The AutoRace Ube Racing staff has introduced that Isle of Man TT winner Davey Todd has been given the nod to finish its line-up for the 2025 Suzuka 8 Hours.
Todd had been chosen by the squad alongside Spanish Superbike rider Ivo Lopez to audition for the seat freed up by Hannes Soomer, who was injured in an IDM Superbike crash earlier this month.
The pair have been pitted head-to-head throughout Wednesday’s take a look at day for the 2025 Suzuka 8 Hours, with Todd finally getting the seat over Lopez.
The three-time Isle of Man TT winner, who added to his haul on the occasion this yr with a Superbike race victory, will line up alongside ex-MotoGP racer Loris Baz and Naomichi Uramoto on a BMW M1000RR.
An announcement from the staff learn: “No.76 AutoRace Ube Racing Staff, which will likely be competing within the FIM EWC forty sixth Coca-Cola Suzuka 8 Hours Endurance Highway Race, will change its rider line-up for the official session, which begins on Friday 1 August.
“As a result of absence of Hannes Soomer (Estonia), who was scheduled to take part, we’ve invited two riders, Ivo Lopes (Portugal) and Davey Todd (UK).
“They auditioned for the staff throughout a take a look at run held at Suzuka on Wednesday 30 July.
“After the take a look at session, we determine that Davey Todd will likely be racing with us from Friday Qualifying Follow.
“As you may think about, we’re in a tough state of affairs, however we are going to stay united as a staff and struggle to ship a podium end on the Suzuka 8 Hours. We respect your assist.”
Following Wednesday’s take a look at day, the No.76 AutoRace Ube Racing entry was ninth quickest general with a greatest lap of 2m07.158s.
The No.30 Honda HRC entry of Johann Zarco, Xavi Vierge and Takumi Takahashi led tthe method with a 2m05.645s forward of the manufacturing facility Yamaha No.21 crew of Jack Miller, Andrea Locatelli and Katsuyuki Nakasuga.