Rookie squad Staff Étoile has recruited FIM Endurance World Championship podium finisher Kazuki Watanabe for its maiden EWC marketing campaign.
The 33-year-old one-time MotoGP racer from Japan will contest the three European rounds of the Superstock-based FIM Endurance World Cup on Staff Étoile’s BMW M1000RR outfitted with Dunlop tyres, the unique provider to the Superstock division.
Below the steerage of Staff Principal Takashi Ichikawa, Staff Étoile, which has put in place a 10-year plan to succeed in the highest within the EWC, has additionally finalised its rider line-up for the season-opening 24 Heures Motos from 18-21 April.
With Hikari Okubo – who was introduced as a Staff Étoile rider together with Yudai Kamei final December – unavailable as a consequence of his clashing commitments within the FIM Supersport World Championship, Kyosuke Okuda will be a part of Kamei and Watanabe at Le Mans. Rising expertise Shogo Kawasaki, who brings expertise from the Italian SS600 class, has been nominated because the outfit’s fourth rider for the primary occasion of the 12 months and the season-deciding Bol d’Or.
“It’s an honour to be requested to be a brand new member of this new staff,”stated Watanabe, who completed ninth general in final season’s 24 Heures Motos. “To be trustworthy, it was unclear that I’d carry out as a pro-racing rider, so I respect Staff Principal Ichikawa for this opportunity.
“I really feel the fervour from the staff idea to be the profitable staff in EWC with 10 years planning. I’m in search of possibilities to present suggestions primarily based on my expertise to the staff and hoping that the staff will discover the best way to get to the highest. For now, although, I’ll purely get pleasure from using within the 24 Heures Motos.”
Staff Principal Takashi Ichikawa stated:“Since this staff has been began from scratch, we needed to begin from zero with the preparation of the bikes and the delivery of products to France. In the course of February, lastly the staff had accomplished the preparation for the primary observe session and 5 riders gathered collectively. With uncountable assist from everybody and with the trouble of the staff workers, quickly we are going to go to France with all issues we want for the race. On the finish of March, it’s scheduled to proceed with the bike organising with lately joined riders Watanabe, Okuda, Kawasaki and Kamei.”
Okubo stated:”The riders, mechanics and workers are all right here lastly and I’m excited concerning the state of affairs. Now we have skilled riders within the staff, I’m already seeing the nice outcome with our strong work within the upcoming race. Sadly, it’s not potential for me to take part in Le Mans, however I’ve loads of expertise in Le Mans, so I hope it may well contribute to constructing a greater bike for the staff.”
Kamei stated:”BMW, Dunlop tyres and the Le Mans monitor are the unknown issues in my profession. It will likely be so difficult, nevertheless it really sounds enjoyable. I have already got a balanced feeling from the M1000RR on the primary experience final December. It’s my first try at this 24-hour race although I’ve by no means failed within the Suzuka 8 Hours earlier than. I imagine we are able to do a superb outcome with a gradual experience from our quick riders. To make this potential, I’ll enhance my tempo within the official take a look at to maintain a strong 80 per cent tempo within the race.”
Okuda stated:“I’m eager on catching up with each Watanabe and Kamei since they’re top-ranking riders of the JSB1000 class [in Japan]. It will likely be my first experience in Le Mans, I’ll attempt to seize how from my team-mates and my objective is to be as fast as them within the common laps.”
Kawasaki stated:“I’m joyful to affix for the 24 Heures and Bol d’Or because the fourth rider. My mission is to ascertain the understanding of 1000cc bikes from my team-mates. I hope this opportunity would be the set off of my profession. I respect this supply and can strive my finest for the staff.”
Staff Étoile is planning to check on the Circuit Bugatti at Le Mans for the primary time on 25 March forward of the Le Mans Pre-Check from 2-3 April.
