PERFECT TEAMWORK AND DAMAGE LIMITATION IN ASSEN

The BMW Motorrad GoldBet SBK Team concludes a dramatic and difficult Sunday at the "TT Circuit" in Assen, the Netherlands. Factory rider Chaz Davies finished seventh and fifth after crashing in this morning's warm-up. His BMW S 1000 RR was so badly damaged that the team had to prepare the rolling chassis for the races. His teammate Marco Melandri had even more bad luck: a technical issue stopped him in the warm-up lap for race one. In race two, the Italian finished eighth. The winners at the third round of the 2013 FIM Superbike World Championship were Tom Sykes and Eugene Laverty. In the Riders' classification, Chaz, Laverty and Sykes are on equal points behind leader Sylvain Guintoli, all having 83 points in their tally. Due to the race results, Chaz is classified third behind Laverty. Marco sits in eighth with 51 points. In the Manufacturers' classification, BMW lies in second with 99 points.

After Chaz's crash in the morning, the squad did not have much time to build up the rolling chassis. Chaz's crew was supported by Marco's crew, who stood in to help as soon as they had completed the race preparation on Marco's RR. With their joint efforts and well organised work they succeeded in getting the #19 RR ready for race one, though Chaz had to start from the last row. With the first race getting underway, drama continued for the team. In the warm-up lap, Marco was stopped by a part failure in the final drive and was forced to roll off the track and onto the grass. The race was over for him before it actually began. It is as yet unclear what caused the failure. The part is currently at the supplier for analysis. Chaz meanwhile started his catch-up, charging his way forward through the field. After lap one he was already in 11th and gained more positions as the race unfolded. He crossed the line in seventh, collecting important points. In race two, both riders made a good start, with Marco improving from eighth to fifth and Chaz from 13th to ninth. But Marco was struggling to keep this position and dropped back. After nine laps, he was back in 11th while Chaz continued his way forward, being sixth at that time. On the last lap, Chaz gained another position, crossing the line in fifth. Marco also worked his way back forward and finished the race in eighth.

In the FIM Superstock 1000 Cup race, Sylvain Barrier finished second on the podium on his DDC-equipped BMW HP4 of the BMW Motorrad GoldBet STK Team. In a dramatic finish, the Frenchman was beaten by winner Eddi La Marra by only 0.023 seconds. In the overall classification, Sylvain extended his lead to nine points, having collected 45 points in total at the first two rounds of the season. His team mate Greg Gildenhuys had to retire early in the race due to a technical issue.

Chaz Davies: "The day started very badly with the crash in the morning. The track temperature was still very low and I lost the front. I did not think that the crash was that big but the bike must have tumbled quite a lot and it was really badly damaged. It was frustrating to destroy a bike like that in the warm-up. A big credit to the team who did an amazing job building up a brand new bike for the race. As it was a new bike I did not expect big things. I was just hoping to get some points so to finish seventh was a reason to be happy.

"To finish in the top 5 in the second race was not a great result but I got the maximum of what was possible and it was limiting the damage. I got the best possible result in both races. Again, I owe everybody in the team a big thank you for today, for pulling together and enabling me to race. We still have some work to do. I know where we are losing riding against the other guys. In some places the bike is working well, in other places I feel that we need to improve. Now I am looking forward to Monza."

Marco Melandri: "It was an awful weekend and today, it was an unlucky day. In race one I did not even start, while in race 2 it seemed that a sensor failed so the bike could not work with the right electronic strategies. I had to slow down for a couple of laps to understand what was going on and what the problem was. Once I understood how to manage the situation I returned to my race pace and completed the race. Now we need to understand what does not work and to solve the problem. My aim is to rediscover the riding pleasure, to fight for the podium and to win again."

Serafino Foti (Sport Director BMW Motorrad GoldBet SBK Team): "We had a difficult and troubled weekend. Marco, after the technical issue he experienced in race one, again had difficulties in race two. Unfortunately, something did not work. He did not find the right feeling with his bike and we could not enable him to overcome these difficulties and ride properly. We are already planning some meetings in the next days to analyse the situation in order to allow him a consistent top performance from the next race in Monza onwards. Chaz fell this morning during warm-up but he took part in both races, thanks to the efforts of his and of Marco's crew who worked together. I want to thank all the guys for this excellent job. Chaz did not get the final results he was aiming for but he collected some important points.

"In the Superstock class, Sylvain finished second today. Unfortunately he did not win and he was not happy. But to achieve this result against such strong competitors is very positive. We were very satisfied and we want to win again in Monza."

