Unpredictable weather and a fast-drying track turned the 8 Hours of Spa Motos into a tyre strategy-focused second round of the FIM Endurance World Championship earlier this month.
This is how the Dunlop-equipped teams used the full versatility of the company’s KR range to stay competitive throughout the Belgian event despite ever-changing grip levels.
All teams in the Superstock-based FIM Endurance World Cup and FIM Endurance World Trophy for Production machinery, which are supplied by Dunlop exclusively, plus the six Dunlop-equipped entries in the open-competition Formula EWC class, chose from the wide range of KR compounds.
Teams selected the KR109 front and KR108 rear ranges in dry conditions, while KR191 fronts, alongside KR393 wet or KR398i intermediate rears, were available for the wet weather. The fast warm-up, wide operating window and reliable feedback of the Dunlop tyres proved essential on a damp track, allowing riders to push in constantly evolving conditions.
David Auerbacher, International Motorcycle Race Event Leader, Dunlop Motorcycle Europe, said: “Congratulations to all the Dunlop-equipped teams for delivering exceptional performance in what is one of the most challenging circuits on the calendar. The wet conditions, fast-drying track as well as sudden weather changes demanded complete confidence in tire performance, so we’re proud that our Dunlop tires once again delivered the performance and stability needed to compete at the front of all categories.”
Who won or shone for Dunlop in the EWC 8 Hours of Spa Motos
After Champion-MRP-Tecmas claimed the Superstock pole, Wójcik Racing Team held seventh overall during the opening part of the race by showcasing the confidence found in the KR range.
With the first sector soaked and the second sector nearly dry at one point, Champion-MRP-Tecmas managed sector-by-sector grip changes with precision, relying on Dunlop’s consistency across damp and dry asphalt.
The BMW-powered outfit emerged victorious in Superstock in eighth overall with Team 18 Pompiers Igol CMS Motostore second in class ahead of National Motos Honda FMA, the title-winning outfit from 2024.
Green Team Lycée Sainte Claire made it back-to-back Production category pole position as Team Super Moto Racing came out on top in the race for the second event running followed by ARTEC #199 and Green Team Lycée Sainte Claire.
Hampered by a technical issue at the start, ERC Endurance recovered to run as high as second before taking the chequered flag in sixth overall and in Formula EWC.
ELF Marc VDS Racing Team/KM99 lost vital ground when its Yamaha ran out of fuel on track around the two-hour mark before recovering to finish ninth in Formula EWC and 12th overall. Motobox Kremer Racing powered by 123 battled through from 26th in the grid to finish P15 and 10th in class with Mana-Au Competition climbing from P29 to P16 and 11th in Formual EWC. Maco Racing finished 27th (14th in Formula EWC) with Team LRP Poland 28th overall and 15th in class.
Original Source [ FIM EWC ]
