The Endurance World Championship (FIM EWC) is the premier worldwide endurance championship in motorcycle road racing. The championship season consists of a series of endurance races (with a duration of six, eight, twelve or twenty-four hours) held on permanent racing facilities. The results of each race are combined to determine three World Championships – riders, teams and manufacturers.
 | |
| Category | Motorcycle racing |
|---|---|
| Region | International |
| Inaugural season | 1960 |
| Constructors | Suzuki, Yamaha, BMW, Honda, Kawasaki |
| Tyre suppliers | Dunlop, Pirelli, Bridgestone |
| Riders' champion |  Niccolò Canepa  Marvin Fritz  Karel Hanika |
| Makes' champion |  Yamaha |
| Teams' champion |  YART Yamaha |
| Official website | fimewc.com |
 Current season | |
Until 2016, the championship was held on a yearly basis, but in order to take advantage of the winter break in MotoGP and WorldSBK season, since September 2016 it runs from September to July, with the European races held in September, and then spring and summer of the next year.[1] Scheduling arrangements for the 2020 and 2021 COVID-19 years were different.
History
editThe long-distance races appeared almost at the same time of the invention of the internal combustion engine at the end of the 19th century, with races being held between major cities such as Paris-Rouen in 1894, Paris-Bordeaux, Paris-Madrid and others. In those years cars and motos raced together, competing for speed (fastest time) or regularity (achieving a certain objective time). These races on open roads were very dangerous, and the successive fatal tragedies (such as 1903 Paris-Madrid) move the race to roads closed to normal traffic (before the creation of real racing circuits) led to the separation of cars and motos, and the long-distance races turning into rallies.
The Bol d'Or (most famous and prestigious Endurance race) was held for the first time in 1922 on the circuit of Vaujours, near Paris (a beaten-earth road circuit used since 1888 for 24-hour competitions for bicycles). Other endurance races were created after World War II, such as 24 Hour Race in Warsage (Belgium) in 1951, the 500 Miles of Thruxton in 1955, the 24 Hours of Montjuich in Barcelona in 1957, and the 24 hours of Monza (Italy) in 1959.. At the beginning, most races were held over 24 Hours, but soon shorter races were introduced, defined in terms either of distance (500 Miles, 1000 Miles, and much later even 200 Miles) or of time (12 Hours, 8 Hours or 6 Hours).[2]
The series was founded in 1960 as the FIM Endurance Cup.[3] Initially it was made up of four races: Thruxton 500, 24 hours of Montjuïc, 24 hours of Warsage and the Bol d'Or.[3]
The Bol d'Or was not held between 1961 and 1968, while the 1000 km of Paris was held twice on the circuit of Montlhéry. In the first decade, the FIM EC races were held essentially in Great Britain, Italy and Spain – the three countries with more riders
In 1976 the FIM Endurance Cup became the European Championship and in 1980 a World Championship. During the 1980s the Endurance World Championship calendar numbered up to ten events. The championship's popularity gradually declined and the calendar was gradually reduced to just the four so-called "classics": 24 Hours of Le Mans, 24 Hours of Liège (held in Spa-Francorchamps), 8 Hours Of Suzuka, and the Bol d'Or (held mostly on Paul Ricard or Magny-Cours).
In 1989 and 1990 the Championship went back to a World Cup status, as the number of events required by the FIM Sporting Code was not reached.
The 4 events championship (with 24 Hours of Liège being replaced by other races) in the same year was maintained until 2016. In 2015 FIM and the pan-European television sports network, Eurosport signed a deal for the promotion and coverage of the competition. With this, the organization re-ordered the events, in order to the new championship starting in September and finishing in July, with the European races being held during the winter avoiding the MotoGP and Superbikes schedules.
Races
edit
World champions
edit| 1980–1988, 1991–present | World Championship |
| 1989–1990 | World Cup |
Points systems
edit- Points systems[6]
| Duration | 1st | 2nd | 3rd | 4th | 5th | 6th | 7th | 8th | 9th | 10th | 11th | 12th | 13th | 14th | 15th | 16th | 17th | 18th | 19th | 20th |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 24 Hrs | 40 | 33 | 28 | 24 | 21 | 19 | 17 | 15 | 13 | 11 | 10 | 9 | 8 | 7 | 6 | 5 | 4 | 3 | 2 | 1 |
| 12 Hrs | 35 | 29 | 25 | 21 | 18 | 16 | 14 | 13 | 12 | 11 | 10 | 9 | 8 | 7 | 6 | 5 | 4 | 3 | 2 | 1 |
| Less than 8 Hrs | 30 | 24 | 21 | 19 | 17 | 15 | 14 | 13 | 12 | 11 | 10 | 9 | 8 | 7 | 6 | 5 | 4 | 3 | 2 | 1 |
- For Manufacturers only the highest placed motorcycle will gain points, according to the position in the race.
