MotoGP team-mates Bradley Smith and Pol Espargaró will form part of the rider line-up for the factory Yamaha team at this year's Suzuka 8 Hours event.
Tech 3 duo Smith and Espargaró will debut at the event alongside All Japan Road Race champion Katsuyuki Nakasuga on a specially-developed YZF-R1.
It will be the first time since 2002 that Yamaha has fielded a factory outfit for the prestigious race, which it has won on four occasions, most recently in 1996.
"I'm looking forward to trying a new form of motorcycle racing and even more so along with my MotoGP team-mate Pol and Katsuyuki Nakasuga, who has a strong record at this special race," said Smith.
"I think it will be an unforgettable event and it will add another chapter to my life with Yamaha."
"It will be nice to work with Bradley as a partner where we will fight together, instead of against each other. I think we will complement each other very well and have a great time," added Espargaró.
"The only thing is that neither of us know Suzuka, so I hope Nakasuga-san can help us with everything, which includes the circuit, the bike and the correct strategies that we need to have a successful race.
"It will be special and we will do our best to reward the faith that Yamaha has put in us."
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