With the day’s best lap time of 2’07.629, Katsuyuki Nakasuga has shot the Monster Energy Yamaha YART to the top of the qualifiers for the Suzuka Eight-Hours.

At last year’s edition, during the Top 10 Trial Superpole session that reshuffles the ten top places on the grid, this same rider pulled off a breath-taking lap in 2’06.845. After the day’s two qualifiers, Monster Energy Yamaha YART is therefore a whisker ahead of the Yoshimura Suzuki Racing Team (Takuya Tsuda in 2’07.688), the FCC TSR Honda (2’07.857 with Jonathan Rea) and the Honda of Musashi RT Harc-Pro, with a best lap by Michael Van Der Mark in 2’07.879.  Michelin is therefore currently ahead of the Japanese on Bridgestone on their own turf.

Team Kagayama held on to the fifth place with an improved time of 2’08.438 by Noriyuki Haga, while Kevin Schwantz gained two seconds, clocking up 2’10.907. The Yamaha France GMT 94 Michelin Yamalube held on to its sixth place of this morning signed David Checa (2’09.039) ahead of BMW Motorrad France Team

Thevent, despite a better time by Erwan Nigon (2’09.066), and the Suzuki Endurance Racing Team (Vincent Philippe in 2’09.114).

The Honda of Toho Racing with Moriwaki and the Honda Team Asia make up the Top 10 who will be fighting it out on the track in the Top10 Trial Superpole tomorrow from 15.30 hours local time (GMT+9).

Two riders from each crew will be riding one flying lap. The best times will determine the first ten places on the starting grid for the race.

Among the permanent teams to have travelled to Japan, the Kawasaki of Bolliger Team Switzerland is best placed in 19th ahead of the Suzuki of R2CL, 21st. Honda TT Legends is currently in 29th position, Team Flembbo-Leader Team in 37th and the Motobox Kremer by Shell Advance in 56th out of a total of 63 crews in the race.

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