BMW hoping to participate in MotoGP class – MotoGP news
BMW the giant German automobile manufacturer is looking forward to jump into the MotoGP.
The company has also experienced the Formula 1 world. The CEO of BMW motorcycle division, Hendrik von Kuenheim, gave a surprise visit at the Grand Prix of Qatar. He arrived on Saturday and had meeting with Dorna Sports management and watched the Sunday
race too.
Kuenheim is willing to make BMW participate in MotoGP world, but 18 months ago when he took over the hold from Dr Herbert Diess the company had made its decision to run in the World Superbike.
Diess had shared his thoughts with the CEO of Dorna sports, Carmelo Ezpeleta that the company was interested to enter the MotoGP world in start of 2007. Jeremy McWilliams was seen testing a three-cylinder prototype machine many times at different circuits.
Diess has to change his decision after, Motorsport Director Bertl Hauser told him the cost of MotoGP entry would be staggering 40 Million Euros. On the other side, World Superbike (WSBK) would only cost 12 Million Euros.
The decision to run in the World Superbike brought little benefits to the company, as interest in WSBK lack in Germany. There is no proper television coverage for the event and team sponsors also seem to be uninterested in the company’s WSBK effort.
As this running season is last for the 800cc era and from the 2012 MotoGP season 1000cc will again come alive. This change can provide good chances for the entry of a new team, as facility new team get to run with nine engines instead of six engines.
It is to provide sufficient time for the team to develop enough durable engines to withstand the pressure of the race. There are also Claiming Team Rules that allow a new team to use production components in their racing engines. It also includes that
CRTs can use 12 engines and an additional fuel capacity relaxation.
Ezpeleta told BMW that they cannot enter the MotoGP in 2012 season, as Dorna is keeping a sharp eye on company intending to enter MotoGP through a backdoor as CRT.
As a present situation Hauser is replaced by Bernhard Gobmeier as Motorsport Director.
“We are watching MotoGP, but there has not been an official decision from the board of directors,” Gobmeier said. “And we support the project of our customer Suter.”
The fact that Suter Racing is using Bosch electronics now is another hint that BMW will enter.
German racing company, Alpha Racing, situated at Stephanskirchen, has already started building S 1000 RR engines for the MotoGP races. Some other names are also speculated including Kalex Engineering of Bavaria.
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