[EWC] FCC TSR Honda France presents its 1000 CBR2020RR-R. What about its chances at Le Mans?

The FCC TSR Honda France team invited us yesterday to the presentation of its brand new endurance Fireblade, a few days after its Superbike sister faced its opponents in Australia and a few days before the production model is available in dealerships.

The machine is undeniably beautiful and well finished, with a touch of bestiality provided by its side fins (announced as providing the same support as Marc Márquez's 213 RC2018V), without however giving the "too much" side of a certain Kawasaki turbo.

 

 

 

 

Obviously a more important factor, this 1000 CBR2020RR-R is built on a powerful, very powerful production base, as confirmed by one of the three drivers responsible for driving it to victory in endurance with Mike Di Meglio et Josh Hook, Freddy Foray: “we tested the new Fireblade during the month of January, for a week. We were all waiting for it because we had been a little behind at Honda for a while. Finally, she arrived! Finally, there are horses! Finally, there is performance! About a year ago, the Japanese told us that we already knew this bike because they had based it on the Suzuka eight-hour bike. They didn't lie to us: the engine is incredible, and for those looking for a sporty, high-performance motorcycle, I assure you you're going to get it! And we'll have to go to the gym! »

 

 

 

 

Unlike previous generations where Honda improved its stock motorcycle for competition, this Fireblade was designed to hit the circuits from its genesis, with a stock engine that develops nothing less than 217 horsepower at 14 rpm. .

 

 

 

 

The approach seems rational to try to recover the world title obtained by the Franco-Hispanic-Japanese team at the end of the 2017/2018 season. However, introducing an entirely new motorcycle during the season is always a risky bet, even more so with regard to 24-hour endurance events where results are built, among other things, but always, on the experience acquired. with this or that model of motorcycle.

However, the 24 Heures Motos is already looming and the FCC TSR Honda France team will only be able to count on a few days of running (next Thursday and Friday at Le Mans for “Bridgestone/Dunlop” tests with the SERT and the YART, then the pre-Mans tests on April 1) to test and finalize the sharp-looking motorcycle which will line up at 15 p.m. on April 19 on the straight of the Bugatti circuit.

 

 

 

 

Fabrice Recoque, director of the motorcycle division at Honda France, explains: “Indeed, starting with a new motorcycle is always a special exercise. On the other hand, it is a real desire of the brand, because the FCC TSR Honda France team becomes the official Honda factory team, which means that there is an extremely important role for us to quickly put this motorcycle on the track, knowing that the engineers have developed this motorcycle from the start with reinforced characteristics with a view to participating in racing events. 'endurance. »

“As before, in the previous generation, we were talking about special parts kits to make it run, this one is honestly already a much higher level of preparation than the old one, to be able to go directly to the track. But we obviously know that we are inevitably going to face some plasters and that it will be a little tricky at the start. This week, there will be two days of testing on the Le Mans circuit which is rented by tire manufacturers, and there will also be the two days of pre-Mans. This is obviously not much, but once again this bike has really been designed and prepared with a view to “suffering” for races, including endurance. »

“Normally, the factory does not authorize us to put motorcycles on the track that are not up to standard, but here, the desire is the opposite and it is Honda Motor which asks that the bike be on the starting grids as quickly as possible, and especially during long races. We will therefore try to prepare the bike as best as possible because we have a team which is extremely professional and we have three very high quality riders.

Endurance is not only pure performance, but also the ability to stay on the track for a long time, so we will use all these characteristics of endurance to try to do the best, even if it obviously remains an exercise that will be undoubtedly more difficult than what we have experienced in past years. We are on a long-term commitment and even if our situation in the championship is not very good, we will try to do our best for the remaining races, the goal being to be ready for victory for the Bol d'Or which will arrive very quickly, and obviously, ready for the next championship! »

“I also add thatThis year we will be the official Honda team during the eight hours of Suzuka, where we will have the assurance of having a very sharp motorcycle to represent Honda during this legendary event in Japan. We also hope to have a good performance there! »

In endurance, nothing is ever written in advance, so even if the FCC TSR Honda France team will perhaps, without doubt, have to deal with small teething problems of the CBR1000RR-R #5, nothing says that she will not get out of the game very quickly…

Answer April 20!