| Bonus Points | 1st | 2nd | 3rd | 4th | 5th | 6th | 7th | 8th | 9th | 10th |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| All Rounds | 10 | 9 | 8 | 7 | 6 | 5 | 4 | 3 | 2 | 1 |
- For races with duration from 12 to 24 hours, the Top 10 teams after 8 hrs and 16 hrs receive bonus points.
- Manufacturers are not concerned by this rule and will not receive bonus points.
| Starting Grid | 1st | 2nd | 3rd | 4th | 5th |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| All Rounds | 5 | 4 | 3 | 2 | 1 |
- On each race, Top 5 teams on starting grid receive bonus points.
Latest races
edit| List of FIM Endurance World Championship race winners since 2008[7] | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| No | Date | Round | Circuit | Race | Winner | ||
| 1/08 | 19-04-08 |  France
|
Le Mans | 24 Hours Du Mans | SERT #2: William Costes, Barry Veneman, Guillaume Dietrich | ||
| 2/08 | 10-05-08 |  Spain
|
Albacete | 6 Hours of Albacete | SERT #1: Vincent Philippe, Matthieu Lagrive, Julien DaCosta | ||
| 3/08 | 27-07-08 | Japan
|
Suzuka | 8 Hours Of Suzuka | Dream Honda Racing Team #11: R. Kiyonari, Carlos Checa | ||
| 4/08 | 09-08-08 | Germany
|
Oschersleben | 8 Hours of Oschersleben | Kawasaki France #11: Julien Mazuecos, Ivan Silva, Erwan Nigon | ||
| 5/08 | 13-09-08 | France
|
Magny-Cours | 24 Hours Bol d'Or | SERT #1: Vincent Philippe, Matthieu Lagrive, Julien DaCosta | ||
| 6/08 | 08-11-08 |  Qatar
|
Losail | 8 Hours of Doha | YART #7: Igor Jerman, Steve Martin, Steve Plater | ||
| 1/09 | 18-04-09 | France
|
Le Mans | 24 Hours Du Mans | YART #7: Igor Jerman, Steve Martin, Gwen Giabbani | ||
| 2/09 | 31-0-09 | Germany
|
Oschersleben | 8 Hours of Oschersleben | YART #7: Igor Jerman, Steve Martin, Gwen Giabbani | ||
| 3/09 | 04-07-09 | Spain
|
Albacete | 8 Hours of Albacete | YART #7: Igor Jerman, Steve Martin, Gwen Giabbani | ||
| 4/09 | 26-07-09 | Japan
|
Suzuka | 8 Hours Of Suzuka | Yoshimura Suzuki #12: D.Sakai, K. Tokudome, N. Aoki | ||
| 5/09 | 13-09-09 | France
|
Magny-Cours | 24 Hours Bol d'Or | SERT #1: Vincent Philippe, Olivier Four, Freddy Foray | ||
| 6/09 | 14-11-09 | Qatar
|
Losail | 8 Hours of Doha | YART #7: Igor Jerman, Steve Martin, Gwen Giabbani | ||
| 1/10 | 18-04-10 | France
|
Le Mans | 24 Hours Du Mans | GSR Kawasaki #11: Julien Da Costa, Olivier Four, Grégory Leblanc | ||
| 2/10 | 22-05-10 | Spain
|
Albacete | 8 Hours of Albacete | SERT #2: Vincent Philippe, Guillaume Dietrich, Freddy Foray | ||
| 3/10 | 25-07-10 | Japan
|
Suzuka | 8 Hours Of Suzuka | MuSASHI RT HARC-PRO #634: Ryuichi Kiyonari, Takaaki Nakagami, Takumi Takahashi | ||
| 4/10 | 12-09-10 | France
|
Magny-Cours | 24 Hours Bol d'Or | SERT #2: Vincent Philippe, Guillaume Dietrich, Freddy Foray | ||
| 5/10 | 13-11-10 | Qatar
|
Losail | 8 Hours of Doha | SERT #2: Vincent Philippe, Guillaume Dietrich, Freddy Foray | ||
| 1/11 | 16-04-11 | France
|
Magny-Cours | 24 Hours Bol d'Or | SERT #1: Vincent Philippe, Freddy Foray, Sakai Daisaku | ||
| 2/11 | 21-05-11 | Spain
|
Albacete | 8 Hours of Albacete | BMW MOTORRAD FRANCE 99 #99: Sébastien Gimbert, Erwan Nigon, Hugo Marchand | ||
| 3/11 | 31-07-11 | Japan
|
