ROAD NEWS

Yamaha in celebration mode after 70 years of producing motorcycles. Resplendent in that livery are Andrea Locatelli( Loka) and Australian( but, technically, virtually a Kiwi) Jack Miller. Both riders did a test in June but are enjoying getting familiar with the circuit and getting into the endurance racing groove ahead of the Suzuka 8 Hours. For Miller, it is a contrasting race from his now familiar MotoGP home but he adapted well in the two days of testing. Meanwhile, he is back in the MotoGP world until the event. Loka is heading back to WSBK where his machinery is pretty similar but racing for eight hours is a unique challenge and the 43rd running of the event will be no different. Miller was happy with the feel and pace, hinting that there is some speed left if required. The two teammates did sessions on their own as well as some together, helping build knowledge and share advice in preparation of the event. Veteran racer Katsuyuki Nakasuga was also on hand to watch and add to the team think-tank. By the end of the test, both Loka and Miller had exceeded the team’ s targets with Loka, in typically understated form, saying the lap times were‘ not too bad – they were consistent and no mistakes.’ Always a great and iconic event, it is fantastic to see riders from different championships race each other for bragging rights in a race that Kiwi legend Graeme Crosby famously won back in the day. By the way, happy 70th birthday Croz!

88 KIWI RIDER