The Endurance races were born in Europe and particularly in France, in 1922 with the creation of the famous “Bol d’Or”.
These competitions, which at the beginning were national, were integrated into a European Championship in the early 70s with the participation of many official teams and support of Manufacturers. Given the success of this discipline, the FIM decided then to create a World Championship, which still exists today and is very popular with the teams, factories and riders, especially following the arrival of a new promoter.
The creation of the Endurance European Cup can be considered as a homecoming, in Europe, for crews and riders who for any reasons cannot commit to the full World Championship, or for those who wish to “make their debut” in a major discipline, with a very promising future.
Originally the Endurance races were intended to demonstrate the reliability but also the brilliance of motorcycles, at a time when manufacturers focused their advertising on these qualities. Although still relevant, these concepts of reliability and endurance are now complemented by other elements, including the speed and performance, all this for the full delight of the spectators.
The Endurance European Cup will be held in 2016 in a single event – the 12 Hours of Magny-Cours, in France, on June 4-5th. But this edition of the European Cup 2016 opens the way and is a future perspective for all organizers wishing to enter in the European calendar events longer than 6 hours.
It can also be the opportunity for teams and riders to emerge and climb the sporting career ladder.
The rules can be downloaded from the FIM Europe website:
http://www.fim-europe.com/images/pdf/2016/SPORTING_RULES/ROAD_RACING/RR_Endurance_CUP_2016.pdf
