Dreams and Grit: Superstock Stars Prepare for Suzuka Showdown

Six Dunlop-equipped Superstock teams are locked in for the 46th Coca-Cola Suzuka 8 Hours, taking place August 1–3, with endurance racing dreams and World Cup points on the line. They’ll face intense competition as they battle in one of the world’s toughest and most prestigious endurance races.Press: EWCAmong the returning contenders are National Motos Honda FMA, Team Étoile, and Wójcik Racing Team, all veterans of last year’s historic edition – the first time Suzuka counted towards the FIM Endurance World Cup. They’ll be joined by three new challengers: Dafy-RAC 41-Honda, Honda No Limits, and Revo-M2, each making their Suzuka Superstock debut.

For Dafy-RAC 41-Honda, the goal is redemption after a mechanical DNF at Spa. The French squad finished on the podium at Le Mans earlier in the season, and team boss Julien Diguet says Suzuka is a long-held dream for the team. “It’s like the 24 Hours of motorcycling. One of the most beautiful races in the world,” he said.With riders Takeshi Ishizuka, Chris Leesch, and Kevin Manfredi, Dafy brings a crew of 12 to Japan, aiming to bounce back and make their mark. Also making a debut is Honda No Limits, featuring Akito Haga – son of Suzuka legend Noriyuki Haga – alongside Gabriele Giannini and Japanese rider Kaito Toba, who said he’s enjoyed “the depth of endurance racing” since joining the squad at Le Mans. The team currently sits sixth in the World Cup standings.Revo-M2, the all-Italian Aprilia team, brings Kevin Calia, Flavio Ferroni, and Simone Saltarelli to the mix. While not in title contention, team boss Michele Bonaldo says they’re embracing the opportunity: “The prestige of this race is everything. Our goal is to finish and collect valuable data for the future.”

Title leaders National Motos Honda FMA return to Suzuka aiming to build on their fifth-place debut in 2024. Their rider trio of Johan Nigon, Guillaume Raymond, and Valentin Suchet will look to extend their championship lead aboard their Dunlop-shod CBR.Team Étoile is also one to watch. The Japanese BMW-powered squad finished second in Superstock at Suzuka last year and is hungry for victory with Motoharu Ito, Hikari Okubo, and Kazuki Watanabe on the tools.

Poland’s Wójcik Racing Team brings youthful talent with Mateusz Molik and Milan Pawelec, joined by former Moto2 and double MotoE champ Jordi Torres, who made his team debut at Spa. It will be the teenagers’ first crack at the storied Suzuka circuit. The race forms the next chapter in the FIM Endurance World Cup, with updates on all Dunlop Superstock teams available at FIMEWC.com in the lead-up to race week.Superstock Team Entry List – 2025 Suzuka 8 Hours: