September 12th, 2024.



Dunlop is preparing for an exciting FIM Endurance World Championship (EWC) season finale at Circuit Paul Ricard this weekend, where it will support leading teams in both the Formula EWC and Superstock categories competing for the race win and championship titles. Five teams are still in contention to clinch the FIM Endurance World Cup in the Dunlop-exclusive Superstock category.

There are 28 bikes from six manufacturers set to fight for the honours in the highly competitive Dunlop Superstock category at the Bol d'Or, with five teams still in contention for the championship. National Motos Honda leads with a 53-point advantage, but 3ART Best of Bike, Chromeburner-RAC 41-Honda, 2024 newcomer Team Étoile, and 8 Hours of Spa class winners Aviobike by M2 Revo could still claim the title. With only a two-point gap separating second and fourth place and 65 points available this weekend, the final championship positions remain far from settled.

Dunlop will bring a total of 2,600 tyres to Le Castellet, supplying no fewer than 32 of the 45 entered bikes at Paul Ricard this weekend. Teams competing for the Dunlop Superstock Trophy and in the Formula EWC class will choose from a range of Dunlop slick racing tyres from its proven KR109 and KR108 ranges, designed to maximise both single-lap pace and long-distance race strategies. Superstock teams will have two front and two rear tyres to choose from, while Formula EWC teams have two front and four rears, including a supersoft qualifying tire on the rear. A range of full wet and intermediate tyres are also available in both classes in case of rain.

This year, Dunlop’s support will extend beyond the main two categories, also offering service to teams racing in the Bol d’Argent and Bol d’Or Classic support classes. Competitors in these two categories will benefit from Dunlop’s renowned KR range and D213 GP Pro slicks, providing the same performance and durability enjoyed by teams in the top classes.

Competing at the highest level in the Endurance World Championship provides Dunlop with valuable track time to conduct active research and development to test the next generation of tires in a highly demanding environment, and where there is a free choice of tire brands amongst Formula EWC competitors.

Dunlop-equipped Formula EWC title contenders still in the running
After claiming a resounding victory at the 100th-anniversary Bol d’Or two years ago, Dunlop returns to Paul Ricard this weekend aiming to replicate that success. Among the four Dunlop-equipped Formula EWC teams vying for the overall win, one remains in contention for the championship: long-term partners BMW Motorrad World Endurance Team, currently sitting third in the standings. The KM99 team will also be hoping to replicate their impressive performance at last year’s Bol d’Or, where they broke into the top ten within the first hour and held that position for most of the race.

The Formula EWC category is one of the only classes in international motorcycle racing that still features open tyre competition, and Dunlop is proud to be the choice of leading teams. With only 55 points separating the top four teams and up to 65 points available at the Bol d’Or, the championship race remains highly competitive.

Wim Van Achter, Motorsport Manager, Dunlop Motorcycle Europe, commented: “We’re excited to return to Paul Ricard with strong competition in both the Superstock-based FIM Endurance World Cup and Formula EWC class. The Bol d’Or is a fantastic opportunity to showcase the performance and durability of Dunlop’s KR racing slicks, especially with multiple teams still in championship contention.

“This season marks our third year as the exclusive supplier to the Superstock category. The strength of the current Dunlop KR range is a testament to our engineers' work, underlined by the fact that top Formula EWC teams continue to choose the same tyres as Superstock teams. We’re ready for an exciting season finale and to support our teams in their pursuits for victory.”

On-track action begins at Circuit Paul Ricard with a two hour free practice session on Thursday September 12, followed by two qualifying sessions on Thursday evening and Friday morning. This year’s 24-hour Bol d’Or race will start on Saturday 14 September at 15:00 CET.


www.dunlopmotorcycle.co.uk