During qualifying for the Suzuka 8 Hour, Yamaha rider Jack Miller crashed at the high-speed first turn when his YZF-R1 slid away underneath him. Both Miller and his bike skidded through gravel before the motorcycle hit the wall. Despite the severity, Miller confirmed he was unharmed after the crash. He described the experience as challenging, mentioning the front suspension felt soft and difficult to control while pushing hard.
“It has been a good day so far and thankfully I am okay. Turn 1 is a fast spot and the wall is quite close so I’m glad I didn’t [hit the wall],”
Miller said following the incident.
The Suzuka 8 Hour Race and Its Competitive Landscape
The Suzuka 8 Hour is a prestigious event within the FIM Endurance World Championship, marking its 46th iteration this year. Miller’s appearance at this race is his first since 2018. The event draws top riders and factory teams, including the factory Honda squad, which recorded the fastest qualifying time. Honda’s team, featuring MotoGP rider Johann Zarco and Takumi Takahashi, set an impressive best average lap time of 2:05.187 seconds.
Close behind was the AutoRace Ube Racing Team, with Loriz Baz and Naomichi Uramoto posting a 2:05.346 seconds average lap alongside teammate Davey Todd. Miller’s Yamaha team, consisting of himself, Andrea Locatelli, and Katsuyuki Nakasuga, secured the third fastest average time at 2:05.539 seconds.
Challenges Faced by Miller and Locatelli During Qualifying
Locatelli shared the difficulties the team encountered during qualifying, particularly the limited opportunities for clear laps amid heavy traffic on track. It was also Locatelli’s first time competing at Suzuka alongside other riders, making adaptation tougher. Miller’s crash just before Locatelli’s second session forced Locatelli to switch to a spare bike that felt slightly different, adding to the challenge.
“With so many bikes on the track, it was hard to get a clear lap,”
Locatelli explained.
Despite these setbacks, Locatelli acknowledged the positive results the team achieved, emphasizing their competitiveness and ambition.
“We are going against some strong teams, but if we can maintain our pace, we can reach the podium and even the win.”
Preparations and Prospects for the Top 10 Shootout and Race Day
The final starting grid will be decided in the Top 10 Shootout, scheduled ahead of Sunday’s race, which begins at 12:30pm AEST with live coverage on Fox Sports and Kayo Sports. Locatelli expressed a quiet confidence in the team’s potential to perform well regardless of who participates in the shootout.
“For tomorrow’s Top 10 Trial, of course I want to ride in it, but that’s not something I can decide on my own,”
he joked.
“What we know is that whoever does ride it, we’ll be able to get a great result.”
Significance of Miller’s Recovery and Team Outlook
Jack Miller’s quick recovery following his crash and the Yamaha team’s strong qualifying times highlight their determination and resilience within a fiercely competitive field. With many strong teams battling for victory, maintaining consistent pace and adapting to track conditions will be crucial. These factors suggest that Miller and his teammates have promising prospects for a podium finish or possibly the win at the Suzuka 8 Hour endurance race.
