Luca Grünwald, Daniel Kartheininger, and Max Schmidt have already raced for Andreas Gerlich. Now the BCC Team is adding a new rider: Martin Vugrinec is returning to the Superbike class at the Öhlins EURO MOTO race at the Nürburgring. The 27-year-old Croatian will make a guest appearance on the BMW M 1000 RR.
When “Spider-Martin” contacted master auto mechanic Andreas Gerlich from Heilbronn, the team boss wanted to see what the Croatian could do in the BMW during a test at the Hockenheimring. The result convinced Gerlich: “He was damn fast, and everything worked out with him.” That sealed the deal.
Gerlich had originally planned to have the Spaniard David Sánchez make a guest appearance. However, the former racer is now heavily involved as a riding coach in the World Championship. Among others, he works with Moto2 rider Arón Canet.
“He’s not familiar with the Nürburgring either. That’s why I chose Martin Vugrinec,” explains Gerlich. Vugrinec is no stranger to the Superbike class. He was part of Oliver Skach’s Kawasaki team for a year and a half before both sides ended their partnership midway through last season.
Now “Spider-Martin” is back—and it might not be just a one-off appearance. Depending on how the weekend at the Nürburgring goes, Vugrinec could also take to the track for the BCC Team at the season finale in Hockenheim.
