Competing in its first full FIM EWC season from its European base in Belgium, the team was unable to participate in the Suzuka test held in May. It therefore arrived at race week without the same level of information about the newly resurfaced section of the west course as the Japanese-based teams.

A further setback occurred during testing on 1 July when Hannes Soomer crashed near Turn 10 and injured his right shoulder. The injury ruled him out of the race, forcing the team to search immediately for a replacement while continuing its test programme.

French rider Christophe Ponsson was selected as Soomer’s replacement. Ponsson competes with a BMW M 1000 RR in the French Superbike Championship and also has experience in the FIM EWC Superstock category. He accepted the offer and boarded a flight to Japan approximately three hours later.

Despite the difficult circumstances, there was an encouraging result during the wet test session, when Uramoto set the fastest time and confirmed the team’s strong potential in rainy conditions.

In qualifying on 3 July, Uramoto produced an outstanding lap of 2:04.847. He was fastest in the BLUE rider session and also recorded the quickest qualifying time among all Japanese riders competing in the event.

Sylvain Guintoli was prevented from completing a fully clear lap by yellow flags and crashes involving other riders, but recorded a best time of 2:06.076. Ponsson, riding at Suzuka for the first time, adapted quickly to the demanding circuit and improved to a 2:07.648.

The average of Uramoto and Guintoli’s best times was 2:05.461, placing the team ninth and securing its fourth consecutive appearance in the Top 10 Trial. However, rain shortly before the session led to its cancellation, and the starting grid was determined by Friday’s qualifying results. The #76 BMW therefore started the race from ninth position.

The race began at 11:30 on 5 July in wet conditions. Uramoto, selected as the starting rider, immediately charged through the field. He passed several rivals on the main straight, moved into second position at the entrance to the Esses and then overtook the #30 Honda HRC machine at the Degner Curves to take the lead.

Uramoto completed the opening lap in first position, marking the first time in the 47-race history of the Suzuka 8 Hours that a motorcycle from a non-Japanese manufacturer had led the event. He continued to show excellent speed on the wet circuit and remained with the leading group until the first pit stop.

Guintoli took over for the second stint, with the team choosing to complete the race using Uramoto and Guintoli as its two main riders. Because Ponsson had limited experience of both Suzuka and the wet conditions, he remained in a reserve role.

Guintoli delivered a strong performance, including an overtake on the championship-leading #1 YART Yamaha. Uramoto also continued to demonstrate exceptional speed, producing some of the fastest laps in the field when the rain became heavier.

However, several pit stop incidents affected the team’s challenge. During the fourth stop, the motorcycle fell over as it was released following refuelling, resulting in lost time. At the fifth stop, the BMW returned to the pits with almost no fuel remaining. Although the engine had stopped, the pit crew began working while the lights were still illuminated. This was judged to be a pit stop procedure violation, and the team received a 10-second stop-and-go penalty.

After serving the penalty, the team dropped to fifth position. The rain then intensified and another Safety Car period began. The #76 BMW was picked up by a different Safety Car from the teams running in the podium positions, creating a significant effective gap and ending the team’s realistic opportunity to fight for the top three.

The race remained under Safety Car conditions until the finish, with AutoRace Ube Racing Team crossing the line in fifth place.

Although the team was disappointed to miss the podium, the Suzuka weekend produced several important achievements. Only two teams led the race: the victorious #30 Honda HRC and AutoRace Ube Racing Team. Uramoto also recorded the third-fastest lap of the race and was the fastest Japanese rider, demonstrating performance comparable with the world-class MotoGP and WorldSBK riders in the field.

The fifth-place finish delivered 17 championship points, bringing the team’s total to 60 and moving AutoRace Ube Racing Team up to fifth in the standings. The team will now review the achievements and lessons from Suzuka as it prepares for the season finale, the Bol d’Or 24 Hours, where it will target its first FIM EWC podium and its first championship victory.