From a press release issued by FGSport Group:

The FIM World Endurance Championship visits eight international circuits over seven months, featuring five different race formats with a truly diverse range of machinery all competing for overall championship honours. The first six rounds of the championship have all been very closely fought, with the Suzuki Zongshen No.1 bike winning at Imola, Brno, Albacete and the A1-Ring, and the Suzuki Zongshen No.2 bike taking the honours at Assen.

After a set-back at Suzuka, Zongshen No.1 still lead the championship with 116 points, 17 points ahead of Suzuki GB Phase One in second place. Phase One are the only team to have scored points in every round this year. Zongshen No.2 are third, six points clear of Suzuki Police Nationale and Yamaha GMT94.

Although Zongshen No.1 have held onto their advantage after Suzuka, there are still 75 points to be won before the end of the season, with 50 available at Oschersleben.

Last Year’s Race

Last year’s race was incident packed from start to finish. GMT94 took the lead in the early stages of the race, followed closely by the two Zongshen bikes, Phase One, Endurance Moto 38 and Police Nationale. Torrential rain and high winds stopped the race for two hours, with the bikes returned to Parc Fermé until conditions were safe to continue.

With the track still slick after the restart, both Police Nationale and Phase One fell and lost ground on the leaders; neither of these teams would see the end of the race. GMT94 and Zongshen continued to battle for the lead until mechanical problems for GMT94 dropped them down the running to eventually finish fourth.

Zongshen also had their share of problems. Nowland fell at around 11am on Sunday, letting Endurance Moto 38 through to the lead. A fall by Mertens shortly after midday relegated Zongshen to third place behind their team mates, and 10 laps behind the leaders. They eventually managed to finish in second place to secure the world championship with one race still to run.

But the real story of the 2002 Oschersleben 24 Hours was the performance of Endurance Moto 38. The French Yamaha team of Bernard Cuzin, Christian Hacquin and David Morillon carried off the win while the four favourites suffered mixed fortunes. The sinuous and challenging nature of the German track made it possible for their R1 to make best use of its advantages over the Suzukis. Endurance Moto 38 had already shown their capabilities by winning the 1999 Oschersleben race on a Stocksport R1, and will be hoping to repeat the result this year.

Protagonists’ Quotes

Warwick Nowland – Suzuki Zongshen No.1: “There is no one going to Oschersleben more determined than me. For every second of the day between Suzuka and Oschersleben I’ve been living and breathing this race. I don’t care where anyone else finishes; I just want to win by 15 or 20 laps.”

Russell Benney – Suzuki GB Phase One: “We’re going to Oschersleben with a virtually level playing field; it’s as if the season starts all over again. The real challenge facing us now is beating Zongshen – not the midfielders – and we are perfectly placed to do it. The pressure is on them……”

Oschersleben 24 Hours: Background

This is without doubt the most important race of the year so far. If Zongshen No.1 have luck on their side, they could secure the World Endurance Championship with one round still to go. Meanwhile, Suzuki GB Phase One see this race as their chance to capitalise on the points they brought home from Suzuka and to move into the lead in front of Zongshen 1. But last year’s race (see above) is all the proof we need that the favourites don’t always get their own way. Both Zongshen and Phase One hit problems during the race, and consistency won the day. A good result for Zongshen 2, Suzuki Police Nationale or Yamaha GMT94 could put them right back into contention.

Twenty four hours of non-stop racing is a real challenge, and one that brings a full entry to the race every year. Joining the permanent teams on the grid are many strong and experienced teams from around the world who will be content with just completing the race. Germany is particularly well represented, with some real endurance experts coming out of the woodwork for this race. A number of manufacturers will also be making one-off appearances at Oschersleben, with Buell, Triumph, Honda and Aprilia joining the regular entrants from Suzuki, Yamaha, Ducati and Kawasaki.

