The final race of the 46th Suzuka 8 Hours Endurance Road Race took place on Sunday, August 3rd at Suzuka Circuit in Mie Prefecture. This race is a popular midsummer festival for motorcycle fans, and this year it was held for the first time in Hana no Ginza (old name) under the title "Suzuka 8 Hours Public Viewing 'Summer Festival' in Ginza Sony Park." The venue was so successful that admission was limited, and the excitement was intense from 11am until 8pm.
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Ginza Sony Park, which was built on the site of the former Sony Building at the Ginza Sukiyabashi intersection, was the venue for the Suzuka 8 Hours public viewing.
Public viewing at an outdoor venue with a realistic feel
The Suzuka 8 Hours has become a summer tradition, but Japan's increasingly subtropical summers are becoming increasingly harsh. While future dates are being adjusted, this year's midsummer Suzuka 8 Hours may mark its final year.
For fans unable to make it to the circuit, public viewings have been held for some time. Until last year, the event was held at Welcome Plaza Aoyama on the first floor of Honda's Aoyama headquarters. However, due to reconstruction work on the headquarters building, this year's venue was moved to Ginza Sony Park on the corner of Sukiyabashi intersection.
Doors opened at 11:00, but by 10:30, a large crowd was already lining up, and the first 300 attendees received Honda support merchandise.
A large screen was set up on the fifth floor rooftop, broadcasting live coverage from start to finish. Because it was outdoors, the event felt as if you were watching it at the circuit.
The venue also featured a display of the 2022 Team HRC's winning CBR1000RR-R FIREBLADE SP, allowing visitors to get up close and personal with the 8 Hours race machine. There was also a Suzuka 8 Hours merchandise corner where visitors could purchase official programs and original merchandise from Suzuka
Circuit, and a Suzuka 8 Hours podium corner where visitors could experience the feeling of winning by climbing onto the podium. Various talk shows were held in front of the large screen, including a "Motorcycle Girls' Gathering" stage featuring motorcycle personality Lisa Shimokawahara, actress and talent Tsugumi Sakurai, and model Megu Kanai.
This was the first time the event was held at Ginza Sony Park, but due to limited capacity, admission was limited. While being able to watch the Suzuka 8 Hours in Ginza was a big impact, there were also challenges with the venue.
In any case, Honda HRC's fourth consecutive victory created a great buzz in the venue.
The 2022 Suzuka 8 Hours winning machine, the Honda CBR1000RR-R FIREBRADE SP, will also be on display.
Drinks were also sold at the Suzuka 8 Hours merchandise sales corner.
Large umbrellas were set up to protect against the heat as the venue was outdoors.
The podium corner was especially popular with children and women.
Biker talent Shimokawahara Lisa was busy as the MC and in the girls’ talk party.
