BMW edges closer to leaders

After its best result yet in the World Superbike Championship at Valencia last weekend, when Tory Corser held on to fourth place finish in the first race, Team BMW Motorrad Motorsport is growing in confidence.

The crew seem to be getting their heads around the BMW S 1000 RR race bike and the setups needed to deliver consistent race pace, and as the team's technical director Rainer Bäumel explained, they are closing the gap with the leading teams.

"From a technical standpoint, the recent tests and race weekends have been extremely positive as a whole. Our test data and race results show that our calm and thorough way of working is, step by step, bringing us closer to the leading teams," said Bäumel.

Another fillip for Team BMW Motorrad Motorsport is the changes made to the traction control software: "The new software enables the traction control to work to optimum effect and reduces chassis movements," continued Bäumel. "And that makes it easier for our riders to take corners faster and more cleanly mid-drift."

"Troy was extremely focused over the whole weekend at Valencia. In the first race he launched the bike off the start line straight into the lead. And later on he defended his fourth place successfully, in a spectacular battle with Noriyuki Haga. In a nutshell, Troy has done a fantastic job ... I'm very proud of what he's doing, and working with him is a lot of fun."

Bäumel confirmed that the team was constantly testing the bike and that certain tracks suited the S 1000 RR more than others. "The potential of the bike depends to a large degree on the characteristics of the different circuits.

"Our aim is to get as much as we can out of the bike given the circumstances at each particular track. Over the last few weeks we've been racing at circuits where we've struggled in the past. With that in mind, it's very promising to have delivered good performances at both Portimão and Valencia.

"When we get to places like Monza, Silverstone, the Nürburgring and Magny- Cours, we're sure to reap the rewards of the advances we're making at present," said Bäumel.

"Our testing team are currently in action at Mugello, then comes the race weekend at Assen, followed by more testing at Misano. I'm sure we'll learn more important things about the bike over this period."

If the motor racing gods smile upon the team, and bike development continues at this pace, there could well be a podium finish for Australian rider Troy Corser in the very near future.