Long-distance races appeared around the same time as the internal combustion engine at the end of the 19th century, with events held between major cities such as Paris-Rouen in 1894, Paris-Bordeaux, Paris-Madrid, and others. Initially, cars and motorcycles raced together, competing for speed or regularity. These open-road races were very dangerous; successive fatal tragedies such as the 1903 Paris-Madrid led to a move toward roads closed to normal traffic and ultimately to the separation of cars and motorcycles, with long-distance races evolving into rallies.
The Bol d'Or, the most famous and prestigious endurance race, was first held in 1922 on the circuit of Vaujours, near Paris — a beaten-earth road circuit used since 1888 for 24-hour bicycle competitions. After World War II, further endurance races were established: the 24 Hour Race in Warsage, Belgium in 1951; the 500 Miles of Thruxton in 1955; the 24 Hours of Montjuich in Barcelona in 1957; and the 24 Hours of Monza in Italy in 1959. While most early races ran over 24 hours, shorter formats defined by distance (500 Miles, 1000 Miles, 200 Miles) or duration (12 Hours, 8 Hours, 6 Hours) were introduced over time.
The series was founded in 1960 as the FIM Endurance Cup, initially comprising four races: Thruxton 500, 24 Hours of Montjuïc, 24 Hours of Warsage, and the Bol d'Or. The Bol d'Or was not held between 1961 and 1968, during which time the 1000 km of Paris was held twice on the circuit of Montlhéry. In its first decade, FIM Endurance Cup races were held primarily in Great Britain, Italy, and Spain.
In 1976, the FIM Endurance Cup became the European Championship, and in 1980 it was elevated to a World Championship. During the 1980s, the Endurance World Championship calendar expanded to as many as ten events. Popularity gradually declined, and the calendar was reduced to four so-called "classics": the 24 Hours of Le Mans, the 24 Hours of Liège (held at Spa-Francorchamps), the 8 Hours of Suzuka, and the Bol d'Or. In 1989 and 1990 the championship reverted to World Cup status because the number of events required by the FIM Sporting Code was not reached. The four-event format — with the 24 Hours of Liège eventually replaced by other races — was maintained until 2016. In 2015, FIM and pan-European television sports network Eurosport signed a deal for the promotion and coverage of the competition. The championship was reorganised so that the season began in September and finished in July, with European races scheduled during the winter to avoid conflicts with MotoGP and Superbikes schedules.
All motorcycles must be based on road-going models with a valid FIM homologation.
Formula EWC is the top category. Bikes carry a black number plate background and white-light headlamps, with a minimum weight of 175 kg. Performance improvements during the race are permitted. While the overall appearance of the bike cannot deviate from the homologated model, the fork, damper, swing-arm, brakes, radiator, and exhaust may be modified, and teams are given considerable freedom to enhance engine performance. The chassis is equipped with a quick wheel change system. Eligible displacements: 4-cylinder over 600 cc up to 1000 cc (4-stroke); 3-cylinder over 750 cc up to 1000 cc (4-stroke); 2-cylinder over 850 cc up to 1200 cc (4-stroke). Bore and stroke modifications to reach class limits are not allowed.
Superstock machines carry a red number plate background and yellow-light headlamps, with a minimum weight of 175 kg. These machines are nearly identical to production bikes. The engine is supplied by the manufacturer with very limited modifications permitted — injector jets and fuel mapping, clutch reinforcement, and a different exhaust silencer. Wheels must remain as homologated. Eligible displacements: 3- and 4-cylinder over 750 cc up to 1000 cc (4-stroke); 2-cylinder over 850 cc up to 1200 cc (4-stroke).
In both Formula EWC and Superstock, the fuel tank is modified to a maximum capacity of 24 litres and fitted with a quick refuelling device.
The Experimental category uses a green number plate background and yellow-light headlamps, with a minimum weight of 165 kg. It includes motorcycles whose engine, main frame, or suspension is completely different from the original models. These machines appear in the general classification of the event but are not classified in the World Endurance Championship standings. Participation is subject to deliberation by the Race Selection Committee, which assesses technical and innovative merit. This category can also include electrical machines. Eligible displacements: 4-cylinder over 600 cc up to 1000 cc (4-stroke); 3-cylinder over 750 cc up to 1000 cc (4-stroke).
The Production World Trophy is the entry-level and most affordable category in the FIM Endurance World Championship. Bikes carry a blue number plate background and yellow-light headlamps, with a minimum weight of 165 kg. These motorcycles are similar to the production machines they are based on, sharing many original components including the fuel tank and electronics. Fuel tanks are replaced during pit stops using a rapid safety connector rather than being refilled, and are limited to 16 litres. Bikes must observe a minimum pitstop time for safety reasons. Dunlop is the exclusive tyre supplier for the class. Eligible displacements: 3- and 4-cylinder up to 1000 cc (4-stroke); 2-cylinder up to 1200 cc (4-stroke).
Points are awarded to determine three World Championships: riders, teams, and manufacturers. For manufacturers, only the highest-placed motorcycle from each manufacturer scores points, based on its race position. In races lasting between 12 and 24 hours, the top 10 teams after 8 hours and 16 hours receive bonus points; manufacturers are not eligible for these bonus points. At each race, the top 5 teams on the starting grid receive bonus points.
This article is based solely on the supplied corpus. No external sources were consulted; claims that could not be substantiated against the corpus were omitted under the drop-the-claim rule.