On the line for the first round at Suzuka in Japan, all the major factories were razor-keen to make major impressions on their backers in front of a massive home crowd. 1986 champion Eddie Lawson (Marlboro-Yamaha) Wayne Gardner (Rothmans-Honda) and Randy Mamola (Lucky Strike Yamaha) were fired up for the start of the 1987 season. Britain's Niall Mackenzie took pole position in his first GP on a works V4 Honda and set the tongues wagging. The 250 race was equally exciting with the local runners more than equal to the challenge of reigning champion Carlos Lavado (Yamaha) and the rest of the European contingent.