2026 FIM EWC Round 3 — Suzuka 8 Hours | Test Report (May 12–13)
Two clear days, all six sessions completed. In the final FP6, Kaito Toba and Hikari Okubo both broke into the 2:06s to top the SST class and close out the test on a high.
The two-day official test for the 2026 "Coca-Cola" Suzuka 8 Hours Endurance Road Race (FIM EWC Round 3) was held on May 12th and 13th and concluded with the full programme completed. Both days brought clear weather, and the team was able to work through all six planned sessions without interruption, producing strong results in both outright pace and race-simulation average lap times.
In the final session, FP6, Kaito Toba recorded a 2:06.649 and Hikari Okubo a 2:06.762 — both riders breaking into the 2:06s to close out the two days at the top of the SST class. It was a result that reflected the work the team has been putting in, and a clear sign that preparations are taking shape. Beyond the headline times, all three riders — including Motoharu Ito — fulfilled their individual roles and built a solid bank of data with the full eight-hour race in mind.
This test also marked the introduction of a new Dunlop control tyre specification, adding an additional variable to work through, but the team completed the programme without any major issues or incidents, and came away with a clear and encouraging direction on the bike setup.
That said, the race itself takes place from July 3rd to 5th — roughly a month and a half from now — and conditions will be significantly different from what the team experienced during this test. The data and experience gathered here will serve as the foundation for continued preparation, with tyre selection and heat management among the areas still to be refined heading into race week. The team is also progressing preparations in parallel for the 8 Hours of Spa, FIM EWC Round 2, making this a particularly busy and productive stretch with two major events on the horizon.
Rider & team principal comments
Rider
Hikari Okubo
"The two-day official test has wrapped up and it went really well. The atmosphere in the team was great, and we found a setup direction that I'm genuinely happy with. Kaito put in some fantastic lap times and updated the lap record, and Motoharu kept a really solid average throughout. I was also able to set a personal best and get into the 2:06s myself, which is a relief. I honestly can't wait for the Suzuka 8 Hours now. We've also got Spa coming up next, and we're going to be pushing hard for a win at EWC Round 2. Thank you for your continued support."
Rider
Kaito Toba
"The Suzuka test is done. Two days of great weather and I think we had a good test overall. Both our average pace and our best times are at the top of the SST class, and Hikari and I have both gone into the 2:06s. There are still a few things I'd like to dial in further, but we'll get those sorted during race week. All in all it's been a positive test, and I'll be giving everything at both Spa and Suzuka. Thank you for your support."
Rider
Motoharu Ito
"Two days of testing done. As a team, we've got strong outright times and I think all three of us have been putting together solid averages too. That said, the race is still about a month and a half away, and conditions are going to be pretty different by then — that's going to be the most important thing to get right. We'll make sure to apply everything we've learned here and adapt as a team. Spa is also coming up before Suzuka, so please keep an eye on that one too. Thank you."
Team Principal
Takashi Ichikawa
"Day two of the Suzuka test has come to a close. Having two riders break into the 2:06s is a genuinely significant result for the SST class, and it's a clear sign that the work we've been doing is coming together. No major issues or incidents either, which is equally important. At the same time, the race takes place in early July and both temperatures and track conditions will change. Tyre selection included, there's still work to be done. From here, we head to Spa, and then straight into the build-up for Suzuka. We'll keep working through each item on the list and make sure we're ready to take maximum points. Thank you for your support."
Photo gallery
