The COVID-19 pandemic has kept the world on edge for long enough and led to plenty of social distancing measures. With the first restrictions being lifted, the BMW Motorrad World Endurance Team seized the opportunity to test various new parts for the S 1000 RR. A small but dedicated crew got to work at Circuit Zolder in Belgium. Regular rider Kenny Foray traveled from France to get back on the bike after three long months. The outing wasn’t a full-fledged endurance test, but it was still an important step in preparation for the 24-lap race at Le Mans. The classic race at the Bugatti Circuit in France will take place on August 29–30, 2020.
Three-time IDM Superbike 1000 champion Markus Reiterberger (2013, 2015, 2017) and the current IDM Superbike 1000 title holder Ilya Mikhalchik were not at Zolder. “Ilya won’t be crossing the border until July 1,” explains team boss Werner Daemen regarding the Ukrainian’s absence, “and for Markus, the trip would have been too far to handle the tasks at hand.” However, both IDM winners will definitely be racing at Le Mans.
The technicians working with Werner Daemen had built three new engines, and according to Daemen, Foray had to come to Zolder anyway to do some testing with the Dunlop tires he also uses in the French Championship. Otherwise, he was busy breaking in the brake discs. “He did two laps with them. Next, he went out on new tires, did one lap, and came back to the pits,” Daemen described the sequence.
A major official test is scheduled for mid-July at Le Mans, at which point all drivers will be present and, according to Daemen, the cars will be running at higher speeds.