If history tells us anything, it’s that racing innovations eventually trickle down to the bikes you and I ride every day. Whether it’s ABS, traction control, quickshifters, or even aerodynamic winglets, what starts on the track rarely stays there. And now, Suzuki is laying the groundwork for what could be the next big leap, not just in performance, but in sustainability.
At this year’s 46th Coca-Cola Suzuka 8 Hours Endurance Road Race, happening August 1 to 3 at Suzuka Circuit in Japan, Team Suzuki CN Challenge is back in the saddle. But they’re not just there to race, they’re there to experiment.
Just like in 2024, the team is entering the Experimental Class, a special category that gives manufacturers room to test emerging tech in real race conditions. Last year’s headline? Fuel that was 40% bio-derived. This year? 100% sustainable fuel.
This isn’t just some lightweight PR move. The bike they’re racing—a specially prepared GSX-R1000R—is powered entirely by Excellium Racing 100, a fuel developed by TotalEnergies. It’s made from waste materials like grape pomace, used cooking oil, and other by-products of the food industry. It burns clean, hits hard, and slashes lifecycle CO₂ emissions by up to 65%—all while meeting the demands of one of the toughest endurance races in the world.
Riding that bike will be a trio of serious talent. Etienne Masson, a current Yoshimura SERT Motul rider, returns to the CN Challenge after racing with them in last year’s 8 Hours. He’s joined by Takuya Tsuda, Suzuki’s longtime MotoGP test rider and current development rider for the program. The third rider is still to be announced, but if last year’s effort is anything to go by, the squad will be more than up to the challenge.
It’s also worth noting that, so far, the entire team staff is made up of Suzuki employees—a clear sign that this project isn’t just about racing. It’s about R&D, product development, and long-term vision. As Team Director Shinichi Sahara put it during the Tokyo Motorcycle Show, “We’re serious about trying to achieve better results than last year, and of course to win. There’s no point in doing it otherwise. There are insights that can only be gained by developing at the extreme limits.”
And that’s exactly what makes this such a big deal. Because while electric vehicles are becoming more common—and rightfully so—the story doesn’t have to end with EVs. It’s not about pushing electric versus combustion. It’s about creating multiple pathways forward, and sustainable fuel is one of the most promising options on the table.
If Suzuki can successfully race a 100% renewable-fueled superbike at Suzuka, then what’s stopping similar tech from hitting the street? Maybe not tomorrow, but someday. And when that day comes, it won’t just be about keeping internal combustion alive for nostalgia’s sake. It’ll be about reinventing it for a cleaner, smarter, and still adrenaline-filled future.
Sources: Suzuki, TotalEnergies
