Bartosz Zmarzlik, a three-time FIM Speedway Grand Prix world champion, experienced two-wheeled action of a different kind today (Tuesday) when he rode a Yamaha for leading FIM Endurance World Championship squad Wójcik Racing Team.

The 28-year-old joined the EWC podium-placing Polish outfit at the Tor Poznań circuit during Speed Day, a track day event Wójcik Racing Team has been using as part of its preparations for next week’s 24H SPA EWC Motos, round two of the 2023 EWC season.

Zmarzlik completed four 20-minute sessions onboard the team’s Yamaha YZF-R3, a training bike used by Wójcik junior rider Mateusz Molik, a 16-year-old who won the opening European Supersport 300 Alpe Adria event at the Slovakia Ring two weeks ago. 

The Speedway hero took to the track under the watchful eye of FIM EWC racer and reigning Polish Superbike champion Marek Szkopek, with whom he famously swapped bikes for a day back in 2019.

Wójcik Racing Team EWC riders Christoffer Bergman and Sheridan Morais were also in attendance with both successfully completing their first laps after returning to action from injury.

The FIM Endurance World Championship is delighted to be shining a spotlight on FIM Sustainability Week, which begins on a very significant day of the year. 

Monday 5 June is World Environmental Day (WED) and Federation Internationale de Motocyclisme (FIM) is marking the occasion by launching its annual FIM Sustainability Week.

Organised every year since 1974, WED focusses on one major theme each year and for 2023 it is centred around finding solutions for plastic pollution.

And history will be made on the opening day of FIM Sustainability Week with the presentation of the first FIM Sustainability Report, highlighting the steps that FIM has taken towards objectives identified in the 2021 to 2025 ‘The Future in Pole Position’ sustainability strategy.

Over the last three decades FIM has been working to make motorcycle sport more sustainable and inclusive and the FIM Sustainability Report is a vital tool in assessing its current position and identifying the next steps that need to be taken.

Sustainability is intrinsically linked to the environment and climate change, but FIM is approaching the subject from a ‘real-world’ perspective and looking at ways its community is affected by these issues to search for solutions.

Among other initiatives highlighted in the Sustainability Report is the work of the FIM International Sustainability Commission (CID) which, as part of its remit, monitors advances in technology and environmental best management practices. The FIM Academy which supports the provision of education and training opportunities also features, as does the programme to promote sustainable development through motorcycle tourism.

This year marks the first time Japan has joined FIM Sustainability Week and this momentous occasion is highlighted by work supported by the Motorcycle Federation of Japan (MFJ), including the recent Keep it Shiny and Sustainable (KiSS) initiative at the TrialGP of Japan and the Sunset Touring Rally around Mount Fuji.

A charity auction was held along with an on-stage symposium featuring guest panellists Mr Hideki Ishida, Honorary Professor of Tohoku University, Ms Takako Shirai, singer and Environmental Ambassador of Kanagawa and Mr Shinji Kazama, a motorcycle adventurer and representative of Japan Riders Forum.

There was also a stage show with performances from the Zi-Pang Samurai music group, flautist Ms Miyuki Tozuka and yoga instructor Yuco.

Kattia Juárez, CID Director, said: “It is our third consecutive year dedicating a week to celebrate our achievements in the area of sustainability. In our organisation we are backing sustainability from different points: National Federations, promoters, different departments and more and more they join all the activities that we celebrate from the FIM or from any part of the planet.

“I am delighted to have Japan join in the celebrations with a tourism event that is fully dedicated to the coexistence relationship between motorcyclists and nature. In addition, this first day we will launch our first FIM Sustainability Report. Stay tuned for the following days because more and more activities are coming.”

Gautier de Stoppani, CSR Director for the events division of Warner Bros. Discovery Sports, said: “As a key step in Warner Bros. Discovery Sports’ commitment to a better future, we are very pleased to be working with the FIM in highlighting the importance of implementing sustainable practices at sporting events. We are committed to develop and deliver our sustainability and social responsibilities. Sustainable development of our planet is a necessity, and our purpose is to be sustainable in the areas where we operate.”

Follow the links below for more on the EWC’s Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) strategy: