Le Mans. The countdown is on to the start of the 2022 season
of the FIM Endurance World Championship (FIM EWC). BMW Motorrad
World Endurance Team has started the final phase of preparations
with two days of testing at Le Mans (FRA). The team and its four
riders Markus Reiterberger (GER), Ilya Mikhalchik (UKR), Jérémy
Guarnoni (FRA) and Kenny Foray (FRA) worked their way through an
intensive testing programme with the #37 BMW M 1000 RR.
Over the winter break, BMW Motorrad Motorsport and BMW Motorrad World
Endurance Team made further optimisations to the #37 BMW M 1000 RR in
many areas. This improved the performance of the engine and optimised
fuel consumption, which is key in endurance racing. There have also
been innovations in terms of suspension, brakes and cooling. These
various areas were evaluated in-depth during testing at Le Mans.
The 2022 season of the FIM EWC gets underway with the renowned 24
Hours of Le Mans (FRA) over the Easter weekend (16th/17th April). The
24 Hours of Spa-Francorchamps (BEL) is scheduled for 4th/5th June, and
the 8 Hours of Suzuka (JPN) returns to the FIM EWC calendar on 7th
August. The Bol d’Or at Le Castellet (FRA) will be held on 17th/18th
September. A fifth race event is being planned.
Quotes after the Le Mans test.
Werner Daemen, Team Manager BMW Motorrad World Endurance Team:
“It was a really good test. We almost went through our full
test programme. We did one very fast lap time but as always we mainly
focused on long distance tests and we found everything we were looking
for. We just had some minor technical issues that we could solve for
the race weekend. We still have some small things to do in the free
practice just before the race but in general I am happy with
everything, including our new rider and new team members. The bikes
were really well prepared by the technical crew – better than ever!
Together with our tyre partner Dunlop and BMW power we are very happy
and I think we are very well prepared for the race.”
Jérémy Guarnoni: “It has been really two good days of
testing because we got some dry action but also rode in the wet. So we
could try the bike in absolutely all conditions and that is really
important in view of a 24-hour race. The bike was good in the wet and
we have a great pace also in the dry. We still have some work to do,
especially to prepare for the fast lap time in qualifying where we
still have a lot of potential. Overall, I am happy with this test and
I think the package riders, team and motorcycle can fight for the win.
We just need to work a little bit more during race week and try to do
our best.”
Markus Reiterberger: “It was great to be back at the
race track with the entire team after the winter. It also was nice to
ride the bike with what I think is the most stunning design we have
ever had. Is has been two productive days. As expected, the weather
was changeable but we were able to ride more in the dry than we
thought. We started our test program yesterday in the dry, tested many
parts and got mileage on them. We did a lot of set-up work overnight
and were able to confirm that with a good feeling this morning in
mixed conditions. We were always at the front on rain tyres,
intermediates and slicks. But we didn’t go chasing times and then it
started raining hard at the end. But we were at the forefront there,
too. We have great pace and a good base to fight for victory here at
Le Mans. We only have a few small things to work on, but we’ll use the
time until the race. We definitely have a lot of potential and I’m
looking forward to a great time in a few weeks.”
Ilya Mikhalchik: “It was a good test. Regarding the
weather, we had all conditions, with wet, intermediate and dry so we
could test things under all conditions. I felt quite good on the bike
and we also made some steps from last year, especially in race trim so
we are well prepared. Maybe we were not the fastest at this test but
this is not the main thing at the moment. Now I am looking forward to
return to Le Mans for the race weekend in a few weeks. We keep working
and try to do our best.”
Kenny Foray: “The test was a good preparation for the
24-hour race and the season. There have been many further developments
on the bike and it was good that we were able to try them in all
conditions. It has been busy two days and we learnt and confirmed a
lot. It was great to be back at the track with the team and my
team-mates Markus, Ilya and Jérémy. Of course we still can improve in
some areas and that will be our focus until the big race. I can’t wait
to be back at Le Mans soon.”