined by the combined qualifying times of the top two riders from each team, meaning not only the riders' speed but also the timing of rider changes and the accuracy of pit work are crucial for victory. During the final race, teams will pit approximately 7-9 times for refueling, tire changes, and rider swaps, making strategy a significant factor.
Furthermore, the Suzuka 8 Hours features three classes: EWC, SST, and EXP, each with different vehicle regulations. In addition to the overall championship battle among the top teams, the competition within each class is also a major point of interest.
During the daytime on the move-in days, the weather around Suzuka was cloudy on the first day with temperatures between 20-24°C, and sunny on the second day with temperatures rising to around 23-28°C. Compared to the usual intense heat, the climate is relatively comfortable. However, rain is expected at times throughout the week, indicating that the weather may be changeable. The shift in the event dates means that track conditions will also differ from previous years, likely causing tire manufacturers and teams to deliberate carefully over tire choices and machine setups.
On the first day, teams began arriving at the paddock one after another from the morning. As transporters unloaded machines and equipment, setup work intensified in each pit. Tools and spare parts were laid out, and mechanics and staff busily prepared for the test runs on Tuesday. Riders arriving from overseas also joined their teams, and the paddock began to fill with the atmosphere of race week. Some teams started their move-in on the second day.
Although machines do not run on the track on move-in day, teams diligently proceeded with preparations within the limited time, including machine assembly, position checks, and meetings. A unique tension permeated the quiet paddock as the 2026 Suzuka 8 Hours officially commenced. Here are some photos from the move-in day.
2026 Suzuka 8 Hours Move-in Day
TONE Team4413 BMW / 2026 Suzuka 8 Hours Move-in Day 1
SANMEI Team TARO PLUSONE with SDG completed move-in by noon on the first day / 2026 Suzuka 8 Hours Move-in Day 1
Yoshimura SERT Motul / 2026 Suzuka 8 Hours Move-in Day 1
Yoshimura SERT Motul / 2026 Suzuka 8 Hours Move-in Day 1
SHINSYUREN with TOTEC / 2026 Suzuka 8 Hours Move-in Day 1
YAMAHA FACTORY RACING TEAM / 2026 Suzuka 8 Hours Move-in Day 1
Team Bolliger Switzerland #8 / 2026 Suzuka 8 Hours Move-in Day 1
3ART Best Of Bike Hamaguchi / 2026 Suzuka 8 Hours Move-in Day 1
Astemo Pro Honda SI Racing, Dafy-Kaedear-RAC41-Honda / 2026 Suzuka 8 Hours Move-in Day 1
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