Gino Rea will make a welcome return to competitive action in the FIM Endurance World Championship for 2024, 18 months on from almost losing his life in an accident while competing in the Suzuka 8 Hours.

The former Moto2, WorldSSP and BSB rider will rejoin the Wojcik Racing Team he previously raced with in 2019, famously contributing to a famous maiden podium result for the Polish team in the blue riband Bol d’Or.

He will form part of a four-strong rider line-up competing on a Superstock-spec Honda CBR1000RR-R alongside South African racer Sheridan Morais, former Grand Prix racer Danny Webb and MotoE racer Kevin Manfredi.

Kicking off his season with the Le Mans 24 Heures in April, it will be Rea’s first race outing since his accident at Suzuka in August 2022 while competing with the FCC TSR Honda team.

Rea suffered a litany of serious injuries after crashing heavily during a free practice session around the Japanese venue, including serious head trauma and swelling on the brain. 

After spending several days in an induced coma, Rea went on to spend a month in hospital before returning to the UK to continue a lengthy rehabilitation process.

It is a path to recovery that Rea will finally complete when he begins testing the Honda, with Wojcik bosses only too pleased to facilitate that opportunity for him.

“We are extremely excited to announce such a strong Superstock line-up and to welcome Gino back in the Wójcik Racing Team,” said team founder Grzegorz Wójcik. “We are looking to build on our strong 2023 result and challenge at the front again. 

“Our riders are not only very fast but also very experienced, which will be very important as we learn and develop our new Honda motorcycles. 

“Both the 777 and the all-Polish 77 crew are keen to get to work and Le Mans can’t come soon enough.”

Sławomir Kubzdyl, Wójcik Racing Team co-owner, added: “Gino knew that our bike will always wait for him whenever he feels ready to return to action and I always knew that he will come back to racing. 

“I’m glad that this day has come and at such an exciting time for us as a team. Gino is a true racer and a perfect fit for Kevin, Danny and Sheridan, who all have been with us for years now and we are absolutely thrilled to have all of them continue with us for 2024.“

“With the new rules allowing four riders to race in the Superstock class, we are confident that the experience and speed of our line-up will help us to fight at the front and develop our project in both categories.”