World Endurance is in great shape for 2010! Beating the mellow international economic context, the 2010 Qtel FIM Endurance World Championship takes an all-new dimension.

The FIM is delighted to welcome this season thirty-two permanent teams – this highly busy starting grid constitutes a new record in the whole history of the Endurance World Championship.

“Despite the world economic crisis, our Qtel FIM Endurance World Championship is getting stronger day after day,” said FIM president Vito Ippolito.

The FIM commitment towards the championship and all the organiser’s efforts has been rewarded not only by a stronger interest from the teams, but also from bike manufacturers and tyre suppliers.

BMW joins the championship with great ambition, as four permanent teams will race on the new S 1000 RR, like the official Michelin BMW team and the semi-official Penz13.com.

Amongst permanent teams newcomers and strong contenders for the 2010 title, we are pleased to welcome back two world champions: the SERT, Suzuki Endurance Racing Team and the Yamaha France GMT 94. The Spanish from Yamaha Folch Endurance and newcomers Honda BMP Elf 99 are also great challengers.

The competition will also be on the tyres suppliers’ side, as Japanese manufacturer Bridgestone is joining the battle alongside three other brands, Dunlop, Michelin and Pirelli.

The thirty-two permanent team will take part in the full series of the 2010 Qtel FIM Endurance World Championship (Suzuka 8 Hours remains a facultative race), which will start on 17-18 April in France with the 24 Hours of Le Mans.