BMW to contest MotoGP
The President of BMW Motorrad revealed in a recent interview that World Superbikes were simply a stepping stone to contesting a MotoGP world titleBMW Motorrad's most senior employee, Hendrik von Kuenheim, all but confirmed the German motorcycle company's intent to enter a factory team in the world's most prestigious motorcycle championship, the MotoGP, in an official interview with the MotoGP media team.
During the launch of the BMW's new maxi scooters in Europe, the C 600 Sport and C 650 GT, the President of BMW Motorrad, von Kuenheim, explained that the World Superbike (WSBK) Championship was a stepping stone towards a tilt at MotoGP as a factory team.
BMW is currently contesting its fourth year in WSBK, and is positive of making a big step in 2012: "We haven’t won in Superbike yet, but we are close," says von Kuenheim.
"Once we win [WSBK] we will move onto bigger and better things. MotoGP is the most watched motorcycle racing in the world. Next to F1, it is the benchmark for motor racing. But if you look at individual races and the number of spectators attending, such as in Jerez or Assen, there is no race in F1 in the world that even comes close to the number of spectators.
"So it’s a clear platform for us and we have to think about it. It’s a substantial step," stated the BMW Motorrad chief.
BMW will make a debut of sorts in the MotoGP this year as an engine supplier to Claiming Rule Team (CRT) Suter, and while von Kuenheim is positive about BMW's involvement, he stressed that it is not BMW's endeavour: "We are going to see how Mr. Suter does, as this is his initiative. Obviously he gets some support from BMW, but it is his project. It will be interesting to understand [and] watch how it goes and to see the potential of his project.
"I believe with the new rules and regulations that have come into effect now, our engine, with the bore as well as the one litre displacement, is very suited to MotoGP racing. But racing is expensive, so we have to think about it!" concluded von Kuenheim with a smile.
Can BMW wins the WSBK title in the next three year, and if so, will we see a factory MotoGP prototype bike from Beemer in the next five years? Have your say in the comments below.
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