Suzuka Eight-Hours - Haslam 'aiming to win'

Britain's Leon Haslam goes to the 2013 Suzuka Eight-Hours aiming to win the event for the first time after a good second test session saw him as fast as his Japanese team-mates at their home circuit.

Haslam had to switch from his usual Pirelli tyres to Bridgestones, which require a different approach to corners, and will start free practice on a confidence high. His injured leg is slowly recovering and Haslam says the lower-spec endurance engine makes riding easier compared to the usual Pata Honda World Superbike he campaigns.

"I’m proud to be picked by a strong team, aiming to win. All three of us tested the bike recently and it went well. We worked hard, comparing the Bridgestone tyres and getting back up to speed at Suzuka," said Haslam.

"I ended up equalling our team’s fastest lap time in two days of rain during the first test; in the second Suzuka test in the dry I threw in a race run and was quickest in our team. We’re prepared for any conditions. Suzuka is one of those circuits where you have to love it. The more laps you do the better you get.”

By WSBK desk

Image by Honda Racing