24 Heures Moto (21-22) This weekend

[RACECAR]

So for the last few years, the only time I ever saw any adverts on the net for Moto races were usually just for the usual AMA Superbike or Moto GP race. However beginning last week, an ad I never saw before kept popping up and it immediately has captured my attention: An ad for the 24 Heures Moto.

That's right, there is a 24 hour Motorcycle race that takes place every year at the exact same track as the 24 Hours Of Le Mans (although technically not the same layout as its on the Bugatti Circuit). Some people may have already known, but I was completely unaware of this (remember that I'm still not all that aware on the Motorcycle racing world) so this was an interesting find.

So why do I post up this thread? Well given the Motorsport forum hardly covers Motorcycle racing (which is surprising given there are some big fans here clearly along with those Tourist Trophy Enthusiasts), I decided to bring this to the attention of people and possibly gather some like minded people to watch their first ever 24 Hour Motorcycle race. I'll admit that I have no knowledge of the riders, but maybe that can change if enough people watch the race

Official Site
Live Stream

 

[Mike Rotch]

There was a series aired last year called 'Honda TT Legends' on ITV or Channel4 (cant remember) which over the course of 7 or 8 episodes, chronicled the endurance and TT championship in 2012. It followed the Honda 'TT Legends' team comprised at the time of John McGuinness (combine Seb Loeb and Schumi's achievements into TT racing and that's him), Cam Donald (Australia's fastest plumber) and Simon Andrews (TT newbie).

There are a couple of 9 hour races and obviously the TT in the season, along with the Le Mans 24hr. Interesting viewing if you can find it 👍

 

[RACECAR]

There was a series aired last year called 'Honda TT Legends' on ITV or Channel4 (cant remember) which over the course of 7 or 8 episodes, chronicled the endurance and TT championship in 2012. It followed the Honda 'TT Legends' team comprised at the time of John McGuinness (combine Seb Loeb and Schumi's achievements into TT racing and that's him), Cam Donald (Australia's fastest plumber) and Simon Andrews (TT newbie).

There are a couple of 9 hour races and obviously the TT in the season, along with the Le Mans 24hr. Interesting viewing if you can find it 👍

That's interesting to know. So its kinda like the Bike version of the WEC. If I can find some decent sites to view those, I'd be very interested in seeing those races as well.

 

[Mike Rotch]

Here is the trailer for it:

 

[Whodoyouthink]

Same here only found out about this race a few months ago.

Only pitstops I've seen for bikes are the ones from the Isle Of Man TT, and the only taste of the Bugatti Circuit I have is of the MotoGP race from earlier this year. Even with it being in the rain, for whatever reason I couldn't stay interested enough to watch the whole race. I don't think I care for the circuit too much.

Perhaps this race will prove much more interesting to me?

 

[adamp93]

I'm going for my first time this year. My dad has been a few times before and to the Bol D'or in Magny Cours and he says the French go barmy that weekend so I really am looking forward to it.

 

[Hun200kmh]

It's an amazing event. And very interesting to watch bikes with real headlights racing. Usually rain makes an appearance and I always get the feeling these guys are crazy when I see images of night racing ... with bikes ... in the rain!

Anyway, no such thing in 2012. Here a Michelin-sponsored video about last years' edition:

 

[RACECAR]

Wow, they do the old running start? That's nuts. The more I learn about this, the more I really want to see this race (and the many other ones). Its really a fascinating sport to look at.

 

[TheBook]

Is there any streaming/live video coverage of this? I would love to watch it if possible.

 

[Tired Tyres]

http://live.fim-live.com/en/

I don't know if it will show all the race live thought.

 

[RACECAR]

http://live.fim-live.com/en/

I don't know if it will show all the race live thought.

Adding to first post 👍

 

[LancerEvo7]

Wow, they do the old running start? That's nuts.

It makes sense, no seat belts to deal with takes away the main safety aspect of the start.

 

[A2K78]

Only pitstops I've seen for bikes are the ones from the Isle Of Man TT

Ever hear of the Suzuka 8 Hour or 8 Hours of Doha?

 

[JohnBM01]

This race obviously isn't as big as the 24 Hours of Le Mans, but I regard this race about as much for motorcycles as I do with the GT and prototype cars around Circuit de la Sarthe. This one is going to be an intense race, as the 24 Hours of Le Mans Moto usually is. Can you imagine having to share the same racing bike with your teammates around the same track for hours on end?

Good luck to all riders and teams competing in this year's 24 Hours of Le Mans Moto.