Suzuka | 8 Hours Of Suzuka | F.C.C. TSR HONDA #11: Kohsuke Akiyoshi, Shin'ichi Itoh, Ryuichi Kiyonari | ||
| 4/11 | 24-04-11 | France
|
Le Mans | 24 Hours Du Mans | SRC Kawasaki #11: Julien Da Costa, Grégory Leblanc, Olivier Four | ||
| 5/11 | 12-11-11 | Qatar
|
Losail | 8 Hours of Doha | YAMAHA FRANCE GMT 94 IPONE #94: David Checa, Kenny Foray, Matthieu Lagrive | ||
| 1/12 | 14-04-12 | France
|
Magny-Cours | 24 Hours Bol d'Or | SRC Kawasaki #11: Julien Da Costa, Grégory Leblanc, Olivier Four | ||
| 2/12 | 9-06-12 | Qatar
|
Losail | 8 Hours of Doha | BMW Motorrad France Team Thevent #99: Sébastien Gimbert, Damian Cudlin, Erwan Nigon | ||
| 3/12 | 29-07-12 | Japan
|
Suzuka | 8 Hours Of Suzuka | F.C.C. TSR Honda #11: Jonathan Rea, Kosuke Akiyoshi, Tadayuki Okada | ||
| 4/12 | 11-08-12 | Germany
|
Oschersleben | 8 Hours of Oschersleben | SERT #1: Vincent Phillippe, Anthony Delhalle, Yukio Kagayama | ||
| 5/12 | 8-09-12 | France
|
Le Mans | 24 Hours Du Mans | Kawasaki SRC #11: Julien Da Costa, Gregory Leblanc, Freddy Foray | ||
| 1/13 | 21-04-13 | France
|
Magny-Cours | 24 Hours Bol d'Or | SRC Kawasaki: Greg Leblanc, Loris Baz, Jeremy Guarnoni | ||
| 2/13 | 28-07-13 | Japan
|
Suzuka | 8 Hours Of Suzuka | Musashi RT Harc-Pro: Takumi Takahashi, Leon Haslam, Michael van der Mark | ||
| 3/13 | 17-08-13 | Germany
|
Oschersleben | 8 Hours of Oschersleben | SERT: Vincent Philippe, Anthony Delhalle, Julien da Costa | ||
| 4/13 | 21-09-13 | France
|
Le Mans | 24 Hours Du Mans | SRC Kawasaki #11: Grégory Leblanc, Fabien Foret, Nicolas Salchaud | ||
| 1/14 | 27-04-14 | France
|
Magny-Cours | 24 Hours Bol d'Or | SRC Kawasaki: Gregory Leblanc, Mathieu Lagrive, Nicolas Salchaud | ||
| 2/14 | 27-07-14 | Japan
|
Suzuka | 8 Hours Of Suzuka | MuSASHi RT HARC-PRO: Takumi Takahashi, Leon Haslam, Michael van der Mark | ||
| 3/14 | 16-08-14 | Germany
|
Oschersleben | 8 Hours of Oschersleben | Honda Endurance Racing: Julien Da Costa, Sebastien Gimbert, Freddy Foray | ||
| 4/14 | 20-09-14 | France
|
Le Mans | 24 Hours Du Mans | SERT: Vincent Philippe, Anthony Dehalle, Erwan Nigon | ||
| 1/15 | 19-04-15 | France
|
Le Mans | 24 Hours Du Mans | SERT: Vincent Philippe, Anthony Delahalle, Étienne Masson | ||
| 2/15 | 26-07-15 | Japan
|
Suzuka | 8 Hours Of Suzuka | Yamaha Factory Racing Team: Katsuyuki Nakasuga, Pol Espargaró, Bradley Smith | ||
| 3/15 | 22-08-15 | Germany
|
Oschersleben | 8 Hours of Oschersleben | GMT94 Yamaha: David Checa, Kenny Foray, Mathieu Gines | ||
| 4/15 | 20-09-15 | France
|
Paul Ricard | 24 Hours Bol d'Or | Kawasaki SRC: Gregory Leblanc, Mathieu Lagrive, Fabien Foret | ||
| 1/16 | 10-04-16 | France
|
Le Mans | 24 Hours Du Mans | Kawasaki SRC: Gregory Leblanc, Mathieu Lagrive, Fabien Foret | ||
| 2/16 | 12-06-16 |  Portugal
|
Algarve | 12 Hours of Portimão | GMT94 Yamaha: David Checa, Lucas Mathias, Niccoló Canepa | ||
| 3/16 | 31-07-16 | Japan
|
Suzuka | 8 Hours Of Suzuka | Yamaha Factory Racing Team: Katsuyuki Nakasuga, Pol Espargaró, Alex Lowes | ||
| 4/16 | 27-08-16 | Germany
|
Oschersleben | 8 Hours of Oschersleben | GMT94 Yamaha: David Checa, Lucas Mahias, Niccoló Canepa | ||
| 1/16-17 | 20-09-16 | France
|
Paul Ricard | 24 Hours Bol d'Or | SERT: Vincent Philippe, Anthony Delahalle, Étienne Masson | ||
