Yamaha is back, baby. After a five-year absence from the Suzuka 8 Hours, the bLU cRU is rolling into Japan’s most grueling endurance race like they never left. And they’re doing it in style.
To celebrate 70 years of speed, Yamaha’s factory squad is bringing out the big guns—a race-prepped YZF-R1 dressed in a livery that’ll make old-school fans misty-eyed.
Yamaha Returns to Suzuka 8 Hours, And I’m Excited
The red-and-white scheme harks back to the legendary YZF-R7 of 1999, a fitting tribute considering team manager Wataru Yoshikawa piloted one at Suzuka that same year. Even the logo and team gear scream late-‘90s nostalgia.
Leading the charge? Katsuyuki Nakasuga, a four-time Suzuka 8 Hours winner and Yamaha’s last conquering hero in 2018. He’ll be joined by MotoGP and World Superbike talent, forming a trio built for endurance glory. And that number 21 on the fairing? A nod to Yamaha’s 1985 TECH 21 sponsorship—because heritage runs deep.
Come August 2025, expect Yamaha to fight tooth and nail for Suzuka supremacy. If history’s any guide, the boys in blue won’t just be there to make up the numbers. They’re gunning for the top step—just like old times.
Source: RideApart
