http://www.motoonline.com.au/2010/06/14/rr-yoshimura-suzuki-wins-maxwell-fifth-in-suzuka-300/

Maxwell and Kameya finished fifth, good effort!

Honda Dream,...wow!
They are the factory team yeah?
He certainly got onto a great ride then.
Good to see another Aussie going so well, especially in Japan.
What other Aussies are riding in the 8 hr appart from Maxwell?

I really wish the 8 hour had as much importance as it used to, when all the factories entered and the top GP & WSB guys wanted a win in it on their CV. The Summer break in both championships was really to accomodate the race.

Have a look at the list of previous winners and count the world titles between them.
I'm too lazy to do it, but there'd have to be over 50.

It a bit of a reflection on the general downgrading of racing in Japan.
Honda have "supported" teams and Suzuki leave it to Yoshimura. The other 2 companies don't play at all.

In the late 80s/early 90s. racing in Japan was the path to racing in the world championships for Australian riders, as taken by Magee, Doohan, Beattie & Goddard. I think it was Magee, Beattie & Goddard. that fought out the Japanese 500 title one year.
Wayne Gardner went through British racing and made his GP debut with Honda GB, but it was his exploits in Japan where he earned the nickname "Mr 100%" that got him the factory backing, and probably the NSR500 ride.
Hopefully Brodie Waters succes on the 4 hour will get him an overseas ride too.

I believe that not having Australian riders developing the GP bikes in Japan has been bad - the GP riders often comment on the current development riders lack of ability to lap at the pace needed for their reqirements. A check on their lap times when they filled in at the GPs this year backs that up.

It was interesting to see a few European bikes in the 8 hour field this year.
The Ducati's DNF'd as usual, but how long before an Aprilia or BMW win the race, or even the All Japan championship.
That might get a reaction from the local companies.

Anyway, the Japanese economy is supposedly improving, so hopefully we'll see more effort put in to racing there by the local brands.