Stephan Fischer (Technical Director BMW Motorrad Motorsport): "It was a difficult weekend for us. On Chaz's side we had his retirement in Superpole and with Marco we were struggling to find the right set-up. This was topped this morning by Chaz's crash during warm-up. Building up the new bike worked great because everybody pulled together and helped. A big thanks to the whole squad. Unfortunately the time was not enough to be ready in time to go to the grid normally. So Chaz had to start from the last row and we must pay him a compliment. He made a great start and over the course of the race, he showed a consistently good performance. His bike and the set-up worked well, his lap times were competitive and under other circumstances, they would have been good for a top result.

"Marco had bad luck this weekend, too. It took us quite long to find the right set-up for the difficult conditions on this racetrack. Before the race we were headed in the right direction and his lap times during warm-up made us hope for a strong result. What followed, was the retirement in race one. This failure was probably something that happens to you once in a lifetime. However, we still have to examine accurately the reason for the failure. In race two he unfortunately struggled with issues again. But this is racing: you have highs and you have lows. Now we have to analyse our lows precisely and use our findings take the right steps. We will try to do our homework properly in order to head to Monza well prepared."

Check out the offers on new BMW Motorbikes from the Vines Group of Guildford and Redhill here:  http://www.vinesbmwbikes.co.uk/latest-offers.htm

Vines Redhill Motorrad Service Open Day

Come on down to Vines Redhill Motorrad for our first Service Open day on Saturday 4 May; View our service facilities and get handy tips from our team of BMW trained technicians. Whilst you are with us take advantage of our sales items in parts, accessories and Approved Used BMWs.

SPACES ARE LIMITED.

TO BOOK YOUR PLACE PLEASE CALL US ON 01293 831347.

 
One World. One R 1200 GS. BMW R 1200 GS handed over to the BMW Museum. Final event at the BMW Museum in Munich on April 13th.

“One World. One R 1200 GS. The ride of your life.” was the name of the game as BMW Motorrad sent five lucky winners off on the adventure of a lifetime. One woman and four men made the cut from a starting field of some 12,000 applicants around the world and would get the chance to ride the touring enduro ahead of its official launch. The widest spread of terrain, altitudes and climate zones the world has to offer has ensured this tour has been an experience that will stay with the riders forever.

The decision as to who should embark on this voyage of adventure was handed to a jury made up of well-known bikers: Oscar-winning actor Adrien Brody, motor sport legend Jutta Kleinschmidt, Hollywood action star Rick Yune and TV adventure rider Charley Boorman. They selected a five-strong group from among all applicants worldwide.


On January 25th 2013 the tour set off in Laos, continuing through New Zealand, South Africa, the USA and Europe. After covering 12,600 kilometres, the
R 1200 GS arrived at its destination last Saturday, April 13th - the BMW Museum in Munich. At the closing event, BMW Motorrad Head of Marketing Strategy and Marketing Communication Tim Diehl-Thiele presented the
R 1200 GS - signed by all jury members and participants - to Dr. Ralf Rodepeter, Director of the BMW Museum, in front of an audience of nearly 3,000. In future the motorcycle will be exhibited at the museum.


At around 3 pm on Saturday afternoon, Stephanie Rowe from the UK finished the last stage of the European tour in Munich. She had set out from Innsbruck that morning, riding the final distance of nearly 170 km to Munich with over 50 GS riders - including Herbert Unger, winner of the New Zealand tour and Alessio Cigolini, winner of the Laos tour - for the finale of the OWT at the BMW Museum.

The riders were welcomed in front of the museum on the first day of spring by 300 motorcycle enthusiasts who had travelled there especially for the occasion, including jury member Jutta Kleinschmidt.


Stephanie Rowe, who rode the R 1200 GS into the BMW Museum herself, said: “I couldn’t have expected anything like that! It was amazing and so much fun! The scenary was fantastic. And riding – AWESOME.”

Learn more about the fantastic new BMW R 1200 GS from Vines of Redhill and Guildford CLICK HERE

DAVIES TAKES WSBK DOUBLE IN ARAGÓN

It was a dream day for the BMW Motorrad GoldBet SBK Team at the Spanish track of Motorland Aragón. Factory rider, Chaz Davies was the man to beat at the second round of the 2013 FIM Superbike World Championship after the Welshman won both races on his BMW S 1000 RR. He made the best use of his front row start and celebrated his first ever double-victory in the series. His team mate Marco Melandri, who started from eighth, jumped on the podium in third place in race one. In the second race, Marco finished fifth. In the Riders' championship, Chaz has now climbed into second place with 63 points, while Marco sits in fourth with 43 points. In the Manufacturers' classification, BMW lies in second with 79 points.

