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). Now the riders who will compete in the 2019/20 season under the leadership of Team Manager Werner Daemen have also 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 at 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 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 on what Reiti’s future holds.
BMW Motorrad Motorsport has signed 35-year-old Kenny Foray, an endurance racing expert, for the Endurance World Championship. The Frenchman has been on the scene 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 participated in all test sessions alongside the team so far. Foray hopes to achieve his ultimate goal: “To win the 24 Hours of Le Mans at least once. And I’d also very much like to take home the title.”
Julian Puffe and Ilya Mikhalchik are currently the top drivers in the IDM and have been teammates on Werner Daemen’s alpha Racing-Van Zon BMW team since last season. So they know each other, the team, and the new RR inside and out. The 23-year-old Puffe has been competing occasionally in BMW teams in the World Endurance Championship since 2017. The native of the racing town of Schleiz has achieved his greatest successes in the Superstock class. His participation led to a victory at 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 became the Superbike 1000 champion. With two races remaining in 2019, he is still in the lead. He holds a 41-point lead over second-place Julian Puffe. Mikhalchik made his FIM EWC debut in 2019 at the 24 Hours of Le Mans. “Thank you for this tremendous 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)