8 Heures d’Oschersleben : une manche décisive pour le titre ? / potentially decisive for the title

Troisième et avant-dernière épreuve du Championnat du monde d’Endurance (EWC), les 8 Heures d’Oschersleben se disputeront samedi 23 août 2014. Seulement sept points séparent le GMT 94 (Michelin) leader du général du SRC Kawasaki, deuxième. Une victoire en Allemagne pourrait donner un avantage primordial à l’une des deux équipes avant d’aborder les 24 Heures Moto au mois de septembre.

Une neuvième place lors des dernières 8 Heures de Suzuka a permis au GMT 94 de prendre les commandes du classement provisoire. La Yamaha-Michelin n°94 confiée à David Checa, Kenny Foray et Mathieu Gines compte sept points d’avance sur le vainqueur du Bol d’Or, SRC Kawasaki.

Participant uniquement aux deux manches françaises, le team SRC Kawasaki a décidé de s’aligner au départ des 8 Heures d’Oschersleben avant de devenir équipe permanente pour les trois prochaines saisons. La Kawasaki n°11 sera emmenée par Grégory Leblanc, Matthieu Lagrive et Fabien Foret.

L’objectif est clairement affiché du côté du GMT 94 comme le souligne Christophe Guyot, team-manager. « Nous allons tout faire pour devancer le SRC Kawasaki. On souhaiterait arriver au Mans avec une avance suffisante pour viser la victoire au Mans ». Mais pour atteindre son but, le GMT 94 devra également affronter d’autres équipes capables de rivaliser pour la victoire.

Vainqueur en 2012 et 2013, le SERT, qui retrouvera Vincent Philippe aux côtés d’Erwan Nigon et Anthony Delhalle, pointe à la dixième place au classement général avec 23 points. Les Champions du monde en titre comptent 39 points de retard sur le leader. La Suzuki n°1 devra s’imposer si elle souhaite conserver ses chances d’être titrée une 14^ème fois au Mans dans un mois.

Performante mais en manque de réussite depuis le début de la saison, Honda Racing (Da Costa, Freddy Foray et Gimbert), 13^ème avec 19 points, cumule un abandon au Bol d’Or et une 33^èmeplace à Suzuka suite à des problèmes électroniques. La Honda n°111 tentera de concrétiser par un premier podium.

L’équipe Bis du YART, quatrième à Suzuka, sera également au départ des 8 Heures d’Oschersleben en alignant deux pilotes de MotoGP, Broc Parkes et Michael Laverty. L’an dernier, Parkes avait signé le meilleur tour en qualifications et en course.

D’autres équipes sont également à surveiller, Team Bolliger Team Switzerland (Kawasaki), troisième au classement provisoire, le Team Motors Events April Moto (Suzuki), nouveau venu en Formula EWC qui pointe déjà dans le Top 5 mondial ou encore National Motos (Honda) et le Team R2CL (Suzuki).

Les 8 Heures d’Oschersleben marquent le retour de la catégorie Superstock. Le Junior Team LMS Suzuki est en tête de la Coupe du monde devant Yamaha Viltaïs Experiences (Michelin) et l’équipe allemande Penz13.com, vainqueur de la catégorie en 2013.

Les essais libres débuteront jeudi 21 août à partir de 11h45, à suivre en live surwww.motoracinglive.com

The third and penultimate round of the 2014 FIM Endurance World Championship (EWC) is the 8 Hours of Oschersleben (Saturday, August 23). GMT 94 (Michelin), the provisional leader, is only seven points clear of second-placed SRC Kawasaki. Victory for either team in Germany would result in a handy advantage ahead of the year’s final clash at Le Mans in September.

Ninth place at the recent 8 Hours of Suzuka promoted GMT 94 to the top of the provisional standings and the N°94 Yamaha-Michelin (David Checa, Kenny Foray and Mathieu Gines) is currently seven points clear of the Bol d’Or winner SRC Kawasaki.

Although it initially planned to compete in the two French rounds only (Bol d’Or, Le Mans), SRC Kawasaki has decided to make the trip to Oschersleben before becoming a permanent team for the next three seasons. Its N°11 Kawasaki will be in the hands of Grégory Leblanc, Matthieu Lagrive and Fabien Foret.

