The people in charge of the Canadian Superbike national roadracing series have confirmed BMW’s latest-generation superbikes will be eligible for competition in 2022.
That’s right—superbikes, plural. Not only is the S1000 RR superbike approved, but the upgraded M1000 RR superbike is also given the green light for competition next season.
It’s good news. BMW’s profile has slipped in CSBK in the past couple of years, with a Kawasaki taking the title in 2020 and a Suzuki atop the heap in 2021. To be clear, it’s good to see other marques break up the chokehold, but BMW has come down a long way from when it was basically the bike that half the Pro Superbike grid ran.
So, if BMW’s put the effort into getting its new bikes certified, that presumably means it’s serious about a renewed effort in the series, which is good for all racers. Remember, Ducati is returning to CSBK next season, after many years away, so we might be about to see a season of extremely exciting racing.
See more details in CSBK’s press release below:
Press release
CSBK Confirm Updated BMW Motorcycle Superbike model approval for National Series in 2022
Toronto, ON – Professional Motor Sports Productions Inc., PMP, the Toronto-based organizers of the Canadian National Superbike Championship Series (CSBK), have updated the homologation of models for their Pro and Amateur Super Bike classes based on a November request from BMW Motorrad Canada.
Starting with the opening round of the 2022 CSBK tour scheduled for Grand Bend, ON., June 9-12, the S1000RR and latest M1000RR BMW models will be eligible to compete.
The S1000RR was first homologated for use in CSBK on its launch in 2010 and has been one of the most successful motorcycles in the CSBK series since that launch.
The M1000RR was announced as a for-sale model to the public in 2020 and is successful to the point that CSBK Technical staff are comfortable and confident with the number of M1000RR units in use and available in Canada heading into the 2022 National racing series.
The initial S1000RR model is now racing in CSBK in third generation form. This ongoing family of the popular in-line four-cylinder platform has earned the overall Canadian National Pro Superbike Championship a remarkable eight times.
Brett McCormick of Saskatoon, SK, won the overall Title for BMW in 2011, and then Jordan Szoke of Lyndon, ON, scored the Canadian number one plate with the S1000RR a remarkable six times. Collingwood, ON’s Ben Young battled to the overall National Title for BMW in 2019.
The M1000RR is very similar to the “S” version, but with some useful-for-competition updates. Peak revs are up 500 when compared to the S model, thanks to updated M engine internals. The variety and spec of the various “riding modes” is increased with the M, and – most noticeably – a higher windscreen and fairing winglets are included on the base model, making these aero features eligible for the track.
In 2021, Alex Dumas took the National Superbike title for Suzuki, the teen-ager winning in his first season in the CSBK championship. BMW, Kawasaki and Yamaha also scored Pro Superbike feature class podium placings in the past season, and Ducati have already confirmed that they are joining the CSBK Superbike categories in 2022.
