2014 YOSHIMURA LEGEND TEAM
RACE INFORMATION
【Suzuka 8 Hours】
Birth of the
Yoshimura LEGEND TEAM !
Legend of Yoshimura Suzuki Shell Advance Racing Team
Schedule
| July 24 (Thu) | Special Sports Running |
|---|---|
| July 25 (Fri) | Official Practice / Official qualifier |
| July 26 (Sat) | Teams for Finals Free Practice/Top 10 Trial (Official Qualifying) |
| July 27 (Sun) | Suzuka 8 Hours Endurance Race Final (11:30 start/19:30 finish) |
Race History
-
FIM EWC
Rd.4
Bol d’Or 24H
/Qualifying
2nd
/Final
1st -
FIM EWC
Rd.3
Suzuka 8H
/Qualifying
5th
/Final
11th -
FIM EWC
Rd.2
SPA 24H
/Qualifying
3rd
/Final
4th -
FIM EWC
Rd.1
Le Mans 24H
/Qualifying
1st
/Final
7th -
FIM EWC
Rd.4
Bol d’Or 24H
/Qualifying
3rd
/Final
Retire -
FIM EWC
Rd.3
Suzuka 8H
/Qualifying
22nd
/Final
3rd -
FIM EWC
Rd.2
SPA 24H
/Qualifying
3rd
/Final
4th -
FIM EWC
Rd.1
Le Mans 24H
/Qualifying
2nd
/Final
1st -
FIM EWC
Rd.4
Most 6H
/Qualifying
3rd
/Final
3rd -
FIM EWC
Rd.3
Bol d’Or 24H
/Qualifying
1st
/Final
1st -
FIM EWC
Rd.2
Estoril 12H
/Qualifying
3rd
/Final
17th -
FIM EWC
Rd.1
Le Mans 24H
/Qualifying
2nd
/Final
1st -
All Japan Road Race
Rd.1
/Qualifying
(1):1st
(2):1st
/Final
(1):3rd
(2):2nd
-
Team Director
Fujio Yoshimura
Team Director
Fujio Yoshimura
"Comment on the announcement of participation"
We are glad to announce Suzuka 8H this year is going to be one of the most memorable event ever for Yoshimura Japan! It is our 60th Anniversary year since Pop Yoshimura started this business back in 1954 and we are having a [Legend Team] to celebrate our racing history.
This [Legend Team] will run with two very famous riders, one is 1993 WGP Champion Kevin Schwantz and other is 1985-1986 All Japan Formula-1 Class Champion Satoshi Tsujimoto. They made a pair in 1986 Suzuka 8H, and this team finished 3rd over all.
The team will challenge not only for podium finish but also challenge entertainment side of motorsport as well. In 80’s, world of motor sport was booming like bursting flowers, and Yoshimura has met upcoming young riders and shared many race victories as well.
Even the riders like Schwantz or Tsujimoto, to challenge Suzuka 8H will be extremely tough as high temp humid air, which drains your energies to where you could get into serious dehydration problem. But both of them are willing to challenge to prove there is something that worth challenging!! Therefore, I have to put together the team to support their challenging [Sprit] the best possible manner.
Yoshimura believes that such an effort will make our anniversary worthwhile project, just like Suzuka 8H in 80’s! We can assure you that this effort makes all the spectators to feel team’s sincerity, severity, and bit of nostalgic excitement!
"Comments on the announcement of the third rider"
I’ve had many concerns to make the best choice to appoint 3rd rider of #12 “Legend of Yoshimura Suzuki Shell ADVANCE” for upcoming Suzuka 8 Hour Race.
The main concern was physical condition of both Schwantz and Tsujimoto in the grueling heat during Suzuka 8H race. They are still fit and motivated, but completing 8 hours is really tough beyond everyone’s thoughts.
Also even they have brilliant racing histories and experiences, it is no so easy to advance to Top-10 Trial.
So, my last bid was to pick Nobuatsu Aoki for the 3rd rider.
He has been racing with Team Yoshimura at Suzuka 8H in the last 6 years and there has been nothing to complain on his performance or reliability in the team.
He knows our GSX-R, Bridgestone tires and Suzuka Circuit very well, and both Schwantz and Tsujimoto have great respect towards him for his capability to have a result and in developing winning machine!
