RAC 41 Chromeburner finishes second in Superstock and fourth overall at the Bol d’Or
Paul Ricard CircuitIn an amazing performance, Honda privateer team RAC 41 Chromeburner took second place in the Superstock category and fourth overall on their CBR1000RR-R Fireblade SP, having started the race from 15th on the grid during the 84th edition of the Bol d’Or at the Paul Ricard circuit.
After the first three hours, the Honda team of Chris Leesch, Grégory Fastré and Wayne Tessels was placed in second position of the Superstock category and took the lead at the 11th hour of the race.
However, at the halfway point of the race, Grégory Fastré had to enter the box to fix some issues that put the team back to fifth position costing them several laps. With very solid lap times and formidable effectiveness of the Fireblade #41, the team gained two positions at the last quarter of the race, entering into the podium positions.
Towards the end of the race, the team stepped into the second position again and with consistent laps, the Honda team crossed the finish line in a second position.
Last round winners, F.C.C. TSR Honda France showed a high level of teamwork and determination during the race, fighting in third position just before the middle of the race when the team was forced to retire after experiencing a mechanical issue in the 12th hour.
It was a positive start for Honda’s endurance specialists Josh Hook, Mike Di Meglio, and Yuki Takahashi who were placed in second position at the second hour of the race aboard the #5 Honda CBR1000RR Fireblade SP.
However, after two minor crashes from Yuki Takahashi, the team was forced to make prolonged pit stops and the Japanese team returned to the race in 21st position in the fourth hour. With consistent lap times aboard the #5 Fireblade and a ‘never give up’ attitude, the team moved into the sixth position at the eight-hour stage, collecting 5 championships points.
It was by the mid-point of the race, when the team was placed in third position after an outstanding comeback, an issue forced Josh Hook to return to the box but even with all the hard work of the crew, it was not possible to continue.
Despite the result, the Japanese team leave Bol d’Or with their heads high after showing a great teamwork throughout and sits third overall in the championship with 89 points.
Meanwhile, National Motos that started the race in 3rd place in the Superstock category, suffered two crashed at the first quarter of the race that brought their 24-hour race to a premature finish.
The FIM EWC finale will be held on 9 October at the 8 Hours of Most (Czech Republic).
‘’The Honda Fireblade worked perfectly in this track, we were the fastest bike on the straight which is very important with the 2km straight, had zero problems and great performance of the Fireblade so we’re very happy to race with this bike.The race was very complicated for everybody and all the teams but luckily for us our bike just behaved just as well with the rain tires and with slicks so it worked in both conditions which prepared us to be on the podium today.’’
‘’The team worked very hard, we started with the new Fireblade last year and it is great to get a good result here. My team mates did a very good job and all the team so it is great that finally we are in the top three, we had a very good speed with the bike that allowed us to be very competitive in this track.’’
‘’This edition of the Bol d’Or was very difficult for all the teams. I am very happy to be on the podium the team worked very hard during all the sessions and also at the race. I have more experience in the Endurance races and my team mates are less experienced but we had a good connection and I am very happy with this result.’’
"It was a very difficult race for us today. After the crashes and a longer stop to make some repairs, we were down to around 20th place. The whole team did an incredible job to get us back in the top 3. I really want to thank my teammates and the team. We have to remember the positive which is that we never gave up. We will go to Most with the intention to make the best possible result.”
“It's tough. The race was difficult but we never gave up and came back to 3rd place, where we should be. That's endurance racing; if you don't take risks you can't fight for victory. Thanks to the whole team and my teammates who gave everything until the end. Now, see you in Most.”
“It's a big disappointment because I had a small crash and then fell a second time. We lost a lot of positions but thanks to the team who worked very hard and to the rain conditions in which we were very comfortable, we came back to the front. We will give it our all in the next race.”
