Source: Supplied.

F.C.C. TSR Honda has made history becoming the first Japanese team to claim victory in the FIM Endurance World Championship (EWC) Le Mans 24 Hours, beating home Honda Endurance Racing and BMW-mounted German team Wepol Racing by Penz13 in what was the second round of the 2017-2018 series at the weekend.

The 41st edition of the 24 hours will go down in history for several reasons, the most notable one is the victory of the Japanese team – a Honda France partner this season. By doing so, the squad handed tyre manufacturer Bridgestone its first Le Mans victory, and shot to the top of the EWC provisional standings.

F.C.C. TSR Honda had previously won a spot on the championship podium in 2016, but today the squad’s determined riders Freddy Foray, Alan Techer and Josh Hook finally enabled Honda to once again taste victory at Le Mans. The brand’s last win here dates back to 2006, with National Motos.

Another CBR1000RR-mounted team was also on the podium, the British squad Honda Endurance Racing consisting of Gregory Leblanc, Sébastien Gimbert and Erwan Nigon, who made a fantastic climb back up after slipping down to 38th place in the early stages of the race due to an electronics problem.

Germany was represented on the podium too, by Wepol Racing by Penz13. The BMW-mounted team comprising Michael Laverty, Christian Iddon and Daniel Webb ran a superb race despite a crash and all the pitfalls of a 24-hour race. Wepol Racing by Penz13 had picked up 2nd place at the Bol d’Or last September.

Three nationalities were represented on the podium, and three tyre manufacturers: Bridgestone, Dunlop and Pirelli, in that order – an absolute first.

Kawaski-mounted Bolliger Team Switzerland’s all-Swiss line-up (Roman Stamm, Robin Mulhauser and Sébastien Suchet) narrowly missed the podium, finishing in fourth.

In fifth place was Team SRC Kawasaki. After lapping in front in the early part of the race, a crash followed by a radiator problem saw the team plunging to the bottom of the rankings. But Randy de Puniet, Mathieu Gines and Jérémy Guarnoni rode hard for the full 24 hours to finish in the top five.

Title contender YART Yamaha Official EWC Team, which includes Australian Broc Parkes, recorded its second-consecutive DNF when team member Marvin Fritz crashed out on lap 153. On a positive note, the outfit was one of the quickest bikes on-track prior to the incident.

The next stop on the Endurance World Championship calendar is set for 12 May, marking the 2018 edition of the 8 Hours of Slovakia Ring.