In partnership with the Fédération Internationale de Motocyclisme (FIM), Warner Bros. Discovery (WBD) Sports activities Europe, which is marking 10 years as promoter of the FIM Endurance World Championship in 2024, is worked up to set out a transparent pathway to the highest within the EWC with a brand new entry-level class, a key element because the build-up to 2025 begins.
Forward of the Bol d’Or bringing the curtain down on one other action-packed EWC season this weekend (14-15 September), WBD Sports activities’ dedication to additional widening the enchantment – and thereby rising entry numbers – of worldwide motorbike racing’s hardest self-discipline is centred on a pyramid that offers riders and their groups various platforms to compete on, no matter their stage of expertise and monetary means.
Utilising FIM-homologated 1000cc production-based bikes, the EWC’s ladder or development begins with the all-new FIM Manufacturing World Trophy, continues with the Superstock class for extra modified equipment and reaches its peak with System EWC, the quickest and most technically superior tier.
FIM PRODUCTION WORLD TROPHY IS GO FOR 2025
From 2025, the FIM Manufacturing World Trophy might be contested throughout the EWC season with groups counting their greatest three scores. An entry-level class, opponents will race 1000cc bikes that carefully resemble their roadgoing counterparts however with solely primary modifications allowed to restrict operating prices and make sure the new class is accessible each financially and in efficiency phrases. With these targets in thoughts, solely the usual gas tank can be utilized and changed throughout pitstops with the help of a secured quick-release connector fairly than by refuelling the motorbike. A minimal pitstop time might be regulated for security causes.
Considerably, FIM Manufacturing World Trophy contenders will get the chance to compete on observe similtaneously the System EWC and Superstock riders and profit from stay broadcasting and publicity on the EWC’s official channels.
An outline of the sporting rules will grow to be accessible sooner or later and a single tyre provider may also be confirmed.
Gilles Stafler, the EWC Sport Coordinator and beforehand a rider and successful group supervisor within the championship, mentioned: “That is an thrilling time for the EWC as we develop this new and accessible class. Over the approaching months we’ll be gathering suggestions from all stakeholders as we work in the direction of finalising the rules for 2025.
“As a former group supervisor within the EWC, I do know solely too properly the monetary pressures that exist. I additionally understand how aggressive the EWC has grow to be, making a pyramid that caters for all ranges of efficiency and funds much more essential. The response we’ve had from riders and groups in the course of the preliminary dialogue section has been actually encouraging and we’ll be seeking to construct on this with a purpose to hit the bottom operating in 2025.”
NEW-FOR-2025 YAMAHA R7 ENDURANCE SERIES TO JOIN TWO EWC WEEKENDS AS A SUPPORT RACE
Along with the brand new class, the new-for-2025 Yamaha R7 Endurance Sequence might be a assist race at two European rounds of the EWC, serving as a possible place to begin for riders and groups contemplating climbing the EWC pyramid sooner or later.
The all-new Yamaha R7 Endurance Sequence will present a platform for riders and groups to progress from nationwide to worldwide stage. Utilizing the Yamaha R7 motorbike on tyres from a managed provider, the Yamaha R7 Endurance Sequence might be contested over long-distance races at two European EWC occasions in 2025. This may give contenders the prospect to expertise an EWC occasion with the view of coming into the championship as everlasting groups in future seasons. The Yamaha R7 Endurance Sequence is open to all no matter age and expertise, both racing for a group or on a purely privateer foundation.
Andrea Dosoli, Yamaha Motor Europe Street Racing Supervisor, mentioned: “We’re delighted to enter into this partnership with the FIM and Warner Bros. Discovery Sports activities Europe for the brand new Yamaha R7 Endurance Sequence. The R7 is the newest in Yamaha’s R-series vary of bikes, combining the right mix of agile dealing with and sports activities efficiency that has already proved itself as the right entry-level racing platform. This has been demonstrated by the success of the quite a few nationwide Yamaha R7 Cups and Challenges Europe-wide, that culminate within the R7 European Cup SuperFinale, which, for the primary time this 12 months, is happening alongside the ultimate spherical of the EWC season on the Bol d’Or. This new Sequence will strengthen our relationship with the EWC even additional and provides folks an inexpensive and accessible strategy to make the step up from racing on the nationwide stage and expertise the thrills and challenges of endurance racing in entrance of a world viewers.”
KEY DEVELOPMENTS SUPPORTED BY THE FIM AND THE RACE PROMOTERS
Jean-Baptiste Ley, Motorsport Occasions Director at Warner Bros Discovery Sports activities, the EWC promoter, mentioned: “The EWC is in good condition, however over the previous few seasons, we’ve felt there was a chunk of the puzzle lacking. Whereas new entrants be a part of the championship every season, we wish to attain increased grid numbers to strengthen the way forward for the self-discipline. To do that, we have now developed a pyramid that not solely simplifies the entry to endurance racing however establishes a transparent pathway for development utilizing the identical base bike however at completely different ranges of efficiency and technical preparation. We all know the curiosity is there, we simply wanted to create a platform that makes the EWC extra accessible. We’re assured the FIM Manufacturing World Trophy will present this entry level and we’re happy to have the total assist of the FIM and the race promoters.
“On the similar time, we’re delighted to be partnering with Yamaha Racing on the brand new Yamaha R7 Endurance Sequence. It’s additionally an important alternative for riders and groups to expertise the EWC earlier than they totally embrace it sooner or later.”
Paul King, CCR Director, Fédération Internationale de Motocyclisme, mentioned: “The competitors stage of the FIM Endurance World Championship and the FIM Endurance World Cup is rising impressively and the FIM may be very happy with this development. Nevertheless, the impact of this improvement is that the efficiency of the machines and the inherent prices are rising. We are attempting to manage these prices, which can also be as a result of affect of the COVID-19 international well being pandemic and inflation worldwide and stir the curiosity of the groups that would have turned away from this very particular self-discipline, endurance. The creation of this new manufacturing class will enable us with extra normal bikes and progressive concepts to create a decrease price class whereas making certain that the performances of those machines on the observe are very near the cutting-edge machines, the EWC and Superstock machines. It’s a problem but in addition an important alternative for this championship to convey new groups and retain a few of our current pals.”
