June 10th, 2024.



The performance and consistency of Dunlop’s tyres helped to create exciting race action at the new-format 8 Hours of Spa Motos, the second round of the 2024 Endurance World Championship (EWC), on Saturday.

Leading Dunlop teams in the open competition Formula EWC category and all teams in the Dunlop-supported Superstock class chose from a range of compounds from Dunlop’s KR109 front and KR108 rear ranges.

In the highly-competitive Superstock category, for which Dunlop is the exclusive tyre partner, #25 Team Étoile BMW claimed pole position in Friday’s qualifying session in only its second EWC appearance.

On Saturday, it was the #111 Team Aviobike Aprilia that emerged victorious in the race, demonstrating enduring tyre performance in the hot summer conditions. The #111 Aprilia team of Kevin Calia, Luca Bernardi and Francesco Cocco took the lead after just five minutes of racing, setting the pace for the remainder of the gruelling 8 hour race and beating experienced teams to claim its maiden Superstock victory and finish a remarkable seventh overall. #55 National Motos Honda were its closest competitors and ultimately finished second in class, the veteran French team crossing the line one lap behind the Aprilia.

In the open competition Formula EWC category, leading Dunlop teams impressed with their performance and determination, despite challenges that ultimately prevented the front-running teams from challenging for victory.

Starting from fourth on the grid, the Dunlop-equipped #37 BMW Motorrad World Endurance Team stormed into first place on the opening lap of the race, demonstrating the quick-warm up performance of Dunlop’s proven range of slick KR racing tyres.

In the following laps, the pace-setting BMW traded places, the team determined to replicate the success they achieved in Spa two years ago. After a crash delay and subsequent oil leak, the BMW team fell back in the standings, but each of the BMW team’s new lap records came at the end of each stint, underlining the enduring pace and durability of the Dunlop KR range of tyres over long race distances.

The local #99 KM99 Yamaha team qualified in seventh position on Friday but also benefited from the quick warm-up of its Dunlop KR racing slicks to climb into fourth place on the first lap. Having maintained this position throughout the opening segment of the race, the #99 team faced disruption that caused it to fall to P37. However, the team’s grit and determination enabled it to recover more than 20 positions, ultimately finishing P16 overall.

David Auerbacher, International Motorcycle Race Event Leader, Dunlop Motorcycle Europe, commented: “Congratulations to all the Dunlop-equipped teams for showing determination in what is a challenging circuit to race at. Spa-Francorchamps is a track that can be harsh on tyres, but each team demonstrated the consistency and performance of Dunlop’s range of KR racing slicks. The Dunlop KR range is renowned for its wide operating window and quick warm-up characteristics, and we are proud that both of these attributes have been proven in today’s race.”

The next round of the FIM Endurance World Championship is the Suzuka 8 Hours on 21 July.


www.dunlopmotorcycle.co.uk