2025/06/06
Don't Miss Out!? 'My 8-Hour Endurance Race Fail Stories'
A Must-See for Beginners!
"Th-this wasn't supposed to happen..."
The Suzuka 8 Hours is full of fun! However, to fully enjoy it, there are several "must-know points" you should definitely keep in mind.
This is the story of a certain spectator who kept missing every single one of those points—
Failure Story ① 'Where Should I Park the Car!?'
I headed to Suzuka Circuit with my beloved car, but I was at a loss because I didn't know that the main parking lot at Suzuka Circuit during the Suzuka 8 Hours event was "all advance sales."
For those without advance parking tickets, the "Misono Parking Lot" is available for same-day use, but the number of parking spaces is limited. If the Misono Parking Lot is also full, please use nearby private parking lots.If you couldn't secure a prepaid parking ticket and are worried about finding an available parking spot on the day of the event, consider using public transportation such as trains or buses.
Failure Story ② 'Sleepy...'
I had been looking forward to the Suzuka 8 Hours for a long time! Last night, I was so excited that I fell asleep only in the early morning... On the day, although I arrived at the venue, I was overwhelmed by fatigue and intense sleepiness...
Many people fall into the pattern of arriving at Suzuka almost sleepless and exhausted, either because they were "too excited" or "ended up preparing on the day until midnight."The Suzuka 8 Hours is packed with fun events, but since it is an outdoor summer event and the venue is large, it can be physically demanding. To fully enjoy the day, it is essential to maintain good condition. Getting enough sleep is the most important thing. Therefore, plan your preparations carefully, considering not only the day of the event but also the sleep the night before.
Failure Story ③ 'Before I knew it, it turned bright red...'
I had heard it would be very hot, so I chose short sleeves to stay as cool as possible. However, I forgot to apply sunscreen...
Except for those who usually work outdoors or have outdoor sports as a hobby, these are the top points you need to be careful about.Suzuka 8 Hours is packed with various events, so before you know it, quite a bit of time has passed, and you end up getting heavily sunburned... This happens often.
Especially the wrists, neck, and the tops of feet wearing sandals are prone to getting sunburned unintentionally.
On the day you get sunburned, you often just feel that "the burned area is a little hot," but as time passes, it starts to sting... so be careful as it can become serious.
Failure Story ④ 'Sudden Heavy Rain...'
It suddenly started raining! Did the weather forecast say it would rain...!?
A sudden squall in the evening. Without an umbrella or raincoat prepared, we had no choice but to take shelter and wait...
Summer is a season with frequent sudden changes in weather. In the past, even during the Suzuka 8 Hours week, strong rain fell locally despite the precipitation probability not being very high."Kappa" raincoats and ponchos can be worn anywhere inside the venue, including the spectator seats, and can be folded small when not in use. Be sure to keep at least one in your bag.
Failure Story ⑤ 'I'm Thirsty...'
Let's try walking all the way to the west area with a little effort! ...Oh, I forgot to bring a drink.
Hmm, I feel a bit... dizzy...
It is now common knowledge that frequent hydration is necessary during the summer. To avoid dehydration, it is better to drink small amounts of water before you start feeling thirsty.Suzuka 8 Hours has been sponsored by "Coca-Cola" for many years, and during the Suzuka 8 Hours week, you can find a wider variety of Coca-Cola products than usual at various locations within the venue.
To avoid dehydration, it is recommended to always carry drinks like 'Aquarius' that are suitable for replenishing lost body fluids.
Failure Story ⑥ 'Uh... a bug!'
Watching from the West Area. There’s plenty of greenery nearby, making it a great spot to watch…
Oh, wait, I just heard an annoying buzzing sound right by my ear…!
Depending on the weather, temperature, wind direction, and location, mosquitoes may be attracted since it is outdoors during the summer.Even if you manage to get rid of one, if you're unlucky, several more may come, causing trouble for a long time, so be sure to bring insect repellent spray and other pest control items.
Failure Story 7: "The battery... died..."
Nowadays, just one smartphone is enough, so it's convenient... Huh...? I just realized my battery is almost dead...
Ah! I forgot my portable charger...
Nowadays, smartphones play an active role in every situation, from tickets to gathering information. In other words, if you can't use a smartphone, you may face difficulties in various situations.Especially for the Suzuka 8 Hours, which has content from morning till night and is a long event to stay at, smartphone battery issues should be prioritized. Be sure to bring a fully charged mobile battery and make sure you can charge your device at the venue as well.
Failure Story ⑧ 'Missed the Event...'
Wow, the Suzuka 8 Hours is really fun after all…! Now, I think it's about time for the talk show… Huh, what time is it again?…
Ah! No way… it's already over…
At the event-packed Suzuka 8 Hours, various events sometimes take place simultaneously at different locations. It is important to check the time and place of your desired events in advance to ensure you are at the right place at the right time, so you won't have any regrets.Please note that depending on the weather and the schedule on the racing course, there may be rare cases where the time, location, or content of the event changes just before it starts. If there are any changes, announcements will be made on the official Suzuka Circuit X (@suzuka_event), so be sure to follow it.
