Honda Endurance Racing aiming for victory at the Oschersleben 8 Hours
This weekend the third and penultimate round of the 2015 Endurance World Championship takes place at Oschersleben in Germany. The Honda Endurance Racing team is aiming for victory after winning the race last year with its trio of endurance experts, Julien Da Costa, Freddy Foray and Sébastien Gimbert aboard the Honda CBR1000RR Fireblade SP.
The previous round saw the Honda Racing squad finish in seventh place and was one of three permanent EWC teams to finish in the top-ten. The crew and riders know what it takes to win at Oschersleben after leading last year’s race from the first lap to the chequered flag, so are even more determined to prove their winning capability again.
Qualifying for the Oschersleben 8 Hours takes place on Thursday and Friday, with the race starting at 12:00 (GMT+1) on Saturday 22 August.
For all the latest news on the team in real time follow @HondaRacingCBR on Twitter.
Oschersleben 8 Hours schedule
Thursday 20 August
11:30-13:30 Free Practice
15:30-16:50 Qualifying 1 (20 minutes per rider)
Friday 21 August
15:10-16:30 Qualifying 2 (20 minutes per rider)
19:30-21:00 Pit walk
Saturday 22 August
09:00-09:45 Warm up
12.00 Race start
20.00 Race ends
Julien Da Costa
We are confident after Suzuka’s positive outing which was very important for us. We won the Oschersleben race last year so this makes us feel confident as well. I really hope that we’ll be able to fight for the victory; the CBR performs well at Oschersleben, we have all the assets to be able to win this race, so now we just have to make it happen.
Freddy Foray
I am really looking forward to racing again because we don’t have many races in the Endurance World championship and I miss it a lot between races. Suzuka was tough but positive for the team and now I’m just looking forward to getting back on top at Oschersleben. We won there last year, so we hope we’ll be able to get our first victory of the year again.
Sébastien Gimbert
Winning last year at Oschersleben is promising for this year – it helps us arrive with a bit more confidence. Last year things went really well, we had a great race and what we all want for Oschersleben this year is to enjoy renewed success. At Suzuka the CBR was really reliable, our last two races went pretty well, now I think we have to demonstrate our competitiveness in the world championship and to try to be in front of the other permanent teams in order to score more points. Oschersleben is a track that I like a lot and where I’ve always been successful because it suits well my riding style. One of our strongest points remains our rider line-up, the Fireblade is great and I think we’re on the right track to win again this year.
More, from a pres release issued by BMW Motorrad France Team Penz13.com:
BMW Motorrad France Team Penz13.com ready to fight back at home race
Oschersleben, Germany. The German Speedweek – 8 hours of Germany – are approaching this upcoming weekend and with it the third round of the 2015 FIM Endurance World Championship. In coincidence this event is the home race for the near Leipzig based BMW Motorrad France Team Penz13.com squad of former racer Rico Penzkofer. Taking over the handle bars of the team’s BMW S 1000 RR will be freshly re-crowned German Superbike Champion Markus Reiterberger (GER), Belgian Bastien Mackels and the Spaniard Pedro Vallcaneras. With this trio the line-up will be the same as in the previous season successful outing at the Magdeburger Börde.
The etropolis Motorsport Arena Oschersleben was the scene when Reiterberger, Mackels and Vallcaneras made history in the 2014 edition of the German Speedweek by putting the Superstock BMW S 1000 RR on Pole Position for the 8 hours of Germany, outpacing all the tuned EWC-spec bikes. It was the first time in the history of the FIM Endurance World Championship that a Superstock bike was heading the field after the Qualifying sessions.
The race proved to be no minor successful: Reiterberger, Mackels and Vallcaneras brought their Penz13.com bike home in fourth place overall and winning the Superstock category. The squad missed the overall podium after 8 hours by only 20.856 seconds.
Also the 2013 season was a successful Oschersleben-outing for the Penz13.com squad: Jason Pridmore (USA), Vallcaneras and Brit Steve Mercer crossed the finish line after 8 hours as winners of the Superstock class, so Reiterberger, Mackels and Vallcaneras made it two in row for the squad last year.
This year’s season has seen the step up to the EWC class of the FIM Endurance World Championship and the formation of the new BMW Motorrad France Team Penz13.com. So far the season has had it’s up’s and down’s: At the season kick-off with the legendary 24 hours of Le Mans Reiterberger, Gareth Jones (AUS) and Vallcaneras came home in seventh whilst at the 8 hours of Suzuka, the second round of the championship, held in Japan, was forced to retire. Now everything is set to bounce back at the home event of the team with a travel time of less than two hours for most of the crew.
BMW Motorrad France Team Penz13.com’s Markus Reiterberger had plenty of reasons to celebrate after returning from the 8 hours of Suzuka: The Bavarian rider went on to race the German Superbike Championship (IDM) taking 3 out of 4 wins at Schleiz and Assen (NED) and second spot, handing him the Championship title with one round still to go. Reiterberger so far took 11 out of 14 wins with his worst results being three second place finishes.
