When Kevin Schwantz announced that he was coming out of retirement to race in the Suzuka 8 Hours next July, there were rumors that MotoGP riders Valentino Rossi and Cal Crutchlow could be joining him on the grid, however both Yamaha riders denied that they will be taking part in the iconic race.
“It’s a gruelling event.
Of course I’d look at it but it’s not something that’s been openly discussed.
My concentration is on MotoGP and to do the best job I can here for Monster Yamaha Tech 3.
If an opening arises to go there I can at least go and battle with Kevin! We’ll see it may happen it may not.
I’ve heard nothing so far,” commented Crutchlow during Thursday’s pre-race press conference at Jerez.
Valentino Rossi has already competed in the endurance race twice, but when he was much younger, and he and Colin Edwards won the 2001 edition aboard a Honda VTR 1000 branded Castrol.
“I think not.
The schedule for the world championship is very difficult.
It’s always one weekend on, one weekend off, we never have a longer break apart from when is the Eight-Hours.
I like a lot to do the Eight-Hours with the Yamaha and to do it together with Cal would be a great feeling but to make it is very heavy.
To do the test, you have to go in Japan and after the race you have a problem with your body for two or three months because it is like doing four grand prix in a row, pow, pow, pow, pow.
I have the idea and I spoke with Cal but maybe when we are more old.
Maybe me, Cal and Jorge!” laughed Rossi.
After the jump you take a look at highlight video – in Japanese – from the event.
Photo source wikicommons-morio
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