The first edition of the Suzuki event which brings together all the fans of the Japanese brand has concluded, an opportunity to rub elbows with Suzuki legends and to discover the GSX-8R CUP
16 maggio 2024
An excellent initiative by Suzuki, which has chosen the World Circuiti Marco Simoncelli to bring together enthusiasts of the Japanese brand, giving them an entire day of excitement and fun in the name of motors, in all the forms in which Suzuki is present: cars, motorbikes and outboard motors. The first edition of the Suzuki Motor Fest thus ended with a success, inaugurated on 11 May in the presence of the Mayor of Misano and Director of the Autodrome, the President of Suzuki Italia Massimo Nalli and the three World Champions and Suzuki icons Kevin Schwantz , Marco Lucchinelli and Franco Uncini, the European rally champion Renato Travaglia and the world rally champion Gigi Pirollo (navigator).
Sessions on the track sold out
Many appointments and activities punctuated the day, including the sessions on the track – all sold out – dedicated to owners of Suzuki motorbikes and cars: 103 Suzuki motorbikes and 51 Swift Sport took to the curbs of the world championship track, while at the The following parade was attended by 550 Suzuki motorbikes and 110 Swift Sport, but those who were unable to take to the track were able to “test” the GSX-8R on the simulator.
The test rides were also protagonists of the Suzuki Motor Fest, in which 150 motorcyclists participated, in addition to the 50 who tried out the 125 motorbike/scooter range in the dedicated area and all those who tried their hand at the obstacle course with the V-Stroms at the V-Strom Academy area.
There were more than 180 people who got excited trying the obstacle course to tackle with the Suzuki Jimny, 70 enthusiasts got behind the wheel of a Suzuki SUV, over 200 who experienced the thrill of the Swift sport with the skid car and almost 150 test rides with the range of Suzuki cars took place beyond the gates of the Romagna circuit. In total, between cars and motorbikes, track and road, there were over 900 protagonists on a Suzuki car or motorbike during the Suzuki Motor Fest!
GSX-8R CUP
But probably, for us motorcyclists, one of the biggest attractions – and surprises – was the GSX-8R CUP: the track version of the Suzuki sports car which gives a more racing twist to the GSX-8R (which, incidentally, has already won a Moto America race with Rocco Landers at Road Atlanta and achieved a second place at Daytona).
The differences compared to the version we already know mainly concern the chassis and the superstructures, while the 776 cc forward-facing twin-cylinder engine, 4 valves per cylinder, 83 hp at 8,500 rpm with a maximum torque of 78Nm at 6,800 rpm remains practically unchanged apart from the Akrapovič exhaust: we find special components such as chain guard, racing tank cap, brake lever protection, racing button panel, sports handlebars, fiberglass fairings, Öhlins hydraulics for the fork, metal braided brake hoses, crankcase guard kit, adjustable footrests , rear rain light and Öhlins monoshock absorber.
According to Suzuki, it is a model under development with characteristics aimed at use on the track and the Suzuki Motor Fest was the opportunity to have it tested by the press and thus continue the development phase and for now nothing has transpired regarding to any repercussions on the road model.
Motor Fest Suzuki: Good start and the GSX-8R CUP arrives
The Suzuki Motor Fest was a party, punctuated by entertainment from the Radio Bruno stage and by the opportunity to enjoy the true icons of Suzuki motorcycle production, such as the over 50 replicas of the World Champion motorcycles thanks also to the presence of ” Two Good Times”. Furthermore, the Suzuki Misano concept was present, the vehicle designed in collaboration with Suzuki by the students of the Master in Transportation Design of IED Turin, a very significant exhibition for a concept that intertwines the philosophy of Japanese automotive design with a design that embodies the Italian tradition of passion, style and fun, but also a mix between car and motorbike, thanks to its four-wheeled boat design with two seats in tandem.
Also on display in the paddock was Mirco Bettini's V-Strom 800DE, fresh winner of the Lamas Rally in Morocco, a race that challenges vehicles and drivers on an 1800 km route in the desert.
Crowd for Schwantz, Lucchinelli and Uncini
In addition to the presence of the Suzuki communities and clubs, great affection for the three legends Kevin Schwantz, Marco Lucchinelli and Franco Uncini, literally overwhelmed during the autograph sessions and who performed a lap of honor to greet all the fans.
Many of the 2,350 present at the event visited the Marine area and appreciated the functioning of the Suzuki Micro Plastic Collector, the first device in the world for outboard engines that allows you to filter the microplastic present in water (seas, lakes and rivers).
Suzuki GSX8R testing the new road sports car (VIDEO and GALLERY)