The unveiling of this poster, which launches the promotional campaign for the 24 Heures Motos, comes just a few days after the announcement that the Potimao 12 Hours initially scheduled for mid-March has been postponed until the 2017-2018 season. With the new format of the world endurance calendar the Le Mans event becomes the second round of the 2016-2017 FIM WEC after the Bol d’Or held in September.
The winter break now extended by a month gives the top teams more time to prepare their new bikes, while the others can fine-tune their preparation to arrive in an even more competitive state of readiness at the 24 Heures Motos.
Dominique Meliand, team manager of SERT, the reigning world champion and winner of the opening round of the 2016-2017 FIM WEC, talks about the preparation of his 2017 machine: “We’re really just in the early stages. We’re going to get the parts for our new bike in January. Then we’ll do a fair amount of testing as we’re determined to put on a good show. We scored a victory in the Bol d’Or in September and we’d like to win the 24 Heures Motos. The postponement of the Portimao 12 Hours is going to help us to ramp up testing in March to be ready for the 24 Heures Motos. We’re determined to be among the front-runners and win with our new bike.”
Gilles Stafler, the reigning winner of the 24 Heures Motos and team manager of SRC Kawasaki, is feeling quietly confident. “The postponement of the Portimao round hasn’t had any impact on our preparations as we’re not racing in the full FIM WEC, only the French events. We’re pushing ahead with the preparation of the bike with several technical evolutions for 2017. We’re going to have a lot of work this winter, but we’re in the right frame of mind and determined to retain our title in the 24 Heures Motos. We’re also working on our rider line-up, and discussions are on-going to find our third rider to share the bike with Matthieu Gines and Fabien Foret.”
While the teams are working flat out to get ready for the restart of the endurance season, it’s the same story for the ACO, which today unveiled the official poster for the 2017 24 Heures Motos.
For the second year running the graphic design is the fruit of collaboration between the Automobile Club de l’Ouest and the Le Mans-based communications agency, Machin Bidule.
The sporting challenge is once again at the heart of this poster, which fuels the desire of fans and ordinary spectators alike to come and enjoy this excitement-packed event.
It is the perfect reflection of the enthusiasm and passion generated by this race with:
- The totally innovative structural framing using an aerial view, which has never been done before in motor sports.
- The very sporty presentation of the bikes adds speed to the moves and overtaking in the race, which always provide extremely spectacular action,
- The battle between the major manufacturers that creates the fervour surrounding the 24 Heures Motos,
- The repetition of the 2015 cues which consolidates the graphic identity of the event.
This unveiling launches the promotional campaign for the 24 Heures Motos, the blue-riband event on the world endurance calendar, and a marvellous festive occasion for everybody!