Okada joins Kato's cousin to run #74 at Suzuka.

This Sunday's Suzuka 8 Hours event will see former GP star Tadayuki Okada teamed with Chozum Kameya in the Sakurai Honda team.

"I requested to race the 8-hours this year, I get too much stress just watching races, it's a completely different life. I enjoy the fun of racing," said 'Tady', a former Repsol Honda rider, of his decision to return to race action.

Kameya's participation is particularly poignant as he is a cousin of Daijiro Kato (pictured), who died of injuries at the season opening Japanese Grand Prix and the pair will ride with Kato's #74 plate in a tribute to the 2002 World 250cc Champion.

"I chose #74 for the race, it will give me strength, 'Daichan' was like one of my own family," said Okada. "I am happy to accept the responsibility of racing with the 74 plate.

"Kameya San is a good rider, he's leading the national 250cc championship. He doesn't have much big bike experience but I am happy to race with him, his lap time at the Suzuka test was good. We will race with respect for 'Daichan' but we will be racing to win, that's all we will have in mind," concluded the Japanese veteran.