Suzuki Motor Corporation has officially announced the structure of “Team SUZUKI CN CHALLENGE” for the upcoming 2025 FIM World Endurance Championship “Coca-Cola” Suzuka 8 Hours, set to take place from August 1–3 at the legendary Suzuka Circuit in Japan.
Innovation Meets Endurance: Suzuki’s Experimental Class Entry
Continuing its commitment to sustainable innovation, Suzuki will once again compete in the Experimental Class using 100% certified sustainable fuel and advanced eco-friendly technologies. Like last year, the initiative focuses on minimizing environmental impact while enhancing race performance, with the team predominantly composed of skilled Suzuki in-house personnel.
The 2025 entry will race aboard the 2025 Team Suzuki CN Challenge GSX-R1000R—an endurance-optimized machine that reflects Suzuki’s technical vision for high-performance, low-impact racing.
Rider Lineup and Development Goals
Confirmed riders include Etienne Masson, a key racer for Yoshimura SERT Motul and returning rider for the CN Challenge team, and Takuya Tsuda, former MotoGP test rider and Suzuki development specialist. The third rider will be announced soon on the official Suzuki website.
Under the guidance of Team Director Shinichi Sahara and Technical Manager Koji Tamura, the squad aims to gather critical performance data under extreme race conditions. The technical insights gained will support Suzuki’s continued development of environmentally responsible motorcycle technologies.
Team SUZUKI CN CHALLENGE – Key Details
- Race Bike: 2025 Team Suzuki CN Challenge GSX-R1000R
- Team Number: #0
- Category: Experimental Class
- Confirmed Riders:
- Etienne Masson (France): 2020 & 2024 World Endurance Champion, 8th in 2024 Suzuka 8 Hours
- Takuya Tsuda (Japan): Multiple Suzuka podiums and JSB1000 veteran
- Team Director: Shinichi Sahara
- Technical Manager: Koji Tamura
- Crew Chief: Takeshi Konno
Suzuki’s participation reinforces its dual mission to drive sustainability and maintain competitive excellence at one of the world’s most iconic endurance racing events.