| 2/16-17 | 16-04-17 | France
|
Le Mans | 24 Hours Du Mans | GMT94 Yamaha: David Checa, Niccoló Canepa, Mike di Meglio | ||
| 3/16-17 | 20-05-17 | Germany
|
Oschersleben | 8 Hours of Oschersleben | GMT94 Yamaha: David Checa, Niccoló Canepa, Mike di Meglio | ||
| 4/16-17 | 24-06-17 |  Slovakia
|
Slovakia Ring | 8 Hours of Slovakia Ring | GMT94 Yamaha: David Checa, Niccoló Canepa, Mike di Meglio | ||
| 5/16-17 | 30-07-17 | Japan
|
Suzuka | 8 Hours Of Suzuka | Yamaha Factory Racing Team: Katsuyuki Nakasuga, Alex Lowes, Michael van der Mark | ||
| 1/17-18 | 17-09-17 | France
|
Paul Ricard | 24 Hours Bol d'Or | GMT94 Yamaha: David Checa, Niccoló Canepa, Mike di Meglio | ||
| 2/17-18 | 22-04-18 | France
|
Le Mans | 24 Hours Du Mans | F.C.C. TSR Honda France: Josh Hook, Freddy Foray, Alan Techer | ||
| 3/17-18 | 12-05-18 | Slovakia
|
Slovakia Ring | 8 Hours of Slovakia Ring | YART: Broc Parkes, Marvin Fritz, Max Neukirchner | ||
| 4/17-18 | 09-06-18 | Germany
|
Oschersleben | 8 Hours of Oschersleben | F.C.C. TSR Honda France: Josh Hook, Freddy Foray, Alan Techer | ||
| 5/17-18 | 29-07-18 | Japan
|
Suzuka | 8 Hours Of Suzuka | Yamaha Factory Racing Team: Katsuyuki Nakasuga, Alex Lowes, Michael van der Mark | ||
| 1/18-19 | 16-09-18 | France
|
Paul Ricard | 24 Hours Bol d'Or | F.C.C. TSR Honda France: Josh Hook, Freddy Foray, Mike di Meglio | ||
| 2/18-19 | 21-04-19 | France
|
Le Mans | 24 Hours Du Mans | Team SRC Kawasaki France #11: Jérémy Guarnoni, David Checa, Erwan Nigon | ||
| 3/18-19 | 11-05-19 | Slovakia
|
Slovakia Ring | 8 Hours of Slovakia Ring | YART: Broc Parkes, Marvin Fritz, Niccoló Canepa | ||
| 4/18-19 | 08-06-19 | Germany
|
Oschersleben | 8 Hours of Oschersleben | F.C.C. TSR Honda France: Josh Hook, Freddy Foray, Mike di Meglio | ||
| 5/18-19 | 28-07-19 | Japan
|
Suzuka | 8 Hours Of Suzuka | Kawasaki Racing Team Suzuka 8H: Leon Haslam, Toprak Razgatlioglu, Jonathan Rea | ||
| 1/19-20 | 22-09-19 | France
|
Paul Ricard | 24 Hours Bol d'Or | SERT: Vincent Philippe, Étienne Masson, Gregg Black | ||
| 2/19-20 | 14-12-19 |  Malaysia
|
Sepang | 8 Hours of Sepang | YART: Broc Parkes, Karel Hanika, Niccoló Canepa | ||
| 3/19-20 | 30-08-20 | France
|
Bugatti Circuit | 24 Hours Moto | F.C.C. TSR Honda France: Joshua Hook, Freddy Foray, Mike Di Meglio | ||
| 4/19-20 | 27-09-20 | Portugal
|
Autodromo do Estoril | 12 Hours of Estoril | YART: Marvin Fritz, Karel Hanika, Niccoló Canepa | ||
| 1/21 | 13-06-21 | France
|
Bugatti Circuit | 24 Hours Moto | Yoshimura SERT Motul: Gregg Black, Xavier Simeon, Sylvain Guintoli | ||
| 2/21 | 17-07-21 | Portugal
|
Autódromo do Estoril | 12 Horas do Estoril | F.C.C. TSR Honda France: Joshua Hook, Yuki Takahashi, Mike Di Meglio | ||
| 3/21 | 19-09-21 | France
|
Paul Ricard | 24 Hours Bol d'Or | Yoshimura SERT Motul: Gregg Black, Xavier Simeon, Sylvain Guintoli | ||
| 4/21 | 9-10-21 | Czech Republic
|
Autodrom Most | 6 Hours of Most | BMW Motorrad: Ilya Mykhalchyk, Markus Reiterberger, Kenny Foray | ||
Classes and specifications
editMotorcycles must be based on road going models with a valid FIM homologation[6]
Formula EWC
