Since its first holding in 1978 until this day, the Suzuka 8 Hours has been the scene a lot of dramatic racing that has brought great excitement to the fans and enabled the event to win tremendous support, both in Japan and abroad. Suzuka Circuit, the stage of this endurance race, is known all over the world as the host circuit for the F1 World Championship, Grand Prix of Japan. However, it must be remembered that motorcycles have always been welcome on the track: only two months after its inauguration in September 1962, the first motorcycle competition was held there. And in November 1963, the circuit was already hosting an FIM Road Racing World Championship race. The Grand Prix of Japan was then held at Suzuka for three years in succession. It resumed again in 1987 and continued to be held until 2003, after which the Grand Prix of Japan moved its stage to Twin Ring Motegi. The Suzuka Circuit still hosts various motorcycle road race competitions, such as national championship events and amateur races. Riding on this legendary track is a dream for many competitors.
Every year, when spring passes and the temperature rises, not only motorcycle racing fans, but also motorcycle fans and riders start to get agitated. It's a signal. With the exception of being canceled in 2020 and 2021 due to the spread of the new coronavirus, it has been held continuously since its first event in 1978, and has always been supported by many fans as the most major road race in Japan. "Suzuka 8 Hours" continues to be held.
The economic crisis of 1973, the so-called oil shock, remained in the aftermath for several years after that, causing a decline in the racing population that had been booming since the 1960s. Many of the domestic motorcycle races at that time had few entries, and several classes were mixed.
In the latter half of the 1970s, the racing world finally began to recover from the effects of the oil crisis, and the Suzuka Circuit staff and people involved in the race said, "European champion teams will participate in the famous Le Mans and Bol d'Or 24 Hours races. If we could hold an international-class endurance race, wouldn't it be a new festival for Japanese riders?” Such thoughts began to grow, and the “planning for a new race” began. This project is the "International Suzuka 8 Hours Endurance Motorcycle Race", which started in 1978, and is now known as the "Suzuka 8 Hours".
The length of the new race was eight hours as a result of considerations for noise to the surrounding area and strain on officials. In addition, the goal time is set after sunset, taking into consideration the dramatic goal and the production of fireworks. After making a comprehensive judgment on securing transportation for the fans to return home and safety related to the race, a format that continues to this day was established, with the start at 11:30 a.m. and the checkered flag at 7:30 p.m. .
The Suzuka 8 Hours featured a variety of highlights that were almost non-existent in the sprint-centered domestic motorcycle races up to that point. A unique Le Mans-style start that runs to the machine, rider changes during the race, pit work such as tire changes and refueling. The audience was enraptured by these dramas and cheered them on. When dusk approached and the light-on signboards were put out, the headlights and taillights of the circling machines created a beautiful contrast in the evening sky, making the spectators even more excited.
In 1980, the European Championship endurance series was promoted to the World Championship. The popularity of the Suzuka 8 Hours in Japan was conveyed to the world by officials who visited Japan in 1978 and 1979, and the Suzuka 8 Hours was held as the "World Championship Series Suzuka 8 Hours Endurance Motorcycle Race" from 1980. After that, it developed further and became the largest motorcycle race in Japan.
In addition, the PR effect of the Suzuka 8 Hours event also attracted attention, and in 1984 Coca-Cola started sponsoring the event, which continues to this day. Each team now has a sponsor. Campaign girls and celebrities also appeared as moving billboards, making the Suzuka 8 Hours even more spectacular and established as a midsummer festival, the Suzuka 8 Hours. Even now, it continues as a big event that is indispensable in summer.
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