Last July, when BMW announced they were leaving WSBK, the question was – why? And what else did they have coming? Would they stop sponsoring grassroots roadracing, like CSBK, as well?
Now, we’ve got a slightly better idea of what’s going on. BMW actually looks like they’re planning to get more involved at the ground level of racing with their new BMW Motorrad Race Trophy. This program will be their own competition for privateers around the world who are riding BMWs in national or international championships (including CSBK! See below!). Their points will be collected from their individual races, and put towards the BMW Motorrad Race Trophy championship. At the year’s end, the world’s top BMW privateer will be crowned the winner.
For the competition’s first season, it’s open to BMW privateers who contest in 15 different championships and events around the world, including WSBK and the Isle of Man TT. BMW uses a formula to calculate the points they collect for the results they achieved in the single race events; In an end-of-year ceremony, the 15 riders with the most points will be rewarded a trophy and a prize money cheque.
Entry is now open to all interested privateers on machines based on the S1000 RR or HP4. Riders must be enrolled in one of the races listed below, although they plan to add more eligible championships in the future. It’s free to enter, although you’ve obviously got to buy the bike …
Race series eligible for BMW Motorrad Race Trophy
1. FIM Superbike World Championship (WSBK)
2. FIM Superstock 1000 Cup (WSTK)
3. FIM Endurance World Championship (EWC)
4. FIM Spanish Superbike Championship (CEV)
5. FIM Sidecar World Championship (SWC)
6. Brazilian Superbike Championship (BRSBK)
7. British Superbike Championship (BSB)
8. Canadian Superbike Championship (CSBK)
9. French Superbike Championship (FSBK)
10. International German Superbike Championship (IDM)
11. Italian Superbike Championship (CIV)
12. Japanese Road Race Championship (MFJ)
13. South African Motorcycle Championship (SAM)
14. Isle of Man Tourist Trophy (TT)
15. Macau Grand Prix (MGP)
[…] told you already about BMW’s global privateer competition, that sees riders around the world racking up points in their respective series to win a trophy and […]
[…] Rob MacLennan A few weeks ago, we announced BMW’s new competition for privateers racing their machinery, and said CSBK […]
Call me a cynic, but this seems like BMW trying to create their own specialty programming, ala RedBull, or Monster where they can ‘maximize their brand exposure’ in a made for TV/Web publicity stunt. Were they not getting the results needed on the world circuit? I saw some of the BMW infomercial stuff on RadX TV, and this smells the same.
Seems CSBK is only series in N/A. Could we see lots of interest from USA competitors, or would it be restricted to Canadians? Imagine – huge grids, new pavement everywhere at SMP… (I did say, imagine)