Levi Day to Suzuka 8hr with "Over Racing Japan"

Australian international racer Levi Day has signed to ride in Japan’s biggest motorcycle race, the Suzuka 8-Hour Endurance Race.

British-based Day, 23, will give the Over Racing Projects  team added international flavour – a Japanese team, fielding an Italian Aprilia RSV4 1000cc machine, with riders from Japan (former GP rider Toshiyuki Arakahi) and Italy.

The Suzuka event on July 28 is a round of the World Endurance Championship.

It will be Day’s first race in Japan, adding to a burgeoning international career that has already seen him compete in England, Spain and South Africa.

The young Mt Gambier rider sold all his racing equipment in Australia to secure a ride this year with the Moto Breakers team in the hotly contested British Superstock 600 Championship.

Day won the Superstock 600 class of the 2010 Australian 6-Hour Endurance Race at Phillip Island and is equally adept on classic machines, winning four Australian Historic Championships on a Honda.

Over Racing team principal Kensi Sato is no stranger to Australian riding talent, having competed in the 1977 Australian Grand Prix at Bathurst.

“To be selected by Over Racing to ride in Suzuka is very exciting; I have always dreamed of travelling to other countries to race,” Levi Day said.

“When you look at previous years’ entry lists and winners, including Australian’s Wayne Gardner, Kevin Magee Mick Doohan, Daryl Beattie, Tony Hatton and Mick Cole. it is a very prestigious race meeting. Taking new steps in my career is very exciting and I just look forward to the experience

“It will be a challenge learning the famous Suzuka circuit on a new machine, but it is a flowing circuit like Phillip Island. But I have had experience dealing with new circuits and machines by competing in the Spanish 125 championship and now the British Championship.

“I’m not sure where this ride with Over Racing might lead, but the idea of racing regularly in the World Endurance Championship really appeals.

“The circuits on the WEC calendar look great and you can combine that with competing in British or European racing. But I just hope to bring a positive and hard-working attitude to the Over Racing team, and to show some good pace and consistency.”