Quite apart from the length of the race, Oschersleben presents a number of other challenges. The circuit is very demanding, with series of bends which fold back on themselves leaving riders little chance to rest and giving the bikes’ gearboxes and transmissions a hard time. The weather is also likely to make its presence felt, with a possibility of thunderstorms over the weekend and temperatures expected to range from the high twenties for the start to the low teens as night falls. For the riders and pit crew staying cool during the day and warm at night will be a real issue, but it is unlikely to bother the many thousands of spectators who will gather to watch the race. With the many attractions running alongside the main event at Oschersleben – from Supermoto racing to the Bikini Bike Wash – race goers are guaranteed a great weekend.

For the competitors the only focus will be the 24 hours of racing, and the points and glory that will come with a good result.

Oschersleben: 24 Hour Party

The Oschersleben 24 Hour World Endurance race is the centre piece of the German circuit’s “Speedweek” celebration. Race fans travel from all over Europe to spend a long weekend eating, drinking and enjoying the festivities. The race begins with the traditional “endurance start” sprint across the track, and continues through the night. Some spectators will follow the whole race, moving from corner to corner or spending all night in the grandstand opposite pit lane watching the drama unfold as teams struggle to stay in contention.

The action continues in and around the paddock and campsites, with test rides, trade stalls, music and the now famous “Bikini Bikewash”. There is also a packed support card which includes German national series, one-make championships, sidecar competitions, Super Moto events and even an “Old Timers” race for classic and historic bikes. If you are only travelling to just one World Endurance race this year, it has to be Oschersleben…

Oschersleben 24 Hours Timetable
ROUND 7 OSCHERSLEBEN EVENT PREVIEW

Thursday August 21
10:00 – 11:00 EWC Free practices
12:15 – 13:15 EWC Free practices
15:30 – 18:00 EWC Official practices
21:30 – 22:30 EWC Free practices
22:45 – 23:30 EWC Free practices

Friday August 22
10:00 – 12:30 EWC Official practices

Saturday August 23
09:00 – 09:45 EWC Warm Up
14:25 EWC Start Procedure
15:00 EWC Race Start

Sunday August 24
15:00 EWC Race Arrival

Oschersleben 24 Hours Entry List CIRCUIT MAP

No. Team Nat. Bike Class Riders

1 Zongshen Team 1, CHN, Suzuki GSX-R1000, SPR, Warwick Nowland AUS, Stephane Mertens BEL, tba

2 Zongshen Team 2, CHN, Suzuki GSX-R1000, SPR, Bruno, Bonhuil FRA, Igor Jerman SLO, tba

3 Suzuki GB Phase One, GBR, Suzuki GSX-R1000, SPR, James Ellison GBR, Josh Hayes USA, Jimmy Lindstrom SWE

4 Team Herber Endurance, GER, Suzuki GSX-R1000, SPR, Hans Herber GER, Andrea Giachino ITA, Gustav Persson SWE

5 Ducati Marchetti, ITA, Ducati 999R, WSB, Dario Marchetti ITA, Marc Garcia FRA, tba

6 Junior Phase One, GBR, Suzuki GSX-R1000, SPR, Damian Cudlin AUS, Henry Fincher GBR, Martin Jessopp GBR

7 X – One, ITA, Mondial Piega 1000, OPN, Maurizio Bargiacchi, Andrea Perselli ITA

8 Bolliger Team Switzerland, SUI, Kawasaki ZX-9R, SPR, Marcel Kellenberger SUI, Roman Stamm SUI, Tobias Nyström SWE, Benny Jerzenbeck GER

9 Yamaha Austria Racing Team, AUT, Yamaha YZF-R1, WSB, Horst Saiger AUT, Erwin Wilding AUT, Karl Truchsess AUT, Manfred Kainz AUT

