2024 FIM EWC Round 3 — Suzuka 8 Hours | First Test, Day 2 Report (June 20)
The two-day Suzuka 8 Hours test is complete. On day two the team improved its lap time, recording a best of 2:09.771, and also progressed long runs and used-tyre checks — closing the test on a good feeling.
Team Étoile has completed the pre-event test for Round 3 of the 2024 FIM Endurance World Championship (EWC), the Suzuka 8 Hours. The team brought Yudai Kamei, Hikari Okubo and Roberto Rolfo for the two-day test, sharing the machine between them.
In this ‘first Suzuka Circuit-organised test session,’ the team worked on the setup of the BMW M1000RR prepared in Japan and on the characteristics of the Dunlop tyres supplied for the Suzuka 8 Hours.
Both days followed similar content, but on day two the team managed to improve its lap times, getting through slightly longer runs while also checking used tyres.
Unlike day one, the day-two schedule was two sessions — 80 minutes in the morning and 90 minutes in the afternoon. The best time was a 2:11.861 on day one, but on day two the team recorded a 2:09.771.
The next scheduled running is about a month away — the test right before the even hotter Suzuka 8 Hours race week.
Rider comments
Rider
Yudai Kamei
“Following on from yesterday, rather than a single time attack, I worked on the chassis setup so I can lay down a good average time for the race. The setup advanced greatly from the morning, and I could put in average times about on par with the SST class title-favourite teams.”
“We also did long-run-type tests and could check how the tyres wear, so I think it was a meaningful test. Okubo set good times too, and Rolfo is picking up pace every time he runs, so I’m not too worried about race week either. If we keep going like this, I think good results will follow. It was a good day.”
Rider
Hikari Okubo
“We changed a few things on the bike setup from yesterday. The feeling with that setup was very good, and from my second flying lap I got into the 2:09s and set the team’s best time, which felt great. There was a front chattering problem, and when I tried a different tyre compound the chattering went away but a negative came out elsewhere.”
“That’s partly a tyre characteristic, and since the time was there I did a 13-lap run. Kamei and I could also test used tyres, and the average times weren’t bad, so I think we can head into race week in good shape.”
Rider
Roberto Rolfo
“It was a better session than day one. In the morning we shared the bike over a few laps, but by the end of the session the feeling started to come good. Then in the afternoon I could run more, and my lap times improved steadily. I ran on track alone, but finding my line went well — I think that’s very important for the rhythm of the race. The bike is working very well, so I have to improve step by step and ride faster.”
“There are still three points on the Suzuka course I need to improve a little. The low-speed corners are important. But as I’ve got used to it and understood how to ride this bike fast, it’s got much better. The slow points can definitely be done better. I’m not pushing that hard yet, but I’m lapping without risk. I think I can find about another second.”
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