It is great honor to have riders like Schwantz, Tsujimoto & Aoki for the Yoshimura’s 60th Anniversary race, and it is going to be one of the most memorable event for us.
Yoshimura Japan Co., LTD.
President
Team Manager
Fujio Yoshimura -
Rider
Kevin Schwantz
Rider
Kevin Schwantz
Competing in the 2013 Suzuka 8 Hour with Team Kagayama reminded me of what racing with a great team is all about. I am really looking forward to celebrating Yoshimura’s 60th anniversary of being in business by competing in the 2014 Suzuka 8 Hours on a Pops Yoshimura Suzuki.
Pops was a very influential man in my career, I first met him mid-way through the 1985 season riding for Yoshimura. Riding for Pops taught me a lot and helped groom me to be the competitor that I am. He was a real motivator and got the best out of everyone that worked around him.
In 1994, I presented Pops with my winning Suzuka Grand Prix trophy, the fourth Japanese win of my career, in the Suzuki garage. That photo is still is one of my favorites of all time. Before his passing, he told me I was his only rider to ever win a 500cc Championship, or as it is known today Moto GP, and since his passing his words still hold true.
To be partnered with my teammate from 1986 Satoshi Tsujimoto is a real honor. Thank you to Suzuka circuit and everybody at Yoshimura Japan for the opportunity.Name Kevin Schwantz Birthplace USA Birthday 1964.06.18 Height 179cm Weight 70kg Race History
- Suzuka 8H / Team Yoshimura
- Suzuka 8H 3rd place / Team KAGAYAMA
- 500cc Grand Prix World Champion 25 Grand Prix wins, 21 lap records, 29 pole positions
- Suzuka 8H 2nd place / Yoshimura / Pair rider: Doug Polen
- Suzuka 8H 3rd place / Yoshimura / Pair rider: Satoshi Tsujimoto
- Suzuka 8H 3rd place / Yoshimura / Pair rider: Graeme Crosby
-
Rider
Satoshi Tsujimoto
Rider
Satoshi Tsujimoto
It is the 60th anniversary year for Yoshimura since its start, and I am so excited to announce that I will race at Suzuka 8H as a member of the Legend Team.
My pair rider is Kevin Schwantz who has joined Yoshimura factory at the same time as me back in 1984!
It has been already 30 years since then, and I am honor to race together in the Yoshimura family.
I am already 54 years old, but I still have same Yoshimura’s challenging spirit from the past and I will work hard to bring myself in the best condition to enjoy the race.
It is going to be a really tough race physically, but we will show our performance at the race.Name Satoshi Tsujimoto Birthplace Osaka, Japan Birthday 1960.02.18 Height 180cm Weight 68kg Race History
- Suzuka 8H / Team Yoshimura
- Suzuka 8H 2nd place
- Suzuka 8H 2nd place
- Suzuka 8H 3rd place / Yoshimura / Pair rider: Kevin Schwanz
- All Japan TT F-1 Champion / Team Yoshimura
- All Japan TT F-1 Champion / Team Yoshimura
-
Rider
Nobuatsu Aoki
Rider
Nobuatsu Aoki
Both Kevin Schwantz and Satoshi Tsujimoto have been my hero since I was a teenager, and the team manager Fujio Yoshimura has been a big name in racing.
I am proud to be one of the riders of “Legend Team” to celebrate the 60th Anniversary of Yoshimura company.
My duty is leading the team to the victory with my experiences, and I will do my best.
It is 7th time that I race Suzuka 8H in Yoshimura team, and I am honor that I am the rider with largest number to race in the team history!Name Nobuatsu Aoki Birthplace Gunma, Japan Birthday 1971.08.30 Height 178cm Weight 67kg Race History
- Suzuka 8H / Team Yoshimura
- Suzuka 8H 2nd place / Team Yoshimura
- Suzuka 8H DNF / Team Yoshimura
- Suzuka 8H 2nd place / Team Yoshimura
- Suzuka 8H 6th place / Team Yoshimura
- Suzuka 8H 1st place / Team Yoshimura
- MotoGPスポット参戦
- MotoGPスポット参戦
- Suzuka 8H 3rd place / Team Yoshimura
- 2005 Make contract with Suzuki as MotoGP test rider, Wild-card at MotoGP
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