Canada’s reigning National Superbike Champ shook off his jet lag and afternoon wet conditions to establish his spot as a key member of the Suzuka Honda World Endurance Team in preparation for the 47th annual running of the prestigious Coca-Cola 8 Hours in Suzuka, Japan, July 5.
Currently holding the overall series Pro Superbike points lead in the Bridgestone CSBK National Series, Young is taking time away from the pursuit of his sixth career Canadian Championship to compete in the world’s biggest motorcycle race for a second time. Previously in 2024, Young had a strong showing for a local BMW Squad with the aim of a ride in the EWS – Endurance World Championship.
Instead, Young made the switch to Honda Canada in 2025, earning the overall national Superbike title in his first attempt for the company that owns the Suzuka Circuit. Young’s squad in Japan is made up almost entirely of engineers and mechanics who work for Honda.
33-year-old Young is the lead listed rider scheduled to compete in the 8 Hour, joined by local aces Genki Nakajima (age 27) and Maiku Watanuki (age 24).
Other Canadian Superbike National Champs to previously compete in the 8 Hour include Miguel Duhamel, Rueben McMurer, Steve Crevier and Jordan Szoke.
“It’s not every day you get passed by Jonathan Rea and Jack Miller in the same session,” explained Young after his final practice on the Bridgestone rain tire equipped CBR1000RR-R. “The track is really grippy. I was just chipping away and eventually I got to the point where it might be the limit – but by then the tires were starting to show their wear.”
Miller rides for Yamaha on the MotoGP circuit while Rea is a former Suzuka victor and six-time World Superbike Champ for Kawasaki.
“Miller is impressive – he has the confidence to really chuck it in,” laughed Young. “For me, it’s more like, I don’t want to break anyone’s stuff. But I’m not feeling too bad; tomorrow is a rest day and that will help.
“The track is great, you can ride just about anywhere,” continued Young of the famed F1 and MotoGP layout, which boasts 18 corners, a cross over section (like a slot car track) and 5.8 kms of length. “We’re in slightly better shape than I expected, so that is a positive.”
After his great experience two years ago, Young’s initial test for the Suzuka Honda Team in Japan last April did not give him full confidence that he would be as well prepared this time around. However, the squad made some adjustments to the CBR and allowed Young to be more comfortable over a stint distance, a key factor in a marathon event with long periods in the saddle and pit stops for tires and fuel.
He started Wednesday’s on track activity with a short installation period, followed by a full 26 lap stretch that pushed his fuel mileage to the max. At this point, Young became more optimistic about his program.
“Yeah, I am more comfortable,” reflected Young. “Now we’re down to about a point five percent rear weight bias with me on it.
“It’s so far, so good. There were a few red flags on track that really interrupted the flow, but those affected my teammates more than me. Genki’s going to be the quickest – he is this team’s full time ride in the Japanese Superbike Championship, on a Honda in the Supersport class.
“The plan is for me to ride first,” continued Young – meaning a start that would see him run across the track for the famous LeMans Start procedure – “Genki is in the high nines (2:09 minute lap time the dry), and I’m a bit slower.”
After starting the day in warm, humid conditions, the afternoon turned drizzly, resulting in the spectacle of a large field of top international racers battling in slippery conditions as their thick knee sliders dragged noisily on the slick track surface.
“I would prefer if it would just rain all day, or else, obviously, stay dry,” commented Young about an event with almost exclusively rain in the forecast. “I think the mixed conditions like today will really help the locals with their pr-existing knowledge.
“I’m in the situation where I have to show up and do my best. My team know what I have going on in Canada, and that I won last Sunday in Calabogie.
“I’m glad it’s only 28 degrees Celsius. On Saturday, we’ll have the Top Ten Trials, where an average of two riders will set our grid position.”
The 47th running of the Coca-Cola Suzuka Eight Hours is slated to start at 11:30am local time, or 10:30pm Eastern Standard Time on Saturday night in Canada.
The fastest lap set on Wednesday was by the vaunted Autorace Ube Racing Bridgestone equipped BMW M1000RR, with star racers Naomichi Uramoto, former World Superbike Champ Sylvain Guintoli of France and Estonian Hannes Soomer. Uramoto lapped at 2:17.5, very close to the dry weather pace. The lap times for this year’s 8 Hour classic is expected to be in the 2:04 range.
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