The Endurance World Championship (EWC) is one of the sternest tests of man and two-wheeled machine, so much so that a single race can cover more distance than an entire season of a traditional road racing category such as MotoGP (21 races).

Next weekend, 15-16 April, sees the 2023 EWC season start with the 24 Heures Motos at Le Mans, the two-wheel counterpart to the famous 24 Heures du Mans car race. In 2022, the winner completed 840 laps, which equated to 3,515.4 kilometres of flat-out racing.

So what is required to tackle EWC? 

Grit, determination, physical and mental strength, three riders (plus a reserve), a dependable team and a reliable machine.

In 2023, seven teams will compete aboard the Honda CBR1000RR-R Fireblade SP – two in the premier Formula EWC category, and five in the Superstock category.

In Formula EWC, the machines look exactly like the homologated production models but performance modifications are permitted to areas such as front forks, damper, swing-arm, brakes, radiator and exhaust can be modified. Teams are also permitted to work on increasing engine performance. All bikes feature a quick wheel change system to help ensure faster pit stops.

In Superstock, the bikes are almost identical to production models. Limited engine modifications are permitted (injector jets and fuel mapping, clutch reinforcement, a different exhaust silencer, etc.). Wheels must remain as homologated, so teams need a good wheel change strategy during pit stops.

Both classes have a weight limit of 175kg, but are easy to tell apart on track – Formula EWC Fireblades have black number plates (and white headlamps when it gets dark) whilst the Superstock machines feature red number plates and yellow headlamps.

Fuel tanks in both classes are modified to a maximum capacity of 24 litres. Pit stops are limited to four mechanics plus one refueller, so managing tyre changes, refuelling, and whatever mechanical maintenance may be required needs to be a slick and well-practiced operation.

Extra personnel can be deployed if more extensive repairs are required for example after a crash, but the bike must be brought inside the pit box before any work is undertaken.

The longer the race and therefore the challenge, the greater the rewards too in the hunt for the Championship crown: there are 30 points on offer for the winner in a race of 8 hours of fewer, rising to 35 for a race between 8 and 12 hours, and 40 points for anything over 12 hours. On top of that, for a 24-hour race an additional 10 points are awarded to the leader at the 8-hour mark and another 10 points to whomever is leading after 16 hours.

The 2023 EWC season comprises three iconic 24-hour races at Le Mans, France; Spa, Belgium and the Bol d’Or, France. Round three is the equally famous Suzuka 8 Hours, at which in 2022 Honda scored its 28^th victory.

Where did it all start?

Honda have a long and successful history in Endurance racing. When Honda took the decision to return to international endurance racing, HERT (Honda Endurance Racing Team) was formed in November 1975. Experienced engineer Michihiko Aika was chosen as a Director and told to "simply win" by the vice-president of Honda, Kihachiro Kawashima. No pressure.

Aika came to the decision that the team should start from an absolute scratch, and so all the mechanics and designers were chosen from the younger generation who had no experience in racing. Their aim was to win the 1976 Bol d'Or 24 hours and to grasp the title of the European Endurance Championship. The first step was to race in Zandvoort 600km in Holland on the 25th of April. There were just six months to design and build the new racing machine.

The CB750FOUR was the engine chosen for development for the new racing machine and the quickly-made RCB1000 racers were rented out one each to local affiliate teams, Honda France and Honda U.K. 

The Zandvoort 600km race took place on the 25th of April under unusually cold spring weather. On the fourth lap, Honda France took the lead, and went on to take victory by two laps. Throughout 1976, Honda won seven races from eight, including four 1-2 finishes, to take the championship title in the first year. 

More recently, Honda France are still enjoying success with the F.C.C. TSR Honda France team as 2022 FIM EWC Teams Champion and Riders Champions, and also 2017-2018 Teams Champion and Manufacturers Champion.

The 2023 Honda teams

In 2023, the teams choosing to rely upon the Honda CBR1000RR-R Fireblade SP are:

Formula EWC

#1 F.C.C. TSR Honda France

#333 Honda Viltaïs Racing

Superstock

#30 GT Endurance

#32 Ecole de la Performance Endurance – TBC 

#41 RAC 41 Chromeburner

#44 Honda No Limits

#55 National Motos Honda

Just as the different classes display different coloured number plates, each team’s riders also wear different coloured armbands for ease of identification - blue, red and yellow with the reserve rider armband coloured green. 

Forty-seven years after that first victory, and now aboard the CBR1000RR-R Fireblade SP, the reigning champions and their fellow Honda teams will be striving, once again, to “simply win”.