Jonathan Rea is using the two week break from the WSBK calendar to focus his prodigious talents on winning the Suzuka 8 hour endurance race this weekend.

Rea will be paired with the Japanese duo Kosuke Akiyoshi and Moto2 star Yuki Takahashi on a factory supported Honda CBR1000RR in a lineup that some are tipping to be the team to beat this year.

A victory for Rea would see the North Irishman join a number of Honda legends who have been immortalized in the Suzuka winners pantheon including Mick Doohan, Darryl Beattie, Wayne Gardner, Valentino Rossi and Carlos Checa.

Riding high after a stunning weekend at Brno - where he won Race 1 and finished 2nd in Race 2 – JR has moved back up to third place in the WSBK table and a good showing at Suzuka would keep his competitive edge sharp before his home WSBK round at Silverstone.

Speaking of his hopes for this weekend’s race, Rea said “I’m absolutely thrilled to be given a chance to go back to Suzuka and compete in the 8 Hour race,” adding “I raced there in 2007 in the 300km and was hoping for a chance to do the 8 Hour that year, but it didn’t happen.

“The winners list reads like a ‘who’s who’ of racing and I’d love to add my name to that list. But there are also some fantastic riders who have raced there and never won. It’ll be a big thrill for me and I can’t wait!”