Joined Jun 2006
2K Posts | 20+
south wales UK
it may have been posted in the past but im posting it again, i would love to see a new manufacturer's in GP:
World Superbike rider Leon Haslam says he is keen to ride in MotoGP with BMW next year - but only if the German firm is able to build a competitive bike.
BMW Motorcycle Division CEO Hendrik von Kuenheim hinted at the company's plans at the Qatar MotoGP two weeks ago, and the rumours gathered momentum at Donington.
There have been reports of development of a MotoGP bike in the BMW factory workshop and also that the German manufacturer is gaining information regarding the Marc VDS Suter project - which is based on a WSB-spec S1000RR engine.
BMW WSB boss Bernhard Gobmeier told Motorcycle News: "Because we have the S1000RR we needed to be competing in motorsport and our decision was WSB.
"We have a long-term contract with Alfa Racing, but the workshop is very large so there would be enough space for something else. It would be necessary to upgrade the engine."
Gobmeier revealed that BMW's previous decision not to be in MotoGP could change with room available for a new project.
"BMW have never won the F1 title but, if you ask people around the world, we produce some of the sportiest cars on the road. Given that, it would be logical to never see a BMW in MotoGP.
"But there are always influences and factors that could change the decision."
Haslam has previous GP experience having raced in 125cc, 250cc and 500 GPs, but stressed that any move back to these types of races would have to be on his terms.
The 27-year-old stated: "I've had options to go to MotoGP in the past, but I only want to go on a competitive package. BMW have obviously got an interest to be there but I think a lot of it comes down to the bike because they're not going to go there with what they've got now.
"I don't know when it will happen but the fact that they are speaking about it is good from my point of view."
The bike is clearly a huge factor for Haslam and any preliminary BMW bikes will need more developing if they want to compete with the established names of Honda, Yamaha and Ducati in MotoGP. This would call for a lighter, more powerful engine than their current tests on the S1000RR engine.
But BMW's fledgling interest is still exciting for Haslam, who hopes to fulfil his WSB dreams before turning back to MotoGP.
"When I signed for BMW my aim was to try and win the title in the first year, win it again in the second year and then decide what I wanted to do with MotoGP.
"I think BMW would like to take me with them if they went, but my priority remains to win WSB."
LINKY: http://asia.eurosport.com/superbike/bmw-plans-for-motogp_sto2729763/story.shtml
World Superbike rider Leon Haslam says he is keen to ride in MotoGP with BMW next year - but only if the German firm is able to build a competitive bike.
BMW Motorcycle Division CEO Hendrik von Kuenheim hinted at the company's plans at the Qatar MotoGP two weeks ago, and the rumours gathered momentum at Donington.
There have been reports of development of a MotoGP bike in the BMW factory workshop and also that the German manufacturer is gaining information regarding the Marc VDS Suter project - which is based on a WSB-spec S1000RR engine.
BMW WSB boss Bernhard Gobmeier told Motorcycle News: "Because we have the S1000RR we needed to be competing in motorsport and our decision was WSB.
"We have a long-term contract with Alfa Racing, but the workshop is very large so there would be enough space for something else. It would be necessary to upgrade the engine."
Gobmeier revealed that BMW's previous decision not to be in MotoGP could change with room available for a new project.
"BMW have never won the F1 title but, if you ask people around the world, we produce some of the sportiest cars on the road. Given that, it would be logical to never see a BMW in MotoGP.
"But there are always influences and factors that could change the decision."
Haslam has previous GP experience having raced in 125cc, 250cc and 500 GPs, but stressed that any move back to these types of races would have to be on his terms.
The 27-year-old stated: "I've had options to go to MotoGP in the past, but I only want to go on a competitive package. BMW have obviously got an interest to be there but I think a lot of it comes down to the bike because they're not going to go there with what they've got now.
"I don't know when it will happen but the fact that they are speaking about it is good from my point of view."
The bike is clearly a huge factor for Haslam and any preliminary BMW bikes will need more developing if they want to compete with the established names of Honda, Yamaha and Ducati in MotoGP. This would call for a lighter, more powerful engine than their current tests on the S1000RR engine.
But BMW's fledgling interest is still exciting for Haslam, who hopes to fulfil his WSB dreams before turning back to MotoGP.
"When I signed for BMW my aim was to try and win the title in the first year, win it again in the second year and then decide what I wanted to do with MotoGP.
"I think BMW would like to take me with them if they went, but my priority remains to win WSB."
LINKY: http://asia.eurosport.com/superbike/bmw-plans-for-motogp_sto2729763/story.shtml
