Team Suzuki Press Office – September 16.
Suzuki Endurance Racing Team and Junior Team LMS Suzuki will start the final round of the 2015 World Endurance Championship, the Bol d’Or 24 Hour in France this weekend, as series leaders in both the World Endurance and Superstock World Cup classes and in strong contention to clinch both titles.
SERT riders Vincent Philippe, Anthony Delhalle and Etienne Masson, aboard their GSX-R1000, currently hold a 23-point lead over GMT94 Yamaha after three rounds, while Junior Team LMS Suzuki riders Baptiste Guittet, Greg Black and Romain Maitre are 15 points clear of Kawasaki’s Traqueur Louit Motos 33.
A total of 54 teams have entered the 79th edition of the Bol d’Or, which after a 15-year absence, moves back to the impressive 5.8 km Paul Ricard circuit at Le Castellet on the scenic Var hillside. The last Bol d’Or in 1999 was won by then SERT riders Terry Rymer, Jehan d’Orgeix and Christian Lavieille.
For many riders it will be their first time at the circuit and returning riders will find that, although some sections of the track have remained unchanged, others have been substantially modified; like the Virage du Pont turn and the ‘S-curve’ Verrerie, which used to be taken flat out but is now tighter, meaning riders have to brake hard, making overtaking a possibility.
The return to Le Castellet has been met with excitement, but also with trepidation, because of the 1.8-km long straight where riders can hit top speeds of over 320 kph.
Following a recent test at the circuit, SERT Team Manager Dominique Méliand is sceptical as to whether the machines will be able to handle the long stretch at top speed lap-after-lap for the entire 24 hours. He said: “It’s a fantastic site for spectators, who can combine a seaside trip with an opportunity to watch the race. But as far as we’re concerned, there are plus and minus points, as there is on all the other circuits. The track has changed and the preliminary round of testing enabled us to trim the bike set-up. But the long Mistral straight will be the clincher, that’s for sure, as the bikes will be running at full revs for at least 18 seconds!”
Thirteen-times World Endurance Champions SERT take to the track tomorrow (Thursday) at 12:20hrs for the first free practice sessions, followed by the opening qualifying session at 17:40. Friday’s second qualifying session takes place at 11:00hrs with Saturday’s Bol d’Or 24-Hour race commencing at 15:00hrs.
Live coverage will be on the FIM Endurance website www.fimewc.com along with Eurosport Satellite TV and Eurosport Player.
Bol d'Or Timetable:
Thursday September 17
12:20-14:20 Free Practice
17:40-19:30 Qualifying 1 (20 minutes per rider)
21:30-22:30 Night Practice
Friday September 18
11:00-12:50 Qualifying 2 (20 minutes per rider)
16:50-18:20 Pit walk
Saturday September 19
11:35-12:20 Warm Up
15:00 Race start