10 Trackdaze 10, GBR, Suzuki GSX-R1000, SPR, Mark Kingston, GBR, Hugh Brasher GBR, James Agombar GBR, Ralph Stocker GBR

11 Trackdaze 11, GBR, Suzuki GSX-R1000, SPR, tba GBR, tba GBR, tba GBR, tba GBR

12 Team fagersjo-el.se, SWE, Yamaha YZF-R1, SPR, Niklas Carlberg SWE, Lars Carlbark swe, Fredrik Watz, swe

14 Jet Team, SUI, Suzuki GSX-R1000, SPR, Claude-Alain Jaggi,SUI, Eric Monot FRA, Sylvain Waldmeier SUI, Sebastien Pellerich SUI

15 Hofmann Racing Team, GER, Suzuki GSX-R1000, SPR, Jürgen Frank Spenner GER, Niggi Schmassmann SUI Sandor Bitter HUN, Lars Albrecht GER

16 Rookie Endurance Racing Team, GER, Suzuki GSX-R1000, SPR, Thomas Roth GER, Christian Plantius GER, tba

17 Bergmann & Söhne Racing, GER, Suzuki GSX-R1000, SPR, Rüdiger Seefeldt GER, Klaus Schulz GER, Georg Jelicic GER

18 Maco Moto Racing Team Slovakia, SLO, Yamaha YZF-R1, STK, Martin Kuzma SLK, Libor Bucek SLK, Jozef Bucek SLK, Stanislav Fabry SLK

19 Buell Racing Team Hannover, GER, Buell XB9R, PRB, Karsten Schmidt GER, Joachim Scholz GER, Dirk Scheffer GER, Frank Schüller GER

22 Team 22 Police Nationale, FRA, Suzuki GSX-R1000, SPR, Gwen Giabbani FRA, Paolo Blora ITA, Takaharu Kishida JAP, Jérôme Cauchard FRA

27 b.a.u. racing team, GER, Yamaha YZF-R6, PRB, Ralf Meyke GER, Hartmut Rieckmann GER, Roger Perplies GER, Thomas Nickel GER

29 Racing Team Hepelmann, GER, Yamaha YZF-R1, SPR, Hans-Josef Hepelmann GER, Reinhard Krächter GER, Oliver Wrede GER,

31 Starkenburger AMC, GER, Honda CBR900RR, STK, Matthias Bormann GER, Volker Lausecker GER, Hubertus Junker GER, Aaron Lang GER

32 Overdose-Racing, GER, Yamaha YZF-R1, PRB, Thomas Lampert GER, Kai Buerkle GER, Uwe Geist GER

33 Ducati Rheinhessen, GER, Ducati 998, WSB, Toni Heiler GER, Peter Hecker GER, Harry Gres GER

36 Hummel u. DCH, GER, Suzuki GSX-R1000, STK, Stefan Merkens GER, Herbert Schmitz GER, Uwe Reisse GER

37 LSL Triumph Team, GER, Triumph Daytona 955, PRB, Kai Schlieper GER, Oliver Schmidt GER, Frank Penningsfeld GER, Andy Glänzel GER

38 Endurance Moto 38, FRA, Yamaha YZF-R1, SPR, Christian Hacquin FRA, David Morillon FRA, Bernard Cuzin FRA

39 Racing Team Magedeburg, GER, Honda CBR900RR, PRB, Oliver Hagenau GER, Helmut Streitberg GER, Karsten Kuske GER

42 Racepool – Zweirad Hübner, GER, Suzuki GSX-R1000, PRB, Steve Mizera GER, Rico Löwe GER, Thomas Hübner GER, Jens Borkowski GER

43 ABBCO Racing Kassel, GER, Suzuki GSX-R1000, PRB, Erich Freiberger GER, Thomas Schönfelderberger GER, Marco Marcelletti GER, Ralf Walter GER

46 Yamaha Endurance Belgium, BEL, Yamaha YZF-R1, SPR, Danny Scheers BEL, Koen Reymenants BEL, Peter Ploemen BEL

47 Bridgestone Bikers Profi, GER, Suzuki GSX-R1000, SPR, Stefan Strauch GER, Tim Röthig GER, Thomas Czyborra GER, Guido Stüsser GER

