Event: Suzuka 8 Hours 2018
Photographer: Jeffrey Johnston
Camera: Nikon D700 DSLR
Lens: Nikon 28-70mm & 80-200mm f/2.8
Flash: Nikon SB-800 Speedlite
Editing: Lightroom 5 & Photoshop CS6
Select images from the 42nd running of the Suzuka 8 Hours produced one of the most dramatic and intense battles ever which went right down to the wire. Nearly one third of the grid were campaigning the Honda CBR1000RR Fireblade, but all eyes were on the officially-supported teams of, amongst others, Red Bull Honda, reigning World Champions F.C.C. TSR Honda France, MuSASHi RT HARC-PRO and KYB Moriwaki Racing and Honda Endurance Racing.
The teams duel continued through the last round of pitstops, and just in case there wasn’t enough drama the rain that had been forecast finally arrived in the final 30minutes and the teams waited nervously to see whether a final stop for wet tires was required. Takahashi, who was at the end of a grueling double-stint, dug deep in a remarkable display of grit and determination to finish third.
But the double-twist was still to come, as the leading #10 machine crashed on the final lap on a patch of oil, just as the rain worsened, causing a red flag. After an initial provisional result put Red Bull Honda second and F.C.C. TSR Honda France third, an investigation into the incident resulted in a reinstatement by the FIM of #10, leaving Red Bull Honda in their on-track position of third.