A new trophy on FIM EWC for privateers

Privateers have always been part of motorbike endurance DNA. To encourage teams which do not benefit from direct support from bike manufacturers, Eurosport Events, local event promoters and Dunlop are launching the “EWC Dunlop Independent Trophy”. Throughout the FIM EWC 2016 season, 300 000 € [$326,730] prize money will be allocated to teams registered to the “EWC Dunlop Independent Trophy”.

Any team without direct manufacturer support can register at Eurosport Events, open to Formula EWC, Superstock and Supertwin categories. The only conditions are to commit to run full season except Suzuka 8 Hours, and run Dunlop tyres. Eurosport Events, promoter of the FIM EWC, will select teams meeting those criteria.

Prize money will be distributed at each FIM EWC round. “EWC Dunlop Independent Trophy” winner at 24 Heures Motos of Le Mans will win 13 000 € [$14,158], whilst prize money will go to top 20 privateers.

10 000 € [$10,891] will be allocated to the winner of “EWC Dunlop Independent Trophy” at Portimao and Oschersleben. At Suzuka, first privateer will win 15 000 € [$16,336] where the top 14 in the class will be rewarded.

François Ribeiro, Head for Eurosport Events

“10 months after we became FIM EWC promoter, we are putting in place what looks very important to the championship: allocating support to teams who need it most, privateer teams. Without them, top teams would not shine, privateers are part of endurance DNA. Together with each EWC event promoter and Dunlop, we decided to centralize and focus our team support onto a new trophy dedicated to private teams: the EWC Dunlop Independent Trophy. Any private team can register, as long as we judge there is no bike manufacturer support behind. It will be open to endurance teams who wish to run three EWC events in Europe, but also to Japanese or Asian teams who would commit to run EWC events outside Suzuka. EWC private teams will run for substantial prize money and we keep the door open to another partner to grow that prize money, and work with Eurosport Events to develop the championship”.

Xavier Fraipont, Managing Director, Dunlop Moto and Motorsport Europe

“The FIM Endurance World Championship has been a successful proving ground for Dunlop Moto technology, with ten Endurance World Championship titles from the last twelve being won on Dunlop. Therefore, Independent Trophy teams can be confident that they are getting the support from the most experienced tyre company in endurance racing. We are excited about Eurosport’s plans for expanding and promoting the championship, and believe the EWC Dunlop Independent Trophy will be a very attractive proposition for privateer and dealer teams wanting to compete on the world stage”

Registration request: [email protected]