BMW Motorrad riders enjoy continued success in the IDM.

-  Backed by BMW Motorrad HP RaceSupport, BMW teams keep celebrating victories and podium finishes

 – Munich experts on duty also at the Isle of Man TT.
 

 BMW is on the right path in its mission to defend the title in the International German Motorcycle Championship IDM. Three of the eight rounds of the 2013 season are now complete, with BMW Motorrad HP RaceSuppport backed BMW teams and riders continuing to claim wins and podium finishes as per previous years.


In the fiercely competitive IDM Superbike category, BMW heads the manufacturers’ classification with a big lead. In the riders’ classification, the three top spots are occupied by BMW riders. Five of the six races so far have been won by a BMW S 1000 RR rider and 13 of the total 18 podium positions have gone to BMW teams.
 

The most recent successes of the BMW customers were celebrated last weekend at the third round at Oschersleben (GER). BMW riders claimed five of the six possible podium finishes. In the first of the two races, Markus Reiterberger (GER / VanZon Remeha BMW) and Damian Cudlin (AUS / RAC Racing) rode their RRs to second and third places respectively.


 The race was won by Yamaha rider Matej Smrz (CZE). Stefan Nebel (GER) finished a strong fourth with the brand new BMW HP 4 entered by the Wilbers BMW Racing Team. The bike is equipped with the innovative electronic damping control DDC. Dutchman Kevin Valk also finished within the top five. He rides the second RR of the RAC Racing Team. Nebel’s team-mate Lucy Glöckner (GER) crossed the line with her HP4 in a strong seventh place.
 

In the second race at Oschersleben, the BMW riders were even more successful. They contested the top positions among themselves, finishing in all top five places. The race was won by reigning champion Erwan Nigon (FRA / VanZon Remeha Racing). Cudlin and Reiterberger were also on the podium, crossing the line in second and third. Arie Vos (NED / VanZon alpha Technik BMW by Herpigny) finished fourth on his BMW S 1000 RR, while Valk was again fifth.


BMW heads the manufacturers’ standings after three rounds with 246 points. The advantage to the second placed manufacturer Yamaha (136 points) is 110 points. In the riders’ classification, Cudlin is leading with 122 points. The Australian has won three of the six races contested so far. Second position is occupied by Reiterberger (100 points). The young German celebrated his first victory in the IDM Superbike at the second round at Zolder (BEL). Reigning champion Nigon currently sits in third with 72 points.


“It is great that the BMW team in the IDM Superbike are celebrating these impressive results this year again. These successes are by no means a matter of course in a highly contested category like the IDM Superbike”, explains Berthold Hauser, General Manager BMW Motorrad HP RaceSupport.


“All our customer teams have a wealth of racing experience and fast, talented riders. Our specialists support them with their expertise in specific and complex areas and tasks. This combination is the key for the successes. For quite a while now, the RR has been the bike to beat in the IDM Superbike but the new HP4 is getting stronger and stronger.


Here the further development of the DDC, on which we work intensively with several teams and the specialists from the stock development, bears fruit. We are making good progress in optimising the electronic damping system, which is already set up for extensive and perfect stock and road use, for the very specific requirements of racing to the limits in the Superbike-class.”

 
Over the last weeks, the BMW Motorrad HP RaceSupport specialists have also been in action at the legendary Tourist Trophy on the British Isle of Man. This road racing classic was first staged back in 1907 and is regarded as being the oldest motorcycle race in the world. The 37.73 miles long road course is a hard test for the bikes and a real challenge for the riders, who start in several races and categories.


At this year’s TT, BMW Motorrad HP RaceSupport successfully helped the Penz13.com BMW Racing Team. Rider Steve Mercer made impressive proof of the potential of the new BMW HP4. The Brit only narrowly missed victory in the overall classification of the privateers, for which the results of the whole racing week count, as he did not score points at the final Senior-TT after he had to retire due to an issue with the clutch.


Before in the week, Mercer had won the privateers’ classification in the Superbike-TT as well as in the Superstock-TT.

 
Danilo Coglianese