Tati Team AVA6 Racing’s 24 Heures Motos brought “satisfaction and frustration” after electronic issues triggered its early exit from round one of the FIM Endurance World Championship.
Starting from a fine third place as the top independent team following a charging performance in qualifying, Randy Krummenacher excelled in the wet conditions to complete his opening stint in sixth position.
But the Honda-powered squad’s challenge would come unstuck when its first planned pitstop ended lasting more than 20 minutes, leaving Hugo Clère second to last as he started his first stint.
Minor mechanical issues forced Clère to stop twice with the problems continuing for new recruit Martin Renaudin.
Having lost more than 40 laps in the pits, the decision was taken to retire after four frustrating hours.
“There's satisfaction but also frustration,” Team Manager Patrick Enjolras said. “The whole week was good. We were always well placed and in contention with the factory teams. Our third place on the starting grid was our best qualifying position since we joined the EWC. We’re proving that we’re legitimate in the EWC and we could make a difference.
“In the dry, we knew we had a card to play. We wanted to show this progress. But with the rain, the technical electronic issues piled up. Our riders were very skilful and very intelligent. In the first few laps, they never chased the clock, but their lap times were always on pace with our direct competitors.
“Unlike many other teams, they managed to avoid all the pitfalls on the track. They stayed on their wheels. No crashes. When Randy finished his first stint, he was in the lead group. But after this stint, with the series of long pit stops, the relegation to the bottom of the standings and the cumulative deficit of more than 41 laps in the first hours of racing forced us to make the decision to retire.”
Original Source [ FIM EWC ]
