Honda World Superbike star Jonathan Rea says the Suzuka Eight-Hours is the toughest road race you can do as the heat and humidity in Japan are phyically wearing but it is hard on the mind too.

The Isle of Man resident took third place in 2011 and has been bumped up to the works FCC TSR team for this weekend, partnering former MotoGP rider Tady Okada and Honda test rider Kosuke Akiyoshi.

"I am really excited about the Eight-Hour. It splits up my season nicely in SBK, but it is the most passionate race I have ever participated in. The Japanese fans are crazy there. I just feel they appreciate motorbike riders and it is an honour to go there and put on a show. Not only for the fans, but to represent Honda in Japan," said Rea.

"It is a big honour for me and to get asked to partner Akiyoshi who has already been quite strong in testing, and I hope we have the chance to ride for a race win; I have already been once on the podium, in third. So we aim to win, but it is never easy because there are a lot of fast local riders, but also a lot of international riders coming as well.

"It is the toughest race you will ever do. Physically it is tough, but mentally it is really tough. The range in lap times between the fastest guys and the slowest is a lot, and it has caught me out twice now with slower riders making mistakes. You have to be very careful when you come up against slower guys. It is a team race, and after one hour you cannot believe you can survive another three stints, but the atmosphere in the team, the passion of everybody, you kind of dig in and get it done. You go into autopilot mode."