Jonathan Rea sets pace as Honda HRC top qualifying times for legendary Suzuka 8-Hours race in Japan

Six-time World Superbike champion Rea is joined in the three-man line-up by Japanese rider Takumi Takahashi and Honda World Superbike rider Somkiat Chantra.

LCR Honda MotoGP rider Johann Zarco was ruled out of Suzuka after crashing at the Catalunya Grand Prix, with Thailand’s Chantra drafted in by Honda as his replacement for the Endurance World Championship round.

Rea became the first British rider to win the famous race in the Far East in 2012 with the FCC TSR Honda team and claimed a second success in 2019 for Kawasaki alongside Leon Haslam and Toprak Razgatlioglu.

After calling time on his unprecedented World Superbike career at the end of last season, the Ballyclare man took on a new role as a development rider with Honda.

The 39-year-old’s qualifying lap of 2’04.422 gave Honda HRC an average of 2’04.738 to seal the top spot by only 0.075s from the official BMW Motorrad squad of Michal van der Mark, Markus Reiterberger and Steve Odendaal.

The ELF Marc VDS Racing Yamaha team of Randy de Puniet, Florian Marino and Alessandro Delbianco were third fastest ahead of the Yamaha Factory Racing Team (Jack Miller, Andrea Locatelli and Katsuyuki Nakasuga) in fourth, who were hindered by technical problems in the afternoon.

Reflecting on his qualifying performance, Rea said: “Today there was still some little margin, I had some traffic on my lap, but not enough to account for five tenths to be able to make 2'03. So, I think a 2'03 tomorrow is quite ambitious.

“Of course, I will do my best, but it depends on the conditions, so let's see. This race is about finding a compromise between three riders.

“For me, it is more important to understand lap by lap how to get the best from the bike. Step by step I am learning, making some small adjustments to my riding style and also using some personal electronic settings.

“I am just trying to understand how to get the best from myself, the bike and the track.”

Rea is hoping for a dry race on Sunday but remains confident of the team’s prospects regardless of the conditions.

He added: “As for the race I would prefer a dry track, but if it is wet we are still in a good position because Takumi is very fast in the wet.

“Chantra was also quite fast in the wet conditions and I was fast as well, so I think we are prepared whatever the conditions.

“I think this year's Suzuka 8 Hours will be won by the team that makes the fewest mistakes, stays consistent and has no problems during the race.

“I will just try to use all my experience, stay calm and be consistent.”

Sunday’s 8-hour race is scheduled to start at 03:30 BST.