In a repeat of the Sepang team's fortunes in their home MotoGP last month, a stunning qualifying was to be followed by race day disappointment at the inaugural Sepang 8 Hours endurance race.
MotoGP riders Franco Morbidelli and Hafizh Syahrin will join World Superbike star Michael van der Mark in the home Sepang Racing Team squad for December's inaugural 8 Hours race at the Malaysian circuit.
This great shot by Steve English captures Yamaha Factory Racing's Katsuyuki Nakasuga sliding his YZF R1 on the way to the fastest lap time in Friday morning's qualifying at the Suzuka 8 Hours.
The Suzuka 8 Hours, taking place this weekend, might not feature any full-time MotoGP riders, but the new end-of-year Sepang 8 Hours could see at least two premier-class stars on the grid.
Petronas Yamaha MotoGP team-mates Franco Morbidelli and Fabio Quartararo look set to make their Endurance World Championship debut at the end of this year.