EWC 2019-2020

SUZUKA 8 HOURS WORLD ENDURANCE MOVED TO NOVEMBER


Team Suzuki Press Office – April 27.

The historic Suzuka 8 Hour World Endurance race in Japan has been moved to November 1st in another ongoing EWC date change to the 2019-2020 EWC schedule due to the ongoing Coronavirus COVID-19 pandemic.

The 43rd edition of the race, scheduled to be the third round in July, will now form the final race of the five-round series following Japan’s declaration of a nationwide state of emergency.

The FIM-International Motorcycling Federation, FIM EWC promoter Eurosport Events and Mobilityland, the organiser of the Suzuka 8 Hours, have today decided to postpone the race, initially scheduled to be held on July 19th because of border entry restrictions currently in effect in Japan making it impossible for Suzuka to host teams and riders from countries affected by Coronavirus.

Historically held in Summer, since the first edition in 1978, the Suzuka 8 Hours will take place for the very first time in Autumn. In close collaboration with race organiser Mobilityland, the iconic Japanese race was promoted to the status of FIM EWC grand finale in 2017.

As the FIM EWC season final event, the 8-hour race will benefit from the bonus of 150% of the points.

The FIM, Eurosport Events and the various race organisers have together restructured the ongoing season calendar to ensure the number of races initially scheduled in the championship take place.

The 2019-2020 season will therefore continue with the 24 Heures Motos (August 29-30th followed by the Bol d’Or (September 19-20th), concluding at Suzuka on November 1st.

François Ribeiro, Head of Eurosport Events:

“The global health crisis, the logistical constraints resulting from Japan’s entry restrictions and our priority to protect the health of everyone involved in the FIM EWC, have made it necessary to postpone the Suzuka 8 Hours. Praise is due to Mobilityland for adapting the Suzuka calendar to ensure that this major race in the championship remains Japan’s biggest celebration for motorcycling fans. To help teams with their logistics requirements in the opening phase of the 2020-2021 FIM EWC season, we will push back the date of the 8 Hours of Sepang to January if necessary, just ahead of the customary SBK/ GP pre- tests on the circuit.”

Kaoru Tanaka, President of Mobilityland Corporation:

“We had been preparing for the ‘Coca-Cola’ Suzuka 8 Hours Endurance Road Race to be held in July, but have decided to postpone it in consideration of the current situation in which there is prohibition of large-scale events that attract large numbers of people and restriction of travel is expected to continue to increase in European countries. We ask for the kind understanding of all the fans who were looking forward to attending the Suzuka 8 Hours for this unavoidable postponement and of all the other stakeholders involved in this race event. We will make preparations so that we can welcome the start of the event on November 1st together with all the fans and stakeholders involved in this event.”

Jorge Viegas, FIM President:

“Who would have ever imagined that the 8 Hours of Suzuka would have to be postponed just a few weeks ago? However, we must keep strong and do whatever is in our power to return to racing, as soon as possible, without taking any unnecessary risks. I am sure that the faithful spectators of Suzuka will enjoy a great show again and that this iconic race will retain its special place in the FIM Endurance World Championship. I would like to take this opportunity to thank all the efforts of the Japanese Motorcycling Federation (MFJ), Mobilityland Corporation and of course Eurosport Events!”

#SuzukiStaySafe #WeWillReunite #RidersAtHome #StayAtHome


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