Race Report from the 1000km Endurance Challenge 2009, Hockenheimring Germany

Event: 1000km Endurance Challenge Championships
Where: Hockenheimring, Germany
Weather: Warm and Dry conditions - 25 C/75 F

Hockenheimring hosted the 2009 season kick off with the annual 1000 kilometer Endurance Challenge. Three U.S. racers (Sean O'Connor, Jason Van and Maurice 'Reese' Evans) as well as our friend from Denmark (Soren Jakobsen) competed in the weekend race in front of a couple thousand fans! The teams were hoping to get the year started off ahead of the pack and shooting for the top step of the podium.

The Endurance event/Dauerprufing Session: The endurance portion required all riders to complete 1000 km within the allotted time. Reese and Soren were aboard the Dunlop shod Yamaha R6, while Sean and Jason rode the Michelin mounted Ducati 999R. The Reese/Soren team did quite well throughout the session battling several riders while weaving thru the slower traffic. They were able to get the R6 down to a consistent lap of 1'54! A great start to the season.

Unfortunately, Sean and Jason didn't fair as well in the season opener. Although consistently quickening their lap times early on, the Ducati began suffering from a lack of grip as the track temperatures slowly increased. Both riders experienced nasty high-sides coming out of the Mercedes curve. Sean was able to remount, however, after the 2nd incident, Jason suffered from a broken foot which ended their quest challenging for the podium.

Overall fastest qualifying lap times: Reese/Soren: 1:55/1:54 - 5th position on the starting grid

The Sprint Race:

The 1000km race begins LeMans style with the riders running across the track, jumping on the bikes and taking off down the straightaway. The race consist of 14 laps and the riders must pit to switch riders at the half way point. When the flag dropped, Reese sprinted to the R6 and took off into 4th place heading into turn one. Reese quickly moved up to 3rd place by late breaking his opposition at the end of the long (260 kph +) parabolica. Reese powered past the next rider coming out of turn 6, to move into 2nd place. Reese was in 2nd place for 2 laps while trying to chase down the race leader. On the fourth lap heading down the parabolica, Reese was passed by a former rider of the R6 cup. His battle for 2nd place was quickly fading away, however, Reese put his head down and put in a few hot laps. Reese was able to track down his foe and begin battling for 2nd place, however, this was the lap in which Reese was due to switch riders with Soren. Reese flew thru the pits and he and Soren executed a brilliant change over within seconds. At this point the Soren show began!!!! Soren took off out of the pits in 2nd place about 5-6 seconds behind the race leader. Soren immediately put in some hot laps and closed in on the leader lap by lap (while setting the fastest lap of the race TWICE)! The fans were on their feet as Soren continued sliding the R6 in and out of the turns! Reese was on the pit wall cheering but feeling woozie as he watched Soren blazing down the front straightaway! Soren closed to within a half a second of the leader at one point, and with one lap to go, Soren was setting up for a pass down the straightaway. Unfortunately, lap traffic reared it's ugly head, and as the leader slashed thru the lap traffic, two of the lap riders sat up and accidentally forced Soren to the outside of the track. Soren was forced to let off the gas momentarily causing the leader to build a comfortable gap and hold off Soren for the checkered flag! One hell of a race!!

Fastest lap times in the races:

Soren: 1:51.4
Reese: 1:54.2

Huge thanks to family, friends and fans!! We all appreciate your support! The race results are attached (auf Deutsche) along with photo's of Sean (167) and Reese (105).

Next race is 1 May at Oschersleben Motopark. We should have a full grid of U.S. riders (approx 4) Hope to see you there!

I'll have more information on the entire season posted on my website: www.reese-racing.net

More photo's located at:
www.JW-SPORTFOTO.de
www.unser-mittelhessen.de
www.rt-sportfotografie.de
www.circuitpics.de


Reese Evans, Yamaha R6
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