57 Teams – Folch Yamaha, Català Suzuki, KTM RC8, BMW HP2...

This just in from our man in Spain, Mark:

The Catalunya Circuit will be the place to be for endurance fans on the first weekend of July, when the traditional Barcelona 24 Hores race (first run in 1955 but not part of the FIM championship since 1982) takes place. The race is incredibly popular amongst the Barcelona bike community; it's our race, we love it!

The entry list of 57 teams has now been announced, and is available in full here: http://aplicacions.circuitcat.com/Esportiva/FitxersCurses/2008/inscrits_24h_08.pdf

There are some strong teams, at a level close to that found in the World Endurance Championship. Folch Yamaha (with just one bike) and Català Suzuki are the favourites for victory; expect a hard fight between No.4 and No.2. Catala Suzuki are also hoping to compete in this year's Bol d'Or in September.

Last year's winners, Team Cop de Gas Honda (No.1) will not be chasing victory after a failed sponsor caused them many financial problems; they don't have good enough riders or a high enough performance bike, so expect to see them at the back of the field.

Two other strong competitors have stepped up to take their place: Bruno Performance, with bikes No.24 and No.26 (the latter is the faster of the two) and Ducati Barcelona - Floreal Competició with the No.8 1198R is a SERIOUS contender. You don't need to be a fan to expect a Desmo machine to be fighting for the victory: Ducati have won the Barcelona 24H 11 times in the past.

Other Interesting Teams

Brit Damien Rowley will run with MCS Racing.

Decibels Endurance are back in order to win the STK class and to try to take a rostrum place. The fight in STK is between Decibels and No.5 Scratch Racing, Promobarno Totmoto 2 (Honda No.9) and the Monlau KTM, No.17

A BMW HP2 has been entered by Busquets Team, with factory rider Jose Luis Nion at the controls.

Two KTM RC8 1200s! Bikes number 17 and 71 will run in the STK class for team Monlau, a world famous racing school for mechanics.

Two women are entered, one on the No.45 bike and the other on No.71.

Rider Daniel Guzmán (Ducati No.95) is a famous TV and film actor here in Spain.

There are three "Academy” teams (formed by students from High Schools): bikes No.26, 94 and 95.

A police team (like every year) will compete, bike No.88.

Eight French teams and one Italian team will join the home grown talent.

And finally

Formula WEC, following FIM rules, has been included as an entry class this year. It is expected replace SBK from 2009 onwards.

Best of all, entry to the event is free! If you're anywhere near Barcelona on the weekend of the 4th to the 6th of July, get down to Catalunya...

Les 24 Hores Frigo de Motociclisme