The CVC Racing Team is the story of a group of friends, engineers and mechanics, with a shared dream: to win the 23h60. A deep dive into the weekend of these enthusiasts, who attracted attention during this 14th edition.
On the weekend of April 12-13, you were probably following MotoGP or Superbike, but the world championships weren't the only ones competing. On the Le Mans International Karting Circuit, located in the famous Oxen Path, stood the 23:60 p.m.A round of the 25 Power Championship, contested over 24 hours by two categories of motorcycles: 15 and 25 hp.
With 13 editions already under its belt, this event is an unmissable meeting for enthusiasts who want to try their hand at the world of endurance. Its advantages: a reasonable budget, real racing conditions and the opportunity to ride alongside professionals. All in all, it makes for a very nice weekend., with varied levels on the track, totally different challenges from one team to another, and a great atmosphere that motorsports fans love to witness.
A crazy bet, born of raw passion
Le CVC Racing Team was one of the 42 teams entered for this 14th edition, and we followed them throughout their emotional weekend. At its origin, a group of friends made up of mechanics and engineers, who regularly finds himself on the circuits to ride as an amateur. After two participations in the 23h60, the desire to create a prototype without compromise began to germinate in the minds of some.
The project was launched in July 2024, with a simple idea: build the ultimate racing bike to win the 23:60A variable-speed two-stroke engine in a lightweight, rigid frame. The basis was quickly identified: a MIR Moto5 chassis equipped with a homemade engine! The foundations were laid with the first technical choices, the creation of an association, and the search for partners.
Key stages and crazy intensity
On October 1, 2024, organizers announce that the 23:60 p.m. test will be brought forward by three months, a hard blow for the team, but the project is launched and the objective is clear: to line up this bike on the starting grid.
Very quickly, the project takes an almost industrial turn : design of casings and transmission, manufacture of the exhaust, manufacture of the harness, electronic management, test bench, engine tuning, modeling of chassis kinematics, etc. The 3D printers are running at full speed, these enthusiasts are chaining ideas together and developing, element by element, an increasingly advanced prototype.
Months of intense preparation and many sleepless nights allowed us to overcome each of the problems encountered. The first machined crankcases were received at the end of February. 48 hours after opening the package the engine lets out its first criesIn March, bench tests allow the adjustment of the variation and the carburetion, as well as making as many elements as possible more reliable.
It's only 12 days before the race the prototype completed its first laps on the track, the mechanics are still fragile but the team reacts and finds solutions to each problem. The bike is starting to show real potential.
The race weekend: a human adventure
Le Thursday April 10, the entire team of CVC Racing Team arrives in Le Mans. Organizing hospitality, arranging the box, administrative checks, it's time to start these 23h60. After a final night of mechanics to sort out the last details, early on Friday morning the motorcycle adorned with the number 10 passed the technical inspection without a hitch, and his entry onto the track at the start of the afternoon tests sounds like a first victoryNine months earlier, this idea had been germinating in the minds of some, and now it is materializing before our eyes. Hats and sweatshirts bearing the team's logo are being distributed, pride is seen in the eyes.
However, the time for euphoria is not yet rightThe bike remains a young prototype with reliability concerns, and the objective remains to manage to take the start and hold a relayExhaust failures continued during the tests, along with other problems, and the drivers did not drive much. However, the motorcycle attracts attentionMany curious people come to observe this prototype and encourage it. CVC.
When qualifying comes around, the tension mounts. It's make or break…literally! The team decided to implement a radical strategy: each rider would have to qualify in one flying lap and return to the pits to preserve their mechanics. This way, the fastest rider could go last and use the entire session to set the best possible time. Two years ago, he helped the team qualify ninth. So, given the bike's potential, if it holds up, the first places are possible.
The first driver takes to the track. The exhaust holds, the time is up, and he returns to the pits. Everything is going as planned, the sessions continue and five of the six riders are qualified. The fastest rider takes off in turn… and stops at the end of the pit lane. The chain has come off. He pushes his bike to the pit box and catches his breath. The mechanics take over, analyze the situation and quickly reassemble the bike because the clock is ticking, and the 12 minutes of this final qualifying session are already well underway.
Unfortunately, the situation reoccurs twice. The mechanics finally detect a broken engine mount, but the session is over. a blow for the team but the main thing is there, the motorcycle will startThe sixth driver will finally be selected during the warm-up the following morning.
But no time to rejoice, A lot of work awaits the team before the start of the race. During the night, Mechanics imagine a new “ball jointed” exhaustThe sheet metal is cut, hammered, then welded. It is a daring bet but all other ideas have already failed.
Photo credit: Mob'Club Montgesnois
Saturday, April 12, 14:30 p.m., departure time. When the lights go out and the prototype's engine roars amidst the forty or so competitors, Emotions are running high in the box, and a few tears are shed.. No matter how long he lasts on track, he started the race having not completed 10 laps without technical problems until now. A real victory for the CVC Racing Team and a great reward for the last few months of hard work... and against all odds, he will hold the first stint without a hitch, then the following five stints. The unique sound of this bike resonates lap after lap on the pit straight.
At 17:30 p.m. the rain is coming, the track becomes extremely tricky and a ballet of falls begins. Until 22 p.m., they continue all over the circuit, almost no team is spared. On the side of CVC, three falls were recorded in the rain, but they were offset by the performance of the machine and the riders in these extremely delicate conditions. The team managed to move up from 36th position to 15th in a single relay!
While the relays continue on the track, behind the scenes the organization is in full swing so that everything runs smoothly. The panelists take turns at their posts and keep an eye out for the drivers' slightest movement, the osteopath carries out treatment after treatment, and the little hands bring to the pit trays prepared with care by the two assigned cooks.
Everything is going well until 23:59 p.m., when The trouble starts with the swing arm breaking. It is removed, re-welded, reassembled and the bike is back on the track. An hour later, it is the front and rear engine mounts which, weakened by the previous breakage, give up the ghost in turn. Once again, the mechanics are there, replace the supports in a few minutes and the bike can get back on the track. At 4 a.m. the reducer breaks down and forces the bike to go back into the garage one last time. Abandonment is inevitable.
Pride and joy prevail over sadnessThis prototype, which was only supposed to run for one relay, completed a 13-hour race. A great team performance!
On the track, the 3H Racing MIG team continues to lead and will hold onto its first place until the finish at 14:30 p.m. on Sunday. For its part, the CVC Racing Team already has its sights set on next year's 23:60 p.m.
The results of the 14th edition of the 23h60 are to find here.
