Bikes

Gallery: 2016 Suzuki Endurance Racing Team (SERT) GSX-R1000

2015 FIM Endurance World Championship team has won 13 titles on GSX-R machinery

April 20, 2016

The Suzuki Endurance Racing Team (SERT) is the most successful team in the World Endurance Championship series, with 14 world titles since 1983. Scroll through the gallery below and you will see one reason why the team has been so successful: The Suzuki GSX-R1000 equipment is immaculately prepared and features numerous details aimed at success in the very specific environment of endurance racing.

SERT is based in Le Mans, France, and has won 14 world championships. Thirteen of those have been on GSX-R equipment, with the lone standout being the team's first title, in 1983; that was won using a Suzuki GS1000.Courtesy of Suzuki

The team's GSX-R1000 uses a mix of aftermarket parts, including a factory Suzuki close-ratio transmission; the camshafts, ECU, clutch and exhaust are all from Yoshimura. WEC rules allow modifications to the cylinder head, but the SERT bike's crank, valves and fuel injection are all standard Suzuki items.Courtesy of Suzuki

The GSX-R1000's chassis features OZ wheels, endurance-spec Nissin brakes (310mm discs up front), and Ohlins suspension. The rear suspension linkage, clip-ons, axles, grips and levers are all Suzuki Factory items.Courtesy of Suzuki

This year's WEC championship consists of four events: The 24 Hours of Le Mans, the 12 Hours of Portimao, the Suzuki 8 Hours, and the 8 Hours of Oschersleben.Courtesy of Suzuki

Riding for the team this year - all three returning from 2015 - are Vincent Philippe, Anthony Delhalle and Etienne Masson. The team won the WEC championship last year, with a victory at Le Mans, podium finishes at Oschersleben and the Bol d'Or, and a fourth-place finish at the hotly contested Suzuka race.Courtesy of Suzuki

At the first race this year, the 24 Hours of Le Mans, the team suffered two crashes with two lengthy pit stops to make repairs. As low as 53rd in the standings at one point (of 57 teams), the team made its way back to finish fifth in the race.Courtesy of Suzuki

With quick-change equipment, the team can fill the 24-liter fuel tank and change both wheels in less than 20 seconds. At the 2015 Le Mans race, the team pitted 26 times for a total of 36.2 minutes.Courtesy of Suzuki

While there is no spec tire ruling in the WEC, there are rules that limit the number of tires a team may use over the course of the event. This limit typically requires the teams to use the same tires for two one-hour stints on track. SERT uses Dunlop tires.Courtesy of Suzuki

While the MotoGP race in Qatar is held at night, the circuit is entirely illuminated; this is not the case in the World Endurance Championship, and riders often have only their own headlights to see by.Courtesy of Suzuki

Perhaps a bit premature...Courtesy of Suzuki