EVA RT TRICK STAR TO JOIN THE FRAY IN 2016/2017 SEASON

Eva RT Trick Star has just announced that it will compete in the whole of next season’s FIM EWC championship. The Japanese privateer was one of the most exciting teams at the Suzuka 8 Hours.

The FIM EWC is going international, with a new Japanese team making its entry into the championship for the entire 2016/2017 season.

Eva RT Trick Star has been a Suzuka 8 Hours fixture – and one of the race’s most exciting participants – for the past 10 years. The team also made a successful foray into the 24 Heures Motos in 2013, finishing 9th.

Team founder Ryuji Tsuruta says the Le Mans experience was one of the reasons he decided to enter for a full season. ‘We thought it would be an easier race. But the advantage of 24-hour races is that they give privateers like us a chance at the podium. That made us want to go back and sign up for an entire season. Eurosport Events taking over as championship promoter is another plus point.

Ryuji Tsuruta plans to use riders Osamu Deguchi, Hitoyasu Izutsu and Erwan Nigonto to take on the Bol d’Or come September.

Eva RT Trick Star’s past performance at the Suzuka 8 Hours

2015: 11th (O. Deguchi, H. Izutsu, E. Nigon)

2014: 24th (O. Deguchi, H. Izutsu, G. Leblanc)

2013: 12th (T. Serizawa, O. Deguchi, H. Izutsu)

2012: Withdrew in the last few laps after a battle for 3rd place with GMT94

2011: 5th (O. Deguchi, T. Serizawa, S. Takeishi)

2010: 15th (S. Takeishi, T. Serizawa, Y. Konno)

2009: 2nd (H. Izutsu, S. Takeishi, R. Tsuruta)

2008: 15th (S. Takeishi, R. Tsuruta, K. Eguchi)

2007: 13th (R. Tsuruta, K. Eguchi)

2006: 8th (R. Tsuruta, M. Matsudo)