On Saturday 4 June, at 1 pm, a new page will be written in the book of Belgian motorsport. For the first time since 2003, the FIM EWC Championship returns to Spa-Francorchamps.
Between 1973 and 2003, the 24 Hours of Liège was a race on the calendar alongside the Bol d’Or and 24 Hours of Le Mans. But as the track, while considered one of the most beautiful in the world, was literally overtaken by ever faster engines, it disappeared from the calendar, stripping Belgium of any form of world road racing championship. After immense efforts, both financially and in terms of infrastructure, Spa-Francorchamps will once again take its place high in the motorsport firmament on June 4, with the festive return of the 24H EWC Motos.
Belgian interests
Belgian interests are very high in this regard. Then of course we are talking about Xavier Simeon, along with teammates Sylvain Guintoli and Greg Black reigning World Champion in the EWC with the Yoshimura SERT Motul Suzuki Racing; plus winner of this season’s 24 Hours of Le Mans and thus again World Cup leader.
Siméon: “I grew up in the paddock of Spa while my father raced here and won twice. Since I haven’t raced here much myself, my home advantage will therefore rely mainly on the crowd, who I hope will show up en masse. Spa is obviously a mythical track, but a great challenge for us drivers because the track is so fast and you never know what the weather will do. Now that we have another world-class event in Belgium, the interest of the public is hopefully there too. I guarantee a great race, which will be a solid pill for us drivers. I expect it to be the hardest race of the season. So please come and encourage me and the other Belgians!”
Another team competing for the marbles is it BMW Motorrad World Endurance Team† That has to do without Belgian drivers, but is led by team boss Werner Daemen and Crew Chief Steven Casaer. No other team has tested so much at Spa-Francorchamps in recent years, so they are definitely among the favourites. A role that was confirmed as the team set the fastest time of all in the last official test with 2’20.344”. Daemen: “The test went well, yes. We clocked the fastest time, but our race pace was also very good, even on tires with quite a few laps on the counter. It was very hot during the test, so we have to see what the weather will do during the race, but we are ready. And after Le Mans, we did indeed provide extra protection for the radiator against stones…”
Encourage Belgians!
Belgium has always had a solid reputation for Endurance riders. In addition to Xavier Siméon (who is the only Belgian to enter the EWC class), these compatriots want to maintain that reputation in the SST Superstock class:
No. 24 Loris Cresson & Vincent Lonbois – BMRT 3D Maxxess Nevers
No. 27 Gian Mertens – TRT 27 / Bazar La Becane
No. 34 Côme Geenen & Nicky De Wit & Yan Ancia – JMA Racing Action Bike
No. 56 Arnaud De Kimpe
Bastien Mackels unfortunately has to cancel after a broken foot in IDM race, and the MotoTech Team, although registered, has also declined to participate. Motorcyclist house rider Bram Lambrechts will join the Maco Racing team as reserve driver (green armband).
In the European Handy Bridgestone Cup, a championship for drivers with disabilities, Christophe Bernard at the start; who, after a road accident and a long rehabilitation, was able to race with the help of the Marc VDS Racing Team, known from Moto2 and Moto3. In the sidecars it is mainly looking forward to the performances of Cedric and Arnaud Pierard.
PROGRAM FRIDAY 3 JUNE
9am: FIM Endurance WC 2nd Qualifier (Drivers: Blue)
9.30am: FIM Endurance WC 2nd Qualifying (Drivers: Yellow)
10am: FIM Endurance WC 2nd Qualifying (Drivers: Red)
10.30am: FIM Endurance WC 2nd Qualifying (Drivers: Green (Reserve))
11am: 4H or Spa Classic Warm Up
2pm: European Handy Bridgestone Cup Race 1
14.45: FIM Sidecar World Championship Race 1
4 pm: 4H of Spa Classic Race
PROGRAM SATURDAY 4 JUNE
9am: FIM Endurance WC Warm-Up
10am: FIM Sidecar World Championship Warm-Up
10:40 AM: European Handy Bridgestone Cup Race 2
11.25am: FIM Sidecar World Championship Race 2
13h: FIM Endurance WC Race
PROGRAM SUNDAY 5 JUNE
13h: FIM Endurance WC Finish
Tickets: 24hspamotos
Text Pieter Ryckaert Photography EWC/Teams
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