Dunlop Independent Teams Trophy debuts at Le Mans
The Dunlop Independent Team Trophy competition begins at the first round of the FIM World Endurance Championship (EWC) on 9th and 10th April. Registered teams will be taking part in the 24 Heures Moto at the legendary Le Mans circuit in France.
Eurosport Events chose Dunlop, the most successful tyre manufacturer in the history of EWC, as partners for the Independent Trophy following Dunlop claiming the tenth EWC title in twelve years. The new competition is aimed at attracting independent (privateer) teams to the EWC. Any private team can register, as long as EWC judge there is no bike manufacturer support behind the team. Throughout the FIM EWC 2016 season, €300 000 prize money will be allocated to teams registered to the EWC Dunlop Independent Trophy. Both Formula EWC and Superstock class teams will be eligible to compete.
Xavier Fraipont, Managing Director, Dunlop Moto and Motorsport Europe:
“The FIM Endurance World Championship has been a successful proving ground for Dunlop Moto technology, with ten Endurance World Championship titles from the last twelve being won on Dunlop. Therefore, Independent Trophy teams can be confident that they are getting the support from the most experienced tyre company in endurance racing. The spirit of endurance racing is not just about the giants winning, it is about the heroic battles fought by the independent teams. We feel that these teams deserve more focus and so we aim to give them a higher profile platform with this commitment.
“Well over half of the teams on the grid are choosing to compete on Dunlop tyres with two titles being fought for in open tyre competition as well. The 24 Hour race at Le Mans always delivers exciting races and we wish our teams well for the race and the season.”
Dunlop will be defending the EWC title after the Suzuki Endurance Racing Team (SERT) claimed the tenth joint SERT/Dunlop title since 2000. As in 2015, Dunlop’s partner teams vying for the EWC title are Honda Racing, SERT and GMT94 Yamaha.
2016 FIM Endurance World Championship
The 2016 is a shortened season prior to a new format which runs from September to July.
Calendar:
9-10 April: 24 Heures Motos / Le Mans / France
11 June: Portimao 12 Hours / Portugal (race on Saturday)
31 July: Suzuka 8 Hours / Japan
27 August: Oschersleben 8 Hours / Germany (race on Saturday)
Tyre Restrictions:
For qualifying sessions and the 24 hour race:
· EWC class bikes are restricted to 45 dry weather tyres
· Superstock class bikes are restricted to 27 dry weather tyres
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For more information on Dunlop Europe, visit www.dunlop.eu or follow us on Twitter @DunlopMoto
About Dunlop Europe
Dunlop Europe is one of the world’s leading manufacturers of high and ultra high performance tyres with an impressive track record of motor sport successes. Dunlop Europe is the Official tyre supplier to the FIM Moto2 and Moto3 World Championship.
Dunlop Europe’s extensive racing experience has led to innovative technologies for tyres designed for everyday riding.
Dunlop Europe tyres were on the bike that won the first 500cc championship for motorcycles in 1949 and dominated the series through the following decades. In 1991 a bike on Dunlop Europe tyres won the first of three consecutive World Superbike titles and in 2008 Marco Simoncelli took Dunlop Europe’s 200th consecutive 250cc GP win, a series in which Dunlop Europe claimed 17 World Championships. 2010 saw Dunlop Europe become sole tyre supplier to Moto2 with Moto3 following in 2012 and the partnership with Dorna to continue supplying the two main MotoGP support races was renewed for 2015 onwards.
Endurance racing has been dominated by Dunlop Europe teams and riders, with ten Endurance World Championship titles out of twelve since 2002 accrued while each of John McGuinness’ Isle of Man TT wins were on Dunlop Europe tyres. Dunlop Europe has won every major motorcycle accolade going – from GP World Championships to the Isle of Man TT, from World Superbike and Supersport to World Endurance, with similar across-the-board success in motocross and other off-road championships.