Dunlop set to support top teams at Le Mans ahead of 2024 EWC season

This weekend marks the start of the 2024 FIM Endurance World Championship (EWC) season, with Dunlop once again the tire supplier to the majority of teams competing at the 24 Heures Motos at Le Mans; the first of the four-round championship.

Dunlop will bring a total of 3400 tires to Le Mans, supplying no fewer than 35 teams racing at the 24 Heures Motos this weekend. Top Formula EWC teams will race with development tires to support Dunlop in refining and defining the next generation of hypersport tires. Superstock teams will have a choice of two front and two rear slick options. 

The top Formula EWC category is one of the only classes in international motorcycle racing that still features open tire competition, and Dunlop is proud to be the choice of leading teams at Le Mans, such as long-term partner BMW Motorrad World Endurance Team. The No. 37 team finished the recent pre-event test third fastest, with riders Markus Reiterberger, Ilya Mikhalchik and Sylvain Guintoli showing a strong statement of intent for the upcoming season.

No. 9 Tecmas MRP BMW Racing Team finished the test quickest among its Dunlop-equipped Superstock competitors, with the 24 Heures Motos class winner of last year posting a strong 1m37.324s.

Highly competitive Dunlop Superstock category

2024 is the third season that Dunlop will serve as the exclusive tire supplier to the Superstock category. Le Mans will welcome the entry of six new teams into the class, where all teams will race with the same range of Dunlop KR109 front and KR108 rear tires. 

The Superstock grid at Le Mans will feature a strong lineup of 31 teams, including bikes from Yamaha, BMW, Kawasaki, Honda, Aprillia and Suzuki. All teams will race bikes that are very closely related to those available to buy in the showroom. Last year’s Le Mans winner Tecmas MRP BMW Racing Team and 2023 champion Team 33 Louit will both be amongst the teams to watch this season.

Wim Van Achter, Motorsport Manager, Dunlop Motorcycle Europe, commented: “Racing in the Endurance World Championship provides Dunlop with valuable track time for active research and development of our new ranges. The strength of the Dunlop KR range is testament to the valuable work carried out by our engineers and development teams, underlined by the fact that Formula EWC teams continue to choose the same tires as those competing in the Superstock class. Dunlop enjoys the challenge of open competition at world championship level and wishes all teams success in the upcoming 2024 season.”

On-track action at Le Mans begins on Thursday 18 April, with the two qualifying sessions split between Thursday afternoon and Friday morning. The 24 Heures Motos will then get underway at 15:00 CEST on Saturday 20 April. After Le Mans, EWC will host the 8 Hours of Spa Motos (8 June), Suzuka 8 Hours (21 July) and Bol d’Or (14-15 September).

Check the Downloads section on the toolbar to view Dunlop's press pack for round 1 at Le Mans.