Honda Motor Co.
said yesterday it was pulling its team out of one of Japan’s most popular and high profile races, the Suzuka 8 Hour World Endurance Championship Race as a part of cost-cutting amid a global slowdown.
Honda’s works team will not be on the grid for the Suzuka Eight-Hour in July, but the company pledged its commitment to the event at its home circuit.
Honda will scale down its participation in all motorcycle races such as motocross, motorcycle trials and other forms of off-road racing, except for the MotoGP.
We have not formally decided yet but we have been looking into the option of pulling out,” Honda’s spokeswoman Akemi Ando said.
“It is something we have been thinking about for a while since we pulled out of Formula One.
We have no plans to leave MotoGP.
”“It’s not strictly accurate to say Honda are pulling out of the Eight-Hour race,” said Ando.
“It is true that our works teams will not take part.
“But Honda supplies bikes and technical support to many of the teams and 60 percent of the bikes on the grid will still be Honda bikes.
”Honda declined to say how much would be saved by ending its participation in the Suzuka 8 Hour World Endurance Championship Race.
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