Image: Supplied.

Four-time WorldSBK champion Jonathan Rea says ‘common sense prevailed’ after his Kawasaki Racing Team was awarded victory at the 2019 Coca-Cola Suzuka 8 Hours after the provisional results were amended.

Rea crashed on an oil spill with the red flag out three minutes from the finish, and although he didn’t reach the finish line, the Kawasaki Racing Team were declared the winners in accordance with the rule stating that in case the race is stopped when the red flag is waved, the standings reflect positions on the previous lap.

“I cannot believe what is happening really,” Rea stated. “From being dejected and feeling that everything was out of our hands, I had already gone back to the hotel, said goodbye to all the guys, with lots of tears.

“I was in the restaurant already, ordering dinner, when my mechanic Uri called me and said, ‘Hey, are you sitting down?’ I thought he was going to ask me to go to another restaurant – but he then told me we had won the 8 Hours.

“I think common sense prevailed in that one. I have no words because I am really emotional and happy. The strategy was to work on fuel consumption and race consistency and make no mistakes. I feel we executed that quite well although I got quite tired and cramped at the end. But we prepared the best way possible with the limited time we had.

“I am so proud to be part of the project and what an effort from KRT, KHI, KMJ who prepared for this race in two tests. During the race it is like hell, the hardest race you can ever imagine, but getting a result like this almost makes me want to come back for more. The emotional roller coaster is unreal.”

Rea will now resume his WorldSBK duties when the championship returns to action on 6-8 August at Portimao in Portugal.