2019 8 Hours of Slovakia Ring
The Austrian Yamaha squad have won the 8 Hours of Slovakia Ring for the second year in a row. YART Yamaha’s Broc Parkes, Marvin Fritz and Niccolò Canepa never lost the lead on their way to victory but had a hectic battle with Honda Endurance Racing over the first six-hours.
Broc Parkes – YART Yamaha Official EWC Team
“It is an awesome result. I actually crashed on Tuesday and hurt my shoulder and elbow but I was able to do one stint. I felt ok, but Mandy decided to be safe and Nicò and Marvin had good pace to continue. I’m happy because with my qualifying lap I was fastest, and with my injuries I was happy just to ride the bike. It’s an awesome result for the team, a big thanks to them, and to my teammates for a great job.”
Mandy Kainz – YART Yamaha Official EWC Team Manager
“This result is fantastic, we couldn’t be happier today with the efforts of the team and the reward it has given us. Broc was able to make a good stint, but we chose to not risk too much by him continuing after his injuries a few days ago. Both Marvin and Niccolò had great pace and were honestly unbeatable today. Our bike was performing brilliantly, so thank you to Yamaha, and especially to the team who worked hard to make sure we were first. This is the perfect way to move on from Le Mans, now the championship is interesting again, so we continue and see what we can achieve.”
A mistake by Randy De Puniet then allowed YART some clear air. Towards the end of the race, de Puniet went out on a full slick set-up, but again fell victim to the weather conditions. Losing rear grip, the #111 Fireblade flipped through the gravel and in true endurance style, the Frenchman returned the bike to the pits where the mechanics made a world class job in repairing the CBR1000RR, to send Gimbert out for the final stint. In the end the squad earned another 15 points finishing eighth, and are sixth in the World Championship.
Previous series leaders, and Le Mans 24 Hour victors, SRC Kawasaki France, were forced out of the race with engine problems. Team ERC-BMW Motorrad Endurance and Fany Gastro BMW Motorrad also withdrew due to mechanical problems. The factory Kawasaki’s withdrawal has thrown the FIM Endurance World Championship wide open, with three different winners in three races. Suzuki Endurance Racing Team now leads the provisional world standings.
On the F.C.C. TSR Honda France bike, Josh Hook, Freddy Foray and Mike Di Meglio climbed back up at lightning speed to take the 3rd step of the podium. The reigning World Endurance Champions was outright last after early brack problems had put them three laps behind the race leaders. The team regrouped to battle their way back up through the field, with Mike Di Meglio breaking the lap record along the way.
8 Hours of Slovakia Ring Results
- YART Yamaha
- SERT Suzuki +1 lap
- F.C.C. TSR +1 lap
- WEPOL Yamaha +3 laps
- VRD Igol Pierret Yamaha +3 laps
- Junior Team LMS Suzuki +5 laps (Superstock)
- BMRT 3D Maccio Kawasaki +5 laps (Superstock)
- Honda Enduranc Racing +6 laps
- Team 33 Coyote Kawasaki +6 laps (Superstock)
- Moto Ain Yamaha +6 laps (Superstock)
YART Yamaha
SERT Suzuki +1 lap
F.C.C. TSR +1 lap
FIM 2018-19 FIM Endurance World Championship Points
- Suzuki Endurance Racing Team – 113
- Team SRC Kawasaki France – 103
- WEPOL Racing – 99
- YART Yamaha – 87
- F.C.C. TSR Honda – 79
- Honda Endurance Racing – 75
- Bolliger Team Switzerland Kawasaki – 70
- GERT 56 by GS Yuasa BMW – 37
- VRD Igol Pierret Experiences Yamaha – 32
- 3ART Moto Team 95 Yamaha – 27
Next race on the EWC calendar
8 Hours of Oschersleben in Germany on 9 June
Source: MCNews.com.au