Ok now this is getting weird considering Honda owns the racetrace as it was built by them as a test track in the 1960's. I thought the Suzuka 8 Hours was the Japan Superbowl. Does Honda really want to give up racing? Not at all. Honda has pulled their team off the roster obviously, the world economy is down. Also their top riders riding WSB will also be busy as the Brno WSB race and Suzuka 8hr are on the same days.
IMO it's just the perfect storm that has stacked up against Honda. It's a bummer but they will be back. Here are my favorite two motorcycle news websites reporting on this recent announcement:
MCN and some comments by
Hell For Leather.com
And for a little history.. some past results of the Suzuka 8hr World Endurance Motorcycle Race:
http://www.motorsm.com/motorsport/mo...rs/default.htm
Interesting note - the track itsel
f 5.864 km Suzuka circuit owned by Honda
Wikipedia page on the Suzuka Circuit - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Suzuka_Circuit