GMT 94’s objective is to defend its position at the top of the table, as team boss Christophe Guyot explains: “We will do all we can to finish ahead of SRC Kawasaki. We want to have a sufficient lead going in to the 24 Heures Moto to be able to focus on winning at Le Mans.” To achieve that goal, however, GMT 94 will need to beat several other potential top finishers in Germany.

SERT, which won this race in 2012 and 2013, will be represented by Vincent Philippe, Erwan Nigon and Anthony Delhalle. It is currently 10^th in the championship with a score of 23 points, 39 points adrift of GMT 94. The defending champion’s N°1 Suzuki will consequently need to win if it wants to keep its chances of a 14^th world crown alive.

Meanwhile, Honda Racing (Da Costa/Freddy Foray/Gimbert) has been poorly rewarded for its potential so far this season. With 19 points to its name, it is 13^th overall after failing to finish the Bol d’Or and having to settle for 33^rd spot at Suzuka where it suffered from electronics-related gremlins. The N°111 Honda will be targeting its first podium finish at Oschersleben.

YART’s second bike, which came fourth in Japan, will also be in Germany, piloted by MotoGP riders Broc Parkes and Michael Laverty. Last year, Parkes posted the fastest laps in qualifying and the race.

The other leading teams of note will be Team Bolliger Team Switzerland (Kawasaki, third in the world championship), EWC newcomer Team Motors Events April Moto (Suzuki, provisionally fifth), National Motos (Honda) and Team R2CL (Suzuki).

The 8 Hours of Oschersleben will also see Superstock action resume. Junior Team LMS Suzuki provisionally tops of the World Cup standings, ahead of Yamaha Viltaïs Experiences (Michelin) and the class’s 2013 winner Penz13.com from Germany.

Free practice begins on Thursday, August 21, at 11:45am and you will be able to follow the action live at www.motoracinglive.com.

LEFT HAND CYCLES AGENT ORANGE

It’s been a few weeks since we’ve had a crazy European in The Shed, and now we have two. Welcome back Lex and Richard of Left Hand Cycles, who have produced some pretty interesting bikes, we’ve featured a few here. Renowned Dutch DJ Lars tracked the brothers down and requested they build him a bike. The brief; It must be a four stroke and the tank has to be bright orange, proper Haz-Chem orange.

Some searching later unearthed a decent Suzuki GS550 that was ripe for customising. The thought of this pair loose with an angle grinder is making me slightly uneasy, luckily the Suzuki’s subframe bore the brunt of their enthusiasm before being looped back together and sent off for black powder coat.

The loudest orange paint available was sourced for the tank, lets hope Lars has a Biltwell Gringo to match. The edging strip on the tank seams is a neat touch, covering up mass production techniques whilst introducing a subtle line. In fact it does look like the edge of a Gringo.

Clipons and vintage grips look just right on bikes of this period, and this example is no different.

The exhausts were made in house and painted matt black and according to Richard & Lex “Sounds like a haunting Bison, mean and full of anger!”

The minimal wiring loom was remade just in time for Lars to arrive for an inspection and announce he wanted indicators and a horn. Some soldering and swearing later (the guys have never added such adornments to their builds) later and his wish was granted, at least they match the paint.

Standard wheels are clad in old faithful friends, the Dunlop K70. A neat and flat Brat seat looks like its just long enough for Lars to offer a lift to a groupie post-gig, and as he’s Dutch (not THE Dutch) perhaps he could do shuttle runs to avoid anyone feeling left out. There’s even a small saddle bag for disco-biscuits and a couple of Redbulls.

So, there you have it, short and sweet; Left Hand Cycles Agent Orange, luckily less offensive than its namesake. Keep up with Lex & Richard on the Bike Shed or head over to their blog or Facebook page.

the bike shed

GARB: HOMEMADE

Flint and Tinder Chambray Shirt ($75). Flint and Tinder Raw Selvedge Denim ($125).Topo Designs Trip Pack ($89). Grab Bottle Opener ($16). Ye Olde Goat Soap ($14).Topo Designs Web Loop Belt ($42). Timex Trusty Timepiece ($175). Faribault Woolen Mill Co. Throw Blanket ($170). Case American Sod Buster Knife ($25).Danner Tramline Boots ($290). Ugmonk Slim Card Case ($46). Best Made Co. Ventile Cap ($64). Kelly Volcano Kettle ($115).

This edition of Garb is presented by our friends at Flint and Tinder.

noir et blanc