2025 FIM EWC Round 3 — Suzuka 8 Hours | Second Test Report (July 30)
The official test wrapped up in race-like temperatures. The three riders’ directions and average times all aligned, and with the fastest pace in class the team grasped a real sense of a win. The target: pole position.
The official test for Round 3 of the 2025 FIM Endurance World Championship (EWC), the Suzuka 8 Hours, concluded on July 30th. This year Team Étoile fields its regular riders — Hikari Okubo, Kazuki Watanabe and Motoharu Ito — aiming for pole position and victory.
With the bike’s setup having advanced greatly at the June test, this time the team refined the finer details. As in June, both air and track temperatures rose to match the race, and the team recorded the fastest average time in class, gaining a real feel for a win.
The east section had new tarmac, making it a test with many crashes, but Team Étoile ran without trouble.
There were again around ten red-flag stoppages, so long runs and fuel-consumption calculations with the new fuel were carried over to race week. Without yet doing a single qualifying-style time attack, the best time of 2:09.925 stands 3rd in the SST class (28th overall), but the team showed class-leading pace on consistent average times, underlining its strength for the final.
After the July 31st scrutineering day, race week finally arrives on August 1st–3rd.
Rider & team principal comments
Rider
Hikari Okubo
“My plan was to run for only a short time in the sessions, but I was able to do solid work to contribute to the team. I got through the tasks I’d set myself, and it was a really good test. Even with worn tyres I got into the 2:09s, and my average pace was good too, so it was a very positive test.”
“The track temperature was about the same as last year’s race day, and the June test was a similar temperature. From the final-corner exit the east course has been resurfaced and riders were crashing one after another, so I’ll take care and give my all in race week.”
Rider
Kazuki Watanabe
“The setup hasn’t changed much from the previous test, but this time we made fine adjustments that fitted well and gave a good flow to the running. There were so many red flags that we couldn’t measure fuel consumption during the stoppages and couldn’t run cleanly. The average pace was good, and looking across the team the directions each rider is talking about are quite similar, so it was a good day.”
“In race week we’ll further sharpen the accuracy of the fuel-consumption measurement that remains a task, and the target is to take pole through to victory and score full points. Taking these five points will be hugely important toward the final round, so finishing the race trouble-free and delivering a result is the goal.”
Rider
Motoharu Ito
“I could ride with the same feeling as the June test, so I really feel the previous test was a very good one. This time the team created an environment for me to focus on my own riding, so I could concentrate and it was a fulfilling day.”
“I still haven’t set a single fast time, so that’s something to improve, but we’ll try the average-pace work on Friday — if I can ride with today’s feeling, I think it’ll be fine. There were many red flags again today and I don’t know how race week will flow, but I want to prepare so I can adapt flexibly.”
Team Principal
Takashi Ichikawa
“Today’s main goals were the fuel-consumption measurement with race fuel and the setup refinement we couldn’t do at the previous official test, and we obtained very good data — the test progressed smoothly. The many red flags prevented long-distance running, but in tough conditions with track temperatures over 60°C we steadily worked through our planned test items. We should reach Thursday with almost no test items remaining.”
“In Friday’s free practice, obtaining precise fuel-consumption data is the remaining task. In the SST class points are also awarded in qualifying, so we aim for up to 5 points in qualifying and 30 in the race — 35 in total. To arrive at the Paul Ricard finale in the best shape, we’ll take on the race weekend with thorough preparation.”
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