The race will be broadcasted live by Eurosport 2 in Germany and most other countries.
Markus Reiterberger
Rider
“It’s nice to head to Oschersleben now for our home race in the Endurance World Championship. We’ve been quite successful there last year but we know that we have stepped up to the premier class of Endurance racing so we know it will be more difficult to repeat that. But I am confident as we have been having a good season for our first year in this class so far and even in Suzuka we showed that we are having everything we need to mix it at the front. Bastien, Pedro and myself obviously know the track of Oschersleben very well, the teams knows what to do, the BMW S 1000 RR is working there and the Pirelli tires as well, so we have everything set for a good weekend.”
Bastien Mackels
Rider
“I am looking forward to race at Oschersleben with my BMW Motorrad France Team Penz13.com again. We’ve put the disappointment of Suzuka behind us and I am roaring to make a good race at the team’s home race. 8 hours are more like a sprint race so everything has to run smoothly for you to come out on top. Last year’s edition fills us with confidence, even though we know it’s quite a lot harder to repeat that results in the EWC class. Anyways, I am highly motivated and I am looking forward to be on our EWC BMW S 1000 RR together with Markus and Pedro again.”
Pedro Vallcaneras
Rider
“I am happy to be back with BMW Motorrad France Team Penz13.com and to go to Oschersleben. Of course last year’s results are a high motivation for all of us but is also raises the bar in terms of pressure – not only because we are now in the EWC category, but also because it’s our teams home race and they once again expect many fans to turn up – which is nice for sure. We can be confident as we did a good race at Le Mans already and we have been successful at Oschersleben the past two years by winning the Superstock class. Let’s aim high once more.”
Rico Penzkofer
Team Principal
“We didn’t have too much time after Suzuka to get the bikes prepared for Oschersleben so our Crew Chief Gordon Unger along with our mechanics, such as Frank Ittner and Tino Stingl, had to do some night shifts back in our workshop. But for sure we are prepared and are aiming high as always. On paper Suzuka for sure was a disappointment for us but we took the positives from it – we’ve been amongst the fastest permanent EWC teams in all sessions and even in the race until the problems turned up. That is Endurance racing for you sometimes but there is no need to think about the past, just about the future and we have everything set for our home race. 2013 and 2014 we couldn’t have asked for more there as we took two Superstock wins in a row and we had the history-making Qualifying last year with the pole position. We know our BMW S 1000 RR is more than good to run at the front of the pack as are the Pirelli tires. There is no need to have any doubts that Markus, Bastien and Pedro will be fast here, so we just need to hope we have got some luck on our side as well.”
More, from a press release issued by Yamaha Racing:
Yamaha Continues Endurance Quest at Oschersleben
With the spectacular race at Suzuka Circuit fresh in their memories, Yamaha sets out to once again display the incredible potential of the YZF-R1 at the third 2015 FIM Endurance World Championship round held at the Motorsport Arena Oschersleben, Germany, on 19-22 August.
Yamaha’s regular endurance teams, reigning World Champions GMT94 Yamaha and Monster Energy Yamaha Austria Racing Team (YART), are ready to take center stage at the 18th edition of the German Speedweek this Saturday for the eight-hour race.
GMT Yamaha used their vast experience to the fullest at the previous round when they rode their Yamaha YZF-R1 from sixteenth on the grid to a hard-fought sixth place. Having moved up to second in the championship standings, only 29 points from the leaders, the French team is ready to raise the level for the upcoming challenge.
Since Suzuka, GMT94 Yamaha has completed several tests at Circuit Carole, which has similar corners to Oschersleben. With 35 points up for grabs at the Oschersleben 8 Hours, they are still very much in contention and have their eyes on the prize. They worked tirelessly on improving the electronics and maximizing their fuel consumption to be fully prepared for the battle for the championship title at the next heat.
GMT riders David Checa, Kenny Foray and Mathieu Gines hope to replicate their success from last year’s race, when they piled on the pressure for their rivals and speeded to a well-deserved second place, creating a solid lead in the championship.
The Monster Energy Yamaha Austria Racing Team (YART) also showed a strong race pace at Suzuka, lapping as the fastest team on Pirelli tyres until they were forced to exit the race early. For the next round riders Broc Parkes, Sheridan Morais and Iván Silva have obtained a ‘nothing to lose’ mentality and are eager to get the team back on the German podium for the first time since 2013.
In 1995 the idea of creating the Motopark Oschersleben started and was opened on July 25th, 1997. The Arena has grown by the years and developed in a famous and unique racing area, leading to the re-naming in June 2015 to the Motorsport Arena Oschersleben, which doesn’t have the word ‘arena’ in it for nothing. At this unique track the visitors can enjoy the racing action from stands that are placed six and eight metres above the 3.696 kilometres long track, measuring only 11-14 metres in width. It is the perfect place to experience endurance racing from up close, especially in the north-west area from which spectators look over large sections of the track.