In both races, Chaz was on for the victory from the word go. In race one, the Welshman took the lead on lap five, while his immediate rivals, Eugene Laverty and Tom Sykes, ran into difficulties. Once at the front, Chaz grabbed the chance to secure his first season victory with both hands and lap by lap he increased his lead which brought the win home safely. Marco improved from eighth to sixth within the opening lap, but went wide when fighting for positions and consequently fell back to ninth place. The Italian once more showed a great determination and caught up: on lap five, he was already third, taking second place on lap 13 by overtaking Sylvain Guintoli. Unfortunately on lap 16 he went wide again and dropped a number of positions, only to fight his way back onto the podium crossing the line in third place.

The second race was shortened to 19 laps after the start was delayed. This time, Chaz took the lead on the second lap and began building the gap in front of his pursuers. He kept a cool head and rode a determined race to secure his second victory of the day. Not only this, but he also rode the fastest lap of the race. In the opening stages it seemed that both riders of the BMW Motorrad GoldBet SBK Team would be on the podium as Marco had a brilliant start and took third place on lap two. But he then experienced some issues and was not able to hold the position. Consequently, Marco slipped back into fifth which was the position he held until the chequered flag.

In the FIM Superstock 1000 Cup, reigning champion Sylvain Barrier rode to victory at the season opener at Aragón. This meant that the BMW Motorrad GoldBet STK Team rider secured the first ever international victory for the brand new BMW HP4. The bike is equipped with the Dynamic Damping Control DDC, meaning this was also the first ever victory of an electronic damping system in the history of motorcycle racing. Sylvain's team mate Greg Gildenhuys finished tenth. In addition, BMW Motorrad Motorsport congratulates Jörg Steinhausen and Grégory Cluze for their success at Aragón. The pair won the first round of the 2013 FIM Sidecar World Championship with their LCR BMW S 1000 RR.

Chaz Davies: "For me it is just an amazing day. I cannot explain how happy I am. What a weekend! My first victory with BMW and then the double win - this is something I was hoping to achieve this year but I did not expect it to happen this early. I want to thank BMW and everybody who supported me. I knew coming here that we are going to be strong. BMW has done a fantastic job over the last month we had off since Australia, and everybody was working very hard. In addition, I now really feel that the RR is mine, I feel so comfortable on it.

In race one, the DNFs by Tom and Eugene definitely made it easier. In race two it seemed that I had a comfortable lead, but to be honest I had to push a lot. One of the most impressing things is the fact that we have done a lot of testing in Jerez but not here in Aragón, where nearly everybody else has been. So to win with that up against us, is quite impressive and it is credit to the work BMW has done. We will now keep being focused, continue to work hard and look forward to Assen, another race track I really like."

Marco Melandri: "For me, it wasn't the best weekend. After race one I was still pretty happy. At the start I wasn't very comfortable with the front end and I made a big mistake trying to catch the guys in front of me at the end of the main straight. After that I got into a good rhythm and improved into second place. I thought that would be my position in the end but unfortunately the bike went into neutral between third and second gear. But I finished in third place which was not so bad for me. In race two, based on my experience with the 16.5 inch tyre, I chose a harder tyre for the front. But with the 17 inch tyre, it worked differently to how I expected. I had less grip and could not ride properly. In the beginning I pushed very hard, but then I preferred not to risk too much. I had no pain in my shoulder, but by the end of the race I had no strength left in my arms. I am looking forward to the next race in Assen, when we will be in a better shape. Congratulations to Chaz. He rode awesome - well done!"

Andrea Buzzoni (General Manager BMW Motorrad WSBK): "It was an extraordinary weekend. All team members have worked day and night over the last six months to make it possible. The guys in Munich and Bologna are extremely committed and this is the perfect reward for them. These results show their passion and show the amount of responsibility they put into their jobs. Chaz has impressively shown his talent with two perfect races today. He demonstrated that he was a mature rider and to be ready to be one of the season's main contenders. We trust him and he proves to be an excellent rider and person. Marco, despite a difficult Saturday, had a good first race. If things would have gone a little bit smoother, it's possible that he could have fought for the victory. In race two, a wrong front tyre choice prevented him from being amongst the front runners. He collected important points for the season after finishing in fifth place.

This weekend, the brand new BMW HP4 equipped with DDