Two Podiums at Most, Then an Unforgettable Suzuka 8 Hours
The past few weeks were built around two very different challenges for Twan Smits: the EURO MOTO Superbike round at Most with Team Apreco, followed by the legendary Suzuka 8 Hours in Japan with Motobox Kremer Racing by 321. Two demanding events he looks back on with a good feeling.
A strong weekend at Most
Smits felt comfortable on the bike from the first free practice sessions. After three sessions he was third on combined times, just two tenths off the fastest lap — a promising sign heading into qualifying.
The first qualifying segment didn't go entirely to plan, meaning Smits had to secure his place for Superpole 2 through the first Superpole session, which he did with the third-fastest time. In the decisive session he sharpened his pace further and locked in a front-row start: P3.
Race 1
Another excellent start saw Smits take the lead on the opening lap. He couldn't hold it, dropping back a few positions during the race, before a late overtake secured fourth on the final lap. Marcel Schrötter was handed a time penalty afterward, promoting Smits to third — a podium to start the weekend.
Race 2
Smits again started strongly in the second race, which played out in more controlled fashion. He ran third for all sixteen laps and held the position to the flag — his second podium of the weekend, and a strong result for both him and Team Apreco.
"It was a really strong weekend overall," Smits said. "The confidence was there from Friday."
On to Japan: the Suzuka 8 Hours
There was little time to reflect on the results at Most. Smits travelled almost immediately to Japan for the prestigious Suzuka 8 Hours, part of the FIM Endurance World Championship, where he races for Motobox Kremer Racing by 321.
Preparation didn't go entirely smoothly: team-mate Lennox Lehmann was injured in training, leaving Dirk Geiger and Smits to cover the full race distance between the two of them — meaning extra stints and an additional physical challenge.
A tough but successful race
The race was marked by changing conditions, several safety cars and heavy rain. The team started strongly, running 22nd overall and 17th in class after two hours.
By halfway they had slipped one place overall but held 17th in class, before working their way forward again — climbing as high as 17th overall and 13th in class.
Heavy rain arrived in the closing stages and the race finished behind the safety car. They crossed the line 18th overall and 13th in class. Given the conditions, and the fact that Geiger and Smits had to share the entire race after losing their third rider, it's a result the team is proud of.
"After the EURO MOTO weekend at Most, we travelled straight to Japan for the Suzuka 8 Hours," Smits said. "Even though Lennox's injury meant Dirk and I had to do it as a two-man team, we rode a strong, mistake-free race in heavy rain. I set the fastest lap of all the Dunlop teams, and together we finished P18 overall and P14 in our class."