editFormula EWC for the FIM EWC Endurance World Championship. Black number plate background, white-light headlamps and minimum weight 175 kg. This is the top category and performance improvements during the race are possible. The overall appearance of the bike cannot deviate from the homologated model, but the fork, damper, swing-arm, brakes, radiator and exhaust can be modified. Teams are also given a relatively free hand to soup up engine performance. The chassis is equipped with a quick wheel change system.[8]
Displacement
- 4 cylinders Over 600 cc up to 1000 cc 4-stroke
- 3 cylinders Over 750 cc up to 1000 cc 4-stroke
- 2 cylinders Over 850 cc up to 1200 cc 4-stroke
The displacement capacities must remain at the homologated size. Modifying the bore and stroke to reach class limits is not allowed.
Superstock
editSuperstock for the FIM World Endurance Cup. Red number plate background, yellow-light headlamps and minimum weight of 175 kg. For Superstock, the machines are practically identical to production bikes. The engine is as provided by the manufacturer, with very limited modifications permitted (injector jets and fuel mapping, clutch reinforcement, a different exhaust silencer, etc.). Wheels must remain as homologated, so teams need a good wheel change strategy at pit stops.[8]
Displacement
- 3 cylinders and 4 cylinders Over 750 cc up to 1000 cc 4-stroke
- 2 cylinders Over 850 cc up to 1200 cc 4-stroke
The displacement capacities must remain at the homologated size. Modifying the bore and stroke to reach class limits is not allowed. In both Formula EWC and Superstock, the fuel tank is modified to a maximum capacity of 24 litres and fitted with a quick refuelling device.
Experimental
editGreen number plate background, yellow-light headlamps and minimum weight of 165 kg. The category includes motorcycles whose engine, main frame or suspension are completely different from the design of the original models. Machines in the Experimental category appear in the general classification of the event but are not classified in the World Endurance Championship. They are only admitted to the start after deliberation by the Race Selection Committee, which selects the machine for its technical and innovative interest. This category can also include electrical machines.[9]
Displacement
- 4 cylinders Over 600 cc up to 1000 cc 4-stroke
- 3 cylinders Over 750 cc up to 1000 cc 4-stroke
References
edit- ^ "New developments for FIM EWC in 2016". fimewc.com. 2016-10-12. Retrieved 2016-02-24.
- ^ "A Short History of Endurance". fim-live.com. 2013-10-02. Retrieved 2016-02-24.
- ^ a b "Coupe FIM d'Endurance 1960". racingmemo.free.fr (in French). Retrieved 2016-07-18.
- ^ "Endurance: 35 anni di storia per il Mondiale di categoria". corsedimoto.com (in Italian). 2015-02-02. Retrieved 2020-03-24.
- ^ "FIM Endurance European/World Championship results" (PDF). motorsporttop20.com. Retrieved 2022-11-30.
- ^ a b "2021 FIM EWC Standings". fimewc.com. 2021-11-30. Retrieved 2021-11-30.
- ^ "Calendar, Ranking, Rules and documents". fim-live.com. Retrieved 2015-09-03.
- ^ a b "EWC Explained". fimewc.com. 2021-11-28. Retrieved 2021-11-28.
- ^ "Catégories Motos". fimewc.com. 2022-05-25. Retrieved 2022-05-25.