Suzuki win WEC title

The Castrol Suzuki team has claimed the 2006 World Endurance Championship with victory at the final round at Magny Cours in france on September 16, 2006.

Suzuki Endurance Racing Team rider Keiichi Kitagwa crossed the finishing like of the Bol d’Or 24 hr race at 3pm local time, 13 laps ahead of nearest rivals Yamaha Austria. The race had been one of the toughest of the year, with wet qualifying sessions followed by a bright, hot and dry start to the race.

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Kitigawa took the final stint to cross the line, marking his retirement from racing with a win and a championship, alongside team-mates Matthieu Lagrive and Vincent Phillipe. British team Yamaha Phase One finished sixth in the race with Nowland, Cudlin and Miinin, but it was disaster for fellow Brits Diablo 666.

The Diablo team has struggled in qualifying and started from 36th place, but had reached an incredbily 7th position, with rider Mark Rohtlaan moving up from 36th to 12th in just an hour. However, six hours into the race, the bike suffered what the team suspect was either a big end failure or damaged piston.

Bol d’Or results:

Suzuki Castrol, Philippe, Kitigawa, Lagrive 785 laps.

Yamaha Austria, Jerman, Scarnato, Giabbani 772 laps.

Team Kawasaki France, Piot, Plater, Ailva 762 laps.

Junior Team Suzuki Metro, Delhalle, Foray 755 laps.

National Motos Honda Protat, Four, Ribalta 752 laps.

Yamaha Phase One, Nowland, Cudlin, Miinin 750 laps.

Team decibels Endurance Cuzin, Giles, Nuques 746 laps.

Metiss JLC Moto, Baratin, Thuret, Cheron 740 laps.

Team Power Bike, Noyes, Huvier, Auger 737 laps.

Aprilia Motociclismo, Aliverti, Pellizzon, Veghini 736 laps.