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A superb edition in front of more than 82,200 spectators!

27.09.2011

A superb edition in front of more than 82,200 spectators!

A partner of teams competing in the classic Le Mans race for many years, Motul has also been proud this year to be the official partner of the event.

 

This has meant that apart from benefitting from the use of a hospitality suite to welcome a hundred or so clients, Motul enjoyed high visibility throughout the event (grid girls, podium, etc.).

But, this year, once more, it was on the track that the brand and its 'Factory Line' range of products were best showcased, as by seven-time winner of the event: Suzuki Endurance Racing Team (SERT). Despite the withdrawals of two of its three riders in the days preceding the race, the 2010 World Champion team pulled off a historic race, neck to neck for 24 hours with team SRC Kawasaki. Victory even looked possible for a long time for Delhalle/Sakai/Guittet, Dominique Méliand's men. However, at 10 : 40, Daisaku Sakai (Suzuki) took prematurely to the pits suffering mechanical trouble. Even through the repair was very fast, this was enough for Kawasaki to take the lead and get ahead of its closest contender.

 

Winner for the second consecutive year, team SRC Kawasaki therefore mounted the highest step of the podium. Behind we find SERT which took advantage of the points associated with second place to take back the lead of the 2011 rider standings, then  Yahama Austria Racing Team (YART). Also supported technically by Motul, team Yamaha bagged a well deserved third on the podium of this 34th edition of the 24 Hours Moto. During the night, the Austrian Yamaha of Igor Jerman, Steve Martin and Loris Baz indeed made a magnificent rise from the bottom of the standings after a fall by Loris Baz at the beginning of the race. Behind, we find teams SH Technlogie Scrubs (BMW) and Honda Sud-Ouest 04 Spirit, which took respectively 11th and 12th places.
After many overtaking manoeuvres between the first three Superstock teams, it was finally Team Motors Events, in other words the Suzuki ridden by Bocquet, Grarre and Gines which won. Supported by Motul, no.72 of Junior Team Suzuki LMS finished third place in Superstock with Tangre, Enjolras and Napoleone at the handlebars. Meanwhile, team AZ Moto Expert (Suzuki) took 10th place.

In the open category, a fine third place also for team PS LSL X-lite No.161 (Kawasaki) which, after a fall in the race, made a particular heroic return to the pits for repairs before returning to the track.

On the other hand, there was palpable disappointment in the pits of teams  DG Sport, FMA and National Motos, all three of which were forced to abandon the race.

Next and last meeting of the Qtel FIM Endurance World Championship on 12 November for the 8 Hours of Doha in Qatar.

EWC Standings
1// SERT (Suzuki) – 90pts - Motul
2// BMW Motorrad France 99 – (BMW) – 81 pts

Image : © David Reygondeau

A superb edition in front of more than 82,200 spectators!