World Champion’s Wagon – Inside Mani Lettenbichler’s race van

Enduro21 takes a closer look inside the KTM Factory Racing team’s Sprinter van supporting Mani Lettenbichler in (some) Hard Enduro World Championship races.

Away from the biggest Hard Enduro World Championship events, KTM Factory Racing’s enduro team support Mani Lettenhbichler with a simple, old school set-up of a van and an easy-up.

Gone are some of the luxuries afforded with the big rig articulated truck, instead everything is crammed into a long wheelbase van and driven across Europe to the race.

While the huge presence at the major events like Erzbergrodeo each year by KTM Factory Racing, the lower-key the Sprinter van and awning we see at many of the quieter races in the HEWC calendar is fascinating viewing.

Chiefly because it is dream world for the rest of us who might have a van to carry our bikes to the races, but can only dream of it being kitted out like this.

The crewcab, long wheelbase Mercedes Sprinter van is used by the Farioli team to cart Mani’s bike, kit and all possible spares (and then some) to events like Valleys Hard Enduro, Getzen Rodeo or Xross in Serbia where the team has a smaller presence.

It saves KTM money of course but also creates a seemingly relaxed atmosphere where things are more intimate for the team, which remains one of the good things about our sport that the very best in the world are so accessible in a paddock.

But what’s in it? Enduro21 caught up with Mani’s dad, the original Letti, who basically just opened the doors wide to let us see what they carry to events…

“Everything except the main frame”

It’s pretty simple, inside this van is everything, usually several times over, you might need to rebuild and/or fix a KTM 300 EXC. Everything except the main frame, which (we think) is not allowed under FIM rules.

Everything else though is in here including a spare engine, complete swingarm (ready to fit with chain guide, disc guard and axle), and countless consumable parts like bars, brake pads, sprockets and have you counted how many expansion chambers and silencer end cans there are?

Stacked in boxes are power tools, wash kit, filter washing and oiling tubs, plus an air compressor and air line, a jet washer in there also, all the fluids and fuels and a fire extinguisher.

You’ll also see Mani’s kit, bike stands and the stacked rung of spare wheels, tyres and mousses. They naturally carry different tyre and mousse choices depending on the race and in case of different dirt or weather conditions.

When it’s all over the bike obviously gets loaded in but so do all the awnings, tables, chairs and personal kit for the rider. We particularly loved the details of how tapes are easily accessible and the backing plates on teh van side to which it is all attached.

And this is alongside the WP Suspension Sprinter van which is basically a mobile workshop and can also be used for any more meaningful mechanical work if needed.

Photo Credit: Future7Media | Andrea Belluschi