48 TSV Völpke Motorsport, GER, Honda CBR600R, PRB, Matthias Heendorf GER, René Tänzer GER, Alexander Oelze GER

49 Schreiber Racing Team, GER, STK, Jörg Westermann GER, Rainer Bachen GER, Gerold Ankert GER, Andreas Schäfer GER

50 PS Schlesinger, GER, Suzuki GSX-R1000, SPR, Gerd Peter Meyer GER, Stefan Meyer GER, Hendryk Peuker GER, Peter Wegscheider GER

51 Team Yamaha Geyer Uvex Motokram, GER, Yamaha YZF-R6, PRB, Thomas Wendel GER, Peter Ungemach GER, Enrico Klügl GER, Max Müller

52 Engel-Racing-Team, GER, Suzuki GSX-R1000, PRB, Stefan Kittel GER, Ronny Linke GER, Peter Kraft GER, Frank Heidger GER

55 Yoshimura ELF Schäfer Motorsport, GER, Suzuki GSX-R1000, WSB, Herbert Kaufmann GER, Stefan Nebel GER, Benjamin Nabert GER

57 RAFESA Racing, GER, Suzuki GSX-R1000, PRB, Marco Apel GER, Thomas Nolting GER, René Raub GER, Ullrich Nagel GER

58 Team-Shell-Afri Cola-Bike, GER, Aprilia RSV Mille R, WSB, Mark Brüning GER, Stefan Nowack GER, Stefan Gut GER, Karsten Bartschat GER

59 MSF Sauerland I, GER, Suzuki GSX-R750, PRB, Peter Eickelmann GER, Claus-Peter Eckert GER, Guido Bongen GER

62 Team MSF Sauerland II, GER, Suzuki GSX-R1000, PRB, Jens Gutsche GER, Theodor Köhle GER, Onno Bitter GER

63 Falcon Racing Team, GER, Honda CBR600, PRB, Marcel Hoffmann GER, Christian Wachter GER, Daniel Heyden GER

83 PS-Team, GER, Kawasaki Z1000, PRB, Dietmar Franzen GER, Jörg Schüller GER, Klaus Thiele GER, Andreas Bildl GER

84 E.M.P.P Racing Team, FRA, Suzuki GSX-R1000, SPR, Xavier Fabra FRA, Michael Goffinghs BEL, Oliviert Gabillon FRA, Dominique Bonvicin FRA

94 GMT 94, FRA, Yamaha YZF-R1, SPR, Serafino Foti ITA, David Checa ESP, Sebastian Scarnato, FRA, Christophe Guyot FRA

111 Yamaha-OBI-Shell-Bike Promotion, GER, Yamaha YZF-R1, STK, Rene Knöfler D, Philipp Ludwig GER, Rico Penzkofer D, Daniel Bergau

666 Diablo.GB, GBR, Suzuki GSX-R1000, SPR, James Hutchins GBR, Kevin Falcke GBR, Warren Watson GBR

2003 Championship standing after 6 races

No. Team Nat. Bike Total

1. 1 Zongshen 1, CHN, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 116 points

2. 3 Suzuki GB – Phase One, GBR, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 99 points

3. 2 Zongshen 2, CHN, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 65 points

4. 22 22 Police Nationale, FRA, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 59 points

5. 94 Yamaha GMT94, FRA, Yamaha YZF-R1, 59 points

6. 38 Yamaha Endurance Moto 38, FRA, Yamaha YZF-R1, 35 points

7. 8 Bolliger Team, SUI, Kawasaki ZX9R, 34 points

8. 9 Yamaha Austria Rac. Team, AUT, Yamaha YZF-R1, 34 points

9. 11 Trackdaze 11, GBR, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 26 points

10. 71 Team Sakurai Honda 71, JPN, Honda SP-W, 25 points