The GMT94 Yamaha Official EWC Team and YART Yamaha Official EWC Team are geared up and ready to start the 2016 FIM Endurance World Championship (EWC) season at the Le Mans Bugatti circuit this weekend.
The two official Yamaha teams come equipped with their brand-new endurance-spec YZF-R1s to take part in 24 hours of non-stop racing action from Saturday 3PM to Sunday 3PM during the 39th edition of the famous 24 Heures Motos in Le Mans.
After almost seven months of waiting since the last endurance race, the 2015 Bol d'Or, the GMT94 Yamaha Official EWC Team is eager to get back on track with an exciting new rider-line-up, consisting of David Checa, Louis Rossi and Niccolò Canepa. They will be guided along the way by Team Manager Christophe Guyot, who's leadership already rubbed off on 'endurance rookies' Rossi and Canepa when the team secured the fastest time of the second day in wet conditions during the official pre- Le Mans test last week.
The YART Yamaha Official EWC Team will also be up for the Endurance World Championship challenge again this year. The first day of pre-season testing at the Le Mans circuit already saw some a glimpse of YART's YZF-R1 strong pace, which saw them set a new track lap record for the endurance class at the Bugatti circuit last year. The Austrian team returns to the scene more determined than ever to position themselves as a key protagonist and can't wait for riders Broc Parkes, Iván Silva and Max Neukirchner to kick off the season.
The Le Mans Bugatti circuit was built in 1965 around an already established 24-Hour track and is dominated by slow corners. Late braking, hard acceleration, and rear end traction are essential at this circuit, which offers plenty of overtaking possibilities that the fans don't want to miss out on.
The opening race of the season is also the longest featured on the 2016 endurance calendar and forms the ultimate for the riders who are confronted with 24 hours of grueling action, uncertain weather conditions, and visibility problems during the hours between dusk and dawn. All the while it is crucial for the riders to maintain their focus whilst maneuvering around a 998cc machine that weighs 172 kg, because every second counts.
To make this highly-intense race easier for the riders to cope with, the YZF-R1 has been modified. Not only is the weight and size reduced, but also the sturdiness and performance are enhanced. However, endurance bikes remain heavier than the short-distance race bikes, because of the lights on the bike for riding in the dark, a bigger tank that holds more fuel and the heavier bodywork for extra durability.
The GMT94 and YART team will be joined in the Formule EWC class for this extremely challenging race by fellow Yamaha teams 'Motobox Kremer Racing' and the 'Maco Racing Team'. In the superstock class Yamaha will be represented by 'Yamaha Viltais Experiences' and 'Slider Endurance', as well as five other non-contracted teams.
Can't attend the spectacular 24 Heures Motos Le Mans event? Fret not! Endurance fans can keep up to date on the racing action by keeping a close eye on Yamaha Racing's social media channels. It's Facebook, Twitter and Instagram channel will not only be filled with live updates on track action, but will also feature quotes from riders and team managers and the latest imagery. Additionally, these pages and the Yamaha Racing Youtube channel videos will be updated with videos that show what goes on at this iconic event both on track and behind the scenes, so fans don't have to miss a thing.
Source: www.yamaha-racing.com
