MotoGP

5 Reasons why: Schwantz returns to Suzuka 8 Hours

The 50-year-old MotoGP legend heads back to the most important race in Japan. Guess why?
Written by Pablo Bueno
2 min readPublished on
Schwantz’s first GP win back in 1988

Schwantz’s first GP win back in 1988

© Suzuki Racing

Kevin Schwantz is arguably the most popular rider in modern motorcycle racing after Valentino Rossi. The fiercely proud Texan – is there any other kind? – won the 500cc world title in the tragic 1993 season which saw arch-rival Wayne Rainey confined to a wheelchair following a crash at Misano.
Back then, Schwantz and Rainey hated each other. But at last year’s Suzuka 8 Hours, Schwantz buried the hatchet, sporting his former nemesis’ helmet colours as he rode to a stunning third place.
Now, the 50-year-old is returning to Suzuka for another crack at the race…
Kagayama helped develop Schwantz’s Suzuki

Kagayama helped develop Schwantz’s Suzuki

© Suzuki Racing

1. The Schwantz-Kagayama dream team

Last year, Kevin Schwantz’s old friend, Japanese rider Yukio Kagayama, convinced him to come out of retirement and return to motorcycle racing. The two formed a veritable dream team, bringing on board Noriyuki Haga – or ‘Nitro Nori’ to his friends – to join them.

2. Suzuki-Schwantz marriage

The Suzuka 8 Hours is the jewel in the crown of the Japanese sporting calendar, and therefore the perfect choice to be the scene of Schwantz’s comeback. And since the Texan spent his entire 500cc career aboard the Japanese manufacturer’s machines, it could only be riding with Suzuki.
Tarmac is hard when you are 50

Tarmac is hard when you are 50

© Suzuki Racing

3. Third place last year

Schwantz, Kagayama and Haga – who had a combined age of 126 when they took the start last year in 2013 – finished on the podium at Suzuka, beaten only by Takahashi/Haslam/Van der Mark of Honda and Suzuki’s Tsuda/Aoki/Brookes. Not bad for a trio of racing grandads!
Wayne Rainey’s colours

Wayne Rainey’s colours

© Suzuki Racing

4. First GP win in 1988

Everyone loves Suzuka but Schwantz absolutely adores the Japanese circuit: “Suzuka holds a special place in my heart because it’s where I won my first 500cc Grand Prix in 1988. The last time I had raced the 8 Hour was in 1992 with Doug Chandler. We got third place in 2013 because Yukio Kagayama made a very good team.”
 
One golden stint last year

One golden stint last year

© Suzuki Racing

5. All out for victory in 2014

For 2014,Schwantz will be reunited with Satoshi Tsujimoto,his team-mate from the 1986 Suzuka 8 Hours. And you can be sure that, despite Schwantz having turned 50 this year, the MotoGP legend will have his sights firmly set on the top step of the podium. Whether he makes it or not , is another matter, but one thing is certain: motorcycle racing needs more guys like Kevin Schwantz.