It is well known that BMW Motorrad wanted to expand its international factory racing program with the new BMW S 1000 RR to include the FIM Endurance World Championship (FIM EWC). The riders who will compete in the 2019/20 season under the leadership of Team Manager Werner Daemen have now been confirmed. They are Kenny Foray (FRA), Julian Puffe (GER), and Ilya Mikhalchik (UKR). The season kicks off on September 21–22 with the Bol d’Or 24-hour race in Le Castellet (FRA)—just one week before the IDM finale in Hockenheim.
There is no word yet on whether Markus Reiterberger will be involved. German Superbike fans had to swallow a bitter pill last week. The Bavarian rider will no longer be part of the BMW factory team in the Superbike World Championship next year and will be replaced by Eugene Laverty. So far, there has been no statement regarding Reiti’s future.
BMW Motorrad Motorsport has signed 35-year-old Kenny Foray, an endurance racing expert, for the FIM Endurance World Championship. The Frenchman has been competing in the series since 2008 and won his first title in 2014. Foray has been competing with BMW teams in the FIM EWC since 2016. He is closely involved in the development of the endurance version of the new RR and has completed the test rides to date alongside the team. Foray hopes to achieve his ultimate goal: “To win the 24 Hours of Le Mans at least once. And I would also very much like to take the title home.”
Julian Puffe and Ilya Mikhalchik are currently the leading riders in the IDM and have been teammates on Werner Daemen’s alpha Racing-Van Zon BMW team since last season. They know each other, the team, and the new RR inside out. The 23-year-old Puffe has been competing occasionally in BMW teams in the World Endurance Championship since 2017. The man from the racing town of Schleiz has achieved his greatest successes in the Superstock class. His participation led to a victory in the 8-hour race at the Slovakiaring in 2017 and at the legendary Bol d’Or last year.
Mikhalchik is also 23 years old. The Ukrainian joined the IDM team in 2018 and immediately won the Superbike 1000 championship. With two races remaining in 2019, he is currently in the lead. He holds a 41-point lead over second-place Julian Puffe. Mikhalchik made his debut in the FIM EWC in 2019 at the 24 Hours of Le Mans. “Thank you for this huge opportunity to now compete as a factory rider in a world championship. This is very important to me,” says Mikhalchik, adding: “I am the first Ukrainian to take my first steps on this major world stage.”
Marc Bongers, Director of BMW Motorrad Motorsport, explains what is expected at company headquarters: “In our first year, we want to become more competitive step by step. After this learning year, our long-term goal is to catch up with the leaders and compete for the title.”
2019/20 FIM Endurance World Championship Schedule
September 21–22, 2019: Bol d’Or (24-hour race) – Le Castellet (FRA)
December 14, 2019: 8 Hours of Sepang – Sepang (MAS)
April 18–19, 2020: 24 Heures Moto – Le Mans (FRA)
June 6, 2020: 8 Hours of Oschersleben – Oschersleben (GER)
July 19, 2020: Suzuka 8 Hours – Suzuka (JPN)