BMW has announced they are leaving World Superbike competition at the end of 2013.
According to their press release, the move comes as part of their company’s “strategic realignment in motorsport.” The release says they plan to strengthen the international customer sports program instead, whatever that means.
Their release also states “BMW Motorrad will now focus on the further expansion of the very successful product portfolio over 500 cc, the expansion of product segments under 500 cc, e-mobility and the development of market potential in emerging economies like Brazil and Asia.” Then, more interestingly: “Only those who act consistently today are well prepared for the challenges of tomorrow.”
Those statements almost sound as if the Germans are going to start producing lower-priced bikes for the masses, and racing doesn’t fit into that program.
Of course, news of the WSBK program’s demise would certainly come as a blow to Chaz Davies and Marco Melandri, but you’ve also got to wonder if BMW is going to follow up with a drop in racing sponsorship worldwide. They’ve certainly been the most successful manufacturer in CSBK’s pro superbike class for the last couple of years, and an end to their sponsorship there would be bad news for Canadian roadracing.
Since entering WSBK in 2009, BMW has taken 11 wins and 33 podiums with their S1000RR superbike.
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It seems that wsbk,the most interesting racing going on for the last while will be the losers as well as the motoring fans of this series.The nascar station only covers the other series while we miss the better racing,seems like the lack of adverts also hurt companies especially in North America.I can only hope for teams to purhase engines etc to keep BMW flying a flag and wsbk comes back to our tv screens soon
“Those statements almost sound as if the Germans are going to start producing lower-priced bikes for the masses, and racing doesn’t fit into that program.”
They’re certainly missing the boat in Asia, Indonesia and Malaysia. Those markets amount to “race on Sunday, sell 10,000 on Monday”. BMW obviously wasn’t paying attention last year when Syahrin in Moto2 and Khairuddin in Moto3 did wonderfully well at Sepang and the entire country subsequently went bonkers.
Disapointing! Whats the point of having the most powerful and advanced superbike if you dont race it!