12
May
2018
|
20:39 PM
Europe/Amsterdam

GMT94 Yamaha closes championship gap to one point

  • Superstock 1-2 for Dunlop
  • Atomic 68 success after late switch to Dunlop
  • Tati Team Beaujolais holds Endurance World Cup lead

Dunlop’s teams took three of the six podium places at the FIM Endurance World Championship (EWC) 8 Hours of Slovakia Ring. GMT94 Yamaha lost out on a win by only 31 seconds despite needing an additional fuel stop to the victor.  The squad is now just one point behind the standings leader with two rounds remaining in the 2017/18 season. Honda Endurance Racing narrowly missed the podium and finished in fourth place which keeps them third in the title battle. Suzuki Endurance Racing Team finished seventh. Dunlop introduced a new rear tyre for the three factory teams who were very pleased with its performance and handling.

Tenth overall went to Superstock winner Yamaha Viltaïs Experiences. Second in the class was Atomic 68, the team having switched to Dunlop during the Slovakian event. Tati Team Beaujolais finished fifth in class and 16th overall which scored them enough points to retain the Endurance World Cup lead. Moto Ain move up to second in the standings after finishing 17th overall and sixth in class.

Atomic 68 was the Dunlop Independent Trophy winner, receiving €4000 of the total €20,000 prize fund shared between the top ten registered teams. Wojcik Racing Team took second prize followed by Tati Team Beaujolais in third.

Roland Wozniak, International Event Manager, Dunlop Motorsport

“Our teams did well because it was not an easy race with the track temperature of 41 degrees at the start being much higher than during all the practices. That made it very difficult for teams to get the right set-ups and tyre pressures. The teams were all very happy with the tyre performance and we are pleased with how the factory teams appreciated the improvements with the new rear tyre. The Superstock teams were able to race for four stints on the front tyre and two on the rear. It is a shame that GMT missed the win but their fuel efficiency wasn’t quite enough to prevent needing that final stop. Hopefully we can get back on the top step in Germany at the next round.”