2026 Suzuka 8 Hours Endurance Race Report | Team Matsunaga KDC x GEARS Conquers EWC, Secures Seed for 2027 Suzuka 8 Hours Endurance Race

Team Matsunaga KDC and GEARS Racing, in their first collaboration, partnered with Taiwanese suspension brand GEARS Racing to compete in the 2026 FIM Endurance World Championship Suzuka 8 Hours Endurance Road Race. Using a Yamaha YZF-R1, they completed 174 laps. They finished 21st in the EWC class and 29th overall, officially securing a seeded position for the 2027 Suzuka 8 Hours Endurance Road Race.

2026 Suzuka 8 Hours Endurance Race Information and Final Results

・Race Venue: Suzuka Circuit (Japan)
・Event Date: July 5, 2026
・Team Name: Team Matsunaga KDC x GEARS Auto Parts and Accessories
・Number Plate: #111

Driver Lineup and Qualifying Best Laps

Rankings and Final Standings

■ Qualifying Results

■ Final Results

Qualifying Round Overview | #111 Team Matsunaga KDC x GEARS Starts 44th

Team Matsunaga KDC and GEARS are teaming up for the first time this year with Taiwanese suspension brand GEARS Racing to compete in the EWC Suzuka 8 Hours Endurance Race with the Yamaha YZF-R1, number 111. This marks GEARS Racing's debut as a sponsor and technical supporter in the Suzuka 8 Hours Endurance Race, with a rider lineup of HANE Takumi, SAKAI Takatsugu, and ARAKAWA Masahiko.

On qualifying day, the drivers successively pushed the machine's performance to its limits. Each driver completed two rounds. ARAKAWA Masahiko of the Red team recorded a best lap time of 2 minutes 14.208 seconds, followed by SAKAI Takatsugu of the Yellow team, who reduced his time to 2 minutes 13.050 seconds. Subsequently, HANE Takumi of the Blue team took the lead, marking a best lap time of 2 minutes 10.627 seconds.

Honda HRC (#30) secured pole position with a time of 2 minutes 04.738 seconds. The Top 10 Trial, originally scheduled for Saturday (July 4), was canceled due to rain at the circuit. The starting grid will use Friday's qualifying results. Team Matsunaga KDC x GEARS, with the lineup of HANE Takumi, SAKAI Takatsugu, and ARAKAWA Masahiko, will start from the 44th grid position.

Race Overview | Completed 174 Laps, 21st in EWC Group, 29th Overall

The main race started at 11:30 AM (Japan time, 10:30 AM Taiwan time) on July 5. As it was held earlier than usual this year, the weather was extremely unstable. During the race, rain intensified and weakened repeatedly, forcing each team to constantly reconsider their pit stop strategies based on wet and dry track conditions.

Starting from the 44th grid position, Team Matsunaga KDC x GEARS remained unfazed by the repeated weather changes and safety car deployments, maintaining a steady relay among its three riders. With the support of the logistics team, the entire team completed the grueling 8-hour race without a single mistake. Towards the end of the race, they bravely attempted overtakes to improve their position, demonstrating unwavering fighting spirit.

As the rain intensified towards the end of the race, the main race was red-flagged and concluded at 7:31 PM. Team Matsunaga KDC x GEARS completed a total of 174 laps, finishing 21st in the EWC class and 29th overall, closing a chapter in their partnership with GEARS Racing at the Suzuka 8 Hours Endurance Road Race.

GEARS Racing Technical Support | FFT-250 Front Fork and H2P Rear Suspension Specifications

Gears Racing's technical team was stationed in the pit area throughout the event, providing real-time technical support to the race car. This marks the first time a Taiwanese suspension brand has participated in a large-scale World Endurance Championship like the Suzuka 8 Hours Endurance Road Race.

2026 Suzuka 8 Hours Endurance Championship Podium Results

Although there is still room for improvement in the final standings, Team Matsunaga KDC x GEARS completed the race despite the severe weather and grueling endurance conditions. It is also noteworthy that suspension technology developed in Taiwan was put into practical use for the first time at the Suzuka 8 Hours Endurance Race. This experience will be invaluable as the team and GEARS Racing continue to challenge the World Endurance Championship.

Team Matsunaga KDC x GEARS Officially Secures Seed for 2027 Suzuka 8 Hours

On July 14, 2026, the Suzuka Circuit Office released "Information No. 2," announcing the seeded positions for the 2027 Suzuka 8 Hours Endurance Road Race (48th edition). Team Matsunaga KDC x GEARS was selected as one of the 15 seeded teams in the Formula EWC class, officially securing a seeded position for next year's race. Based on their performance of 21st in the EWC class and 29th overall, they have directly qualified for the next Suzuka 8 Hours Endurance Road Race.

Announcement regarding seeded positions for the 48th Suzuka 8 Hours Endurance Road Race, scheduled for 2027, "Information No. 2" (July 14, 2026)

Acknowledgements from GEARS Racing | Cooperation for First Challenge in Suzuka 8 Hours World Endurance Race

Team Representative | MATSUNAGA Osamu

Thank you for your unwavering support and leadership. It is thanks to your support that we have come this far.

We would like to thank our Japanese partner, ASADA Akihiro, for his efforts in coordinating between Taiwan and Japan. Thanks to him, this cross-border technical cooperation proceeded smoothly.

Team Manager KATAOKA Ryota and HEISEI Racing Team express their gratitude for the precise tactics of the manager and HEISEI Racing, which helped maintain control during the most intense phases of the race.

The riders, led by HANE Takumi, along with SAKAI Takatsugu and ARAKAWA Masahiko, completed the grueling 174 laps.