WORLD ENDURANCE - SUZUKA 8-HOUR
25 July 2004 - Yamaha Racing

Yamaha GMT94 extended their lead in the Endurance World Championship today, finishing as the top ‘permanent’ team in the Suzuka 8-Hour race.

The team of David Checa, William Costes and Sebastien Gimbert finished eighth overall and third in the superbike class, but with the top seven squads competing only at Suzuka, Yamaha GMT94 has extended its lead over the SERT Suzuki team with two races remaining.

The race was closely fought away from the podium positions, and GMT94 had to fight hard for their eventual position. The French team''s world endurance expertise showed through in the latter stages of the race as they worked their way through the field with each pit stop.

The team’s third generation YZF-R1 had no problems during the race and all the three of the Yamaha mounted world championship teams who traveled to Suzuka finished in the points. Yamaha Austria was 13th overall and fourth in the superbike class, while Yamaha Phase One Endurance finished 19th - fifth in the points scoring superbike class.

The Suzuka 8-Hour is one of the toughest endurance races in the world championship calendar. It is regarded as one of the most important races in Japan and consequently a large and competitive field of local riders on top quality machines, combined with hot weather, test the regular riders and machinery to the limit.

The Seven Stars Honda team took the overall victory with Yoshimura Suzuki second and Weider Honda third.

The next round of the series is the Oschersleben 24 Hours on the weekend of 14-15 August. With extra points available for the championship’s only 24-hour event, a favourable result for the GMT94 team could see the championship decided in their favour at the race Yamaha has won for the past two seasons.

Christophe Guyot (Team Manager Yamaha GMT94) - eighth
“We are very happy with our eighth position in the race, and third in the superbike class. It’s very good for the championship for us. We are a little disappointed not to be able to play against the top teams, but if we are in front of SERT, we are happy.”

David Checa (Yamaha GMT94) - eighth
“I think the team and riders understood the race very well. We are so happy to finish in eighth place, and third in the superbike class is very good for the championship. We have done our best, we are so happy, and I hope we can come back next year and win.”

Dean Ellison (Yamaha Phase One Endurance) - 19th
“Well, I’ve enjoyed it; I want to come back. The race has been tougher than I expected; I thought it would be similar to China but the actual circuit is so much more physical and the Japanese riders are so fast it makes it really hard. It’s challenge that I’d like to do every twelve months, just to keep me on my toes.”

Russell Benney (Team Manager Yamaha Phase One Endurance) - 19th
“Something to smile about at last. We are pleased to get a nice steady result; fifth place in the superbike class and 13th overall – I’m very happy. Moving up in the championship standings is a bonus – back in Europe we’ve got a job to do, and this will lift the spirits of the team and be a springboard for Oschersleben.”

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