Former MotoGP World Champion Nicky Hayden has been confirmed as one of Michael Van Der Mark’s team-mate at the 2016 Suzuka Eight-Hours, riding for the factory MuSASHi RT HARC-PRO squad with Takumi Takahashi.
Hayden has only raced in the iconic event once before and lasted one lap when he partnered Ryuichi Kiyonari in the Seven Stars Honda team.
“For me it is a great honor to go and compete in a race such as Suzuka 8 hours with long history and very different type of race with running start, pit stops and working with team mates to find the right set up for all us,” said Hayden.
“With the long summer break we have, I am happy to have a chance to stay on the bike and stay sharp. Will be a long tough challenge with many good teams but would be great to win and add the trophy to my collection.”
Michael van der Mark, who is looking to regain the honour of being an Eight-Hours winner for a third time, said: “I’m really happy and honored to be riding again at the Suzuka 8 hours this year. The race is something special during the year and I just couldn’t miss this one after last year.
“Together with the MuSASHi RT HARC-PRO. we have had much good memories. Our main goal of course is to win the race again in 2016 and together with Nicky and Takumi we will have a strong team.”
