2011 Endurance World Championship
The Honda TT Legends team is known for its talent: 17-time Isle of Man TT winner John McGuinness, and IOM TT stars Keith Amor and Cameron Donald (riding for injured Steve Plater).
Although the star lineup is only 13th in the 2011 Endurance World Championship with two rounds remaining, the team is a crowd favorite.
And the Honda TT Legends team will continue to entertain the crowds this weekend at one of the most famous motorcycle road races – the 24 Hours of Le Mans in France.
The Honda TT Legends has some luck with 24 hour races; at the only other one on the 2011 EWC schedule, the Bol d’Or in France, the team placed fifth.
But with a recent two-day test at the famed circuit, the Honda TT Legends team will be searching to better that 24-hours finish, and are hopeful to complete the Le Mans race inside the top four.
Following are what the riders and Honda TT Legends Team Manager Neil Tuxworth are saying as the team heads to Le Mans 24 Hours in France this weekend (Sept. 23-24).
John McGuinness (Honda TT Legends CBR 1000 RR) says: “I can’t wait to get back to endurance racing. We’ve already taken part in some classic events this year and Le Mans is another iconic race at a famous circuit so I’m looking forward to it.
“I competed in the Le Mans 24-hour in 2004 and we tested at the track a couple of weeks ago, so I know what it’s about and I know that it will be tough. We’re looking for a solid result at this race. We’ve had a bit of bad luck over the last couple of events so this time we really want to do a nice tidy job, bring the bike home and finish in a decent position.”
Keith Amor (Honda TT Legends CBR1000RR) says: “I am looking forward to taking part in such a famous event – it will definitely be a tick off the list of things I have always wanted to do. The Bol d’Or was tougher than I ever could have imagined and I plan to approach Le Mans in a very different way to make sure I reserve my energy.
“It’s a marathon not a sprint! We’ve been working with our team physio to prepare ahead of the race and hopefully this will stand us in good stead. I can’t wait to be back with the endurance team.”
Cameron Donald (Honda TT Legends CBR1000RR) says: “I’m really excited about doing my first 24-hour race. We had a positive test a couple of weeks ago, which was my first experience of the Le Mans circuit and it really is a fantastic track.
“There aren’t a lot of places to rest so it’s going to be tough but there are plenty of passing spots and it’s great to ride. I went to the Bol d’Or as reserve rider for the TT Legends so I didn’t race but the atmosphere there was amazing. I’m really looking forward to getting out there and racing at Le Mans.”
Neil Tuxworth says: “The Le Mans 24-hour is one of the most famous races on the World Endurance calendar and it’s an event that the team is very excited about. We feel that we have learned a lot this season, particularly having finished the 24-hour race at the Bol d’Or in April where we came fifth. We’d like to not only finish the Le Mans 24-hour, we’d also like to improve on our position and the target is to be inside the top four. I feel confident that with the experience of the team and riders over the past few months, this should be an achievable objective.”