 

[Mac K]

Staging a 24 hour motorcycle race is just insane, huge respect for anyone taking part.

 

[Tired Tyres]

Warm up is streaming.

http://live.fim-live.com/en/

 

[RACECAR]

A Sidecar race before the 24? Wasn't expecting that, but in fairness all is new to me.

Also, it appears we'll likely be stuck with an all French commentary (which unless you are basically fluent in it, won't help much with identifiying anyone).

 

[Tired Tyres]

They are running through all the national anthems now.

^ The French commentary also changes to english every so often.

 

[Tom]

I've been following BMW Motorrad France's progress all weekend, shame to see that they retired due to a terminal gearshift problem.

 

[Rossell2]

Didn't get to see much of this, how did it go?

 

[adamp93]

So I got back yesterday morning and I have to say to anyone within reason, you must experience this once in your life.
We stayed in the town a few miles from the track but there's a neat tram service that will get you there easily. Me and my dad turned up about 2PM on the Saturday and it was 62€ for him but 37€ for me as a student and the girl charged us 74€ for the pair, result!
The start was immense, nobody took any notice of the national anthems, until the French one of course; some 30,000 singing their hearts out is an experience, especially considering we'd never get that in England. Being slightly over 6 foot tall gave me a half decent view of the start because obviously everybody flocks to the start/finish line in drones so it's difficult to get a good view. We stayed for a hour or so looking a different parts of the track and watching GMT 94 fans disappointed as they crashed after only a few laps before heading back. Also something happened to the Suzuki who was leading but I couldn't tell you what.
We went back for the night and got there to see a safety car and a quick text home informed us of the horrifying injury to the ever unlucky Simon Andrews, get well soon again Simon. After that was all cleared up we looked at the first corner and chicane. To anyone who knows the circuit you would know how scary that must be on a bike at 140mph, now imagine it in the dark. The circuit is light up but not in the scale of Qatar for the Moto GP night race and the headlights are decent but the riders can't see more than 30 yards in front clearly IMO. Before leaving we watched for about 15 minutes at the end of the back straight under the braking area. Now this is a sight to behold, to watch the absolute precision of every rider is immense; lap after lap braking at the exact same point and throwing the bike into a blind corner, I'd say it was the least lit up of all. Then you get guys shoving it up the inside of someone else, for a start you need to rely on the guy seeing your headlights and giving you room; and when you see a fast guy coming up behind a back marker from the stock class it could even be considered dangerous. The thing that really got me was the bikes in the braking zone; flames spitting out the exhaust as they change down, then best of all the brake discs are glowing red with the extreme heat and in the night it really is breath taking.
One more thing is the camp site, these French guys are just bonkers! They take their bikes in and just rev them up, over and over and over; I've no idea why but they just do, and they take it in turns so there's never more than a couple within ear shot.
So I hope this convinces some of you to give it a go, I had a great time even considering the short amount of time I actually spent at the track, especially since we had to leave to catch our ferry back meaning I couldn't go back on the Sunday.
Interesting side note, we overtook John McGuinness in his motor home on the way back, twice. He must have splashed out on a quicker ferry than ours

 

[R0ssingt0n]

I'm really not a bike guy. To be honest they've never interested me that much but I'm really tempted to go to this one year. Would make a change from seeing the cars there!

Glad you got to experience the campsites, they really are unique to Le Mans. I love it.

 

[Hun200kmh]

Never saw bikes racing at night and your description was amazing, maybe one day I go see it myself. Thanks for sharing! 👍

 

[Tired Tyres]

I watched it online with no commentary. I was surprised with how many leaders crashed out.

Overall it was very interesting and I'd like to see some more endurance bike races. 👍

 

[Zona]

I work out with one of the guys who was competing in this race (Simon Andrews). Unfortunately he was involved in a huge wreck.

 

[Mike Rotch]

Sad to read about Andrews' crash; following his big accident in 2011, his big crash in 2012 at the TT and now this, it seems he is either riding beyond his abilities too often or extremely unlucky. I hope he recovers fully and the Legends team send him to a feeder series for a season or two to build up his confidence and skills again. Poor lad.

 

[Tom]

I'm glad to see that he's making steady progress.

http://www.crash.net/road+racing/news/196176/1/update_on_condition_of_simon_andrews.html

 

[Hun200kmh]

Great news 👍

 

[adamp93]

Never saw bikes racing at night and your description was amazing, maybe one day I go see it myself. Thanks for sharing! 👍

No worries and thanks for the nice words.