David Checa – GMT94 Yamaha rider
“Oschersleben is a special race, because it’s only eight hours long. Last year we finished second, but our target this year is to win the race and the championship. I love Oschersleben, and so do my teammates, and usually the bike is good there. We have tested a special specification to see if we could further improve, but we have a good basis from Suzuka that we know is okay. My leg injury from the start of the season has healed perfectly, it just that I had a crash in the test in Suzuka and that caused a lot of pain in my shoulder during the race, but my physiotherapist did a good job taping everything so I could ride through the pain. My leg and arm are now okay, I feel a 100% fit. We have to set up the bike as good as possible to have a chance at winning the race.”
Christophe Guyot – GMT94 Yamaha Team Manager
“We did a very strong race at Suzuka, but Oschersleben is very specific. The team is very excited to go there and the riders are feeling optimistic. On one side, we know there’s still a lot to improve so that’s why it’s hard to say that we are confident, but on the other side, the bike already has a very high level and having even more things to try is exciting. We have worked a lot on the electronics and that’s a point on which we will continue to work. We have also improved the tank capacity, which we expect to be even better for Bol d’Or. Oschersleben is a short track, it’s difficult to overtake there and there is no long straight so it’s very physically demanding for the riders, who have to stay fully concentrated and don’t have a moment to relax. We also don’t know what the track is like riding with Dunlop, so we have to understand that as quick as possible. For this reason we still have some questions marks, but that’s no reason not to be competitive. To be on the podium shouldn’t be too difficult, I hope, but we would like to win the race. I think that it’s possible; if we find good grip and the right set up, the potential of the bike is a 100% okay to win.”
Broc Parkes – Monster Energy Yamaha Austria Racing Team (YART) rider
“I’m looking forward to it. Oschersleben is a race that I’ve done for the last two years. It’s a track that I normally enjoy, but most of all I’m looking forward to riding with YART again. I have had good experiences with them and a good past. At Suzuka we had good speed, but we had an issue during the race, so I’m hoping that we can try to be competitive here and get the win for the team.”
Mandy Kainz – Monster Energy Yamaha Austria Racing Team (YART) Team Manager
“We are arriving with the same line up as we had in Suzuka. We want to show the potential of our bike and team’s performance in Oschersleben, which is more or less our home race. We have nothing to lose in the championship after two DNFs. It’s impossible to reach the top of the ranking now, so we are just focusing on reaching the podium and this is our target; to race without any strategies.”
More, from a press release issued by Prime Factors Racing:
PRIME FACTORS RACING TRIO EYEING PODIUM AS THE ENDURANCE WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP HEADS TO OSCHERSLEBEN
18th August 2015 – Following a successful test at Oulton Park last week, the Prime Factors Racing trio of Gary Mason, Barry Burrell and Stefan Capella are heading to BMW’s home round at Oschersleben in Germany, eager to put their S1000RR on the podium.
With 2015 marking Prime Factors Racing’s debut season in the Endurance World Championship Superstock category, they enjoyed a strong opening round at Le Mans in April. Being the debut Le Mans 24 hours for the team, it was the first time Gary Mason, Barry Burrell and Stefan Capella raced at night but all three quickly adapted to the rigors of this prestigious event. Despite some mechanical issues throughout the race, the team secured an impressive 21st overall and eleventh in class.
Although the Oschersleben eight hour race is considerably shorter than Le Mans, the demands are no less rigorous as the 2.28 mile circuit is incredibly physical, with the bike spending a large amount of time leant over through corners. With very little time for a rest during each lap, it can be a mentally draining stint for each rider too as concentration has to be at a constant, due to the changing track conditions – emphasised even further should the event be wet.
The team has used the interim period between Le Mans and Oschersleben to further enhance the Prime Factors Racing package and completed a successful test at the circuit. Signing former Endurance and TT winner Steve Plater as Team Manager, they recently enjoyed a successful test at Oulton Park as part of the Bahnstormer BMW Customer Track Day. The team has also unveiled its ambitious plans for 2016, including a move up to the Superbike category in the Endurance World Championship and plans to enter the North West 200 and Isle of Man TT.
Although unable to attend Oschersleben due to prior commitments, Team Manager Steve Plater knows what it takes to win there, “Oschersleben is a truly unique circuit, but is incredibly demanding both physically and mentally. However, all three riders have now ridden the circuit so they know what it takes and I’m confident that with the package we have that they can challenge for victory in the Superstock class.
It will be interesting to see if any of the IDM Championship contenders take part as they usually throw a spanner in the works! The BMW’s will certainly be strong though and hopefully we can put the S1000RR on the podium at its home round.”
Team Principal of Prime Factors Racing, Bruce Charman added “After our success at Le Mans, I’m really excited to see how the team will do this weekend at Oschersleben. We’ve taken some big steps since our last race and I believe we can certainly be challenging for top honours in the Superstock class. We are looking forward to a new strategy for the eight hours, of course every event we do is a ‘first’!
Oschersleben is going to be another exciting new adventure for the team but we’re ready to take that next step forward and push at the front.”