FIM Endurance World Championship (EWC): Description and Team Penz13 History
What is the FIM Endurance World Championship (EWC)?
The FIM Endurance World Championship (EWC) is the premier world championship for motorcycle endurance racing, organized by the Fédération Internationale de Motocyclisme (FIM). It is the ultimate test for riders and machines, featuring races lasting 8 to 24 hours on permanent circuits, often with day and night phases. The season typically includes 4–5 events, where teams (usually with 3–4 riders) aim to complete as many laps as possible within the set time. Separate rankings are awarded for teams, riders, and manufacturers.
Classes
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Formula EWC (Top Class): Based on production superbikes with modifications (e.g., forks, brakes, exhaust) for maximum performance.
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Superstock (EWC Cup): Less modified, near-production bikes.
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Other Classes: Such as Experimental or Production.
The start is in Le Mans style (riders sprint to their bikes), and tire choice is free. The EWC evolved from a former European Cup in 1980 and attracts international teams. The 2025 season includes events like Le Mans (24h), Oschersleben (8h), Suzuka (8h), and Bol d’Or (24h). Current champions (as of 2025): Yoshimura SERT Motul (Teams), with an intense title battle.
Team Penz13 in the EWC: Chronological Overview
The German Team Penz13 (founded in 2009 by Rico Penzkofer) is a private racing team specializing in BMW and later Yamaha motorcycles. It competed in the EWC from 2014, mainly in the Superstock class (EWC Cup), focusing on endurance and reliability. The team achieved podiums and victories but was not a factory team. After 2018, it reduced EWC participation in favor of road races (e.g., Isle of Man TT). The “times” refer to race times/lap counts, as individual rider times are rarely documented.
|
Year |
Event (Date) |
Riders |
Motorcycle |
Result/Time (Laps) |
Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2013 |
8 Hours of Oschersleben (German Speedweek) |
Steve Mercer (et al.) |
BMW S 1000 RR (Superstock) |
1st Place (Superstock) |
First EWC win for Penz13 in Superstock; Mercer key rider. |
| 2014 |
8 Hours of Oschersleben (July) |
Markus Reiterberger (DE), Bastien Mackels (BE) |
BMW S 1000 RR (Superstock) |
1st Place (Superstock), Pole Position (Overall) |
Historic win; Reiterberger/Mackels as guest riders; Team Penz13.com Franks Autowelt. |
| 2015 |
Various EWC Events (e.g., Le Mans 24h) |
Michael Rutter (GB), et al. |
BMW S 1000 RR (Superstock) |
No podium; Top-10 finishes |
Entry into Superbike class; focus on reliability. |
| 2016 |
24 Heures Motos Le Mans (April) |
Michael Rutter (GB), Danny Webb (GB), Alessandro Polita (IT) |
BMW S 1000 RR (Superbike) |
Pole Position; Top-5 Finish |
Strong qualifying; Rutter as lead rider. |
| 2016 |
8 Hours of Oschersleben (September, season finale) |
Michael Rutter (GB), Danny Webb (GB), Alessandro Polita (IT) |
BMW S 1000 RR (Superbike) |
3rd Place (Overall, Superbike) |
First Superbike podium; success against factory teams. |
| 2017 |
Bol d’Or Le Castellet (September, 2017/18 season start) |
Michael Rutter (GB), Dan Kneen (GB), Danny Webb (GB) |
BMW S 1000 RR (Superstock, as Wepol BMW by Penz13.com) |
2nd Place (Overall) |
Strong debut; 3 BMW teams in Top-5. |
| 2017 |
24 Hours of Le Mans (November) |
Michael Rutter (GB), Dan Kneen (GB), Danny Webb (GB) |
BMW S 1000 RR (Superstock, #13) |
3rd Place (Overall) |
Second consecutive podium; 4th in Teams’ Championship. |
| 2018 |
Season Start (e.g., Le Mans/Suzuka) |
Danny Webb (GB), Sheridan Morais (ZA), Matthieu Lagrive (FR), Michael Laverty (GB) |
Yamaha YZF-R1 (Superstock) |
3rd Place (Overall after 3 rounds) |
Switch to Yamaha; 3rd in Championship before season end; Webb as constant. |
Notes
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From 2019, Penz13 reduced EWC participation in favor of IDM, IRRC, and road races; no documented starts from 2020–2025.
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Rider rotation was common (3–4 riders per event); exact lap times vary (e.g., ~800–900 laps in 24h races).
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Sources: Official BMW press releases, FIM EWC archives, team history. For detailed lap tables, visit fimewc.com.