Despite heavy rain, qualifying for the second-last round of the World Endurance Championship (EWC) season got off to a successful start with Marvin Fritz and his YART Yamaha teammates securing second place. Fritz: "Five consecutive poles had not brought us luck in the race. Second place should be more promising." 

For the warm-up, the YART Yamaha squad showed up in a new outfit. Celebrating 60 years of racing at Yamaha, the bikes' paintwork and leather suits were made in retro design. 

Due to start difficulties Fritz lined up at the beginning of the 24-hour race at the end of the field of riders, but then proved his good performance in the subsequent catch-up - from position 23 to position 4 in a few laps. Another 10 laps later Fritz was only three seconds behind the leading groups. Unfortunately, the dream of a podium finish went up in smoke shortly before three in the morning "At around 300km/h it did a thump, a cloud of smoke followed from the engine, my boot was smeared with oil and I had no more engine power," said Fritz. Despite his efforts to push the Yamaha back to the pits in a twenty-minute walk, the YART technicians could only announce the end. Nevertheless, the team scored 15 points and is in tenth place with 47 points one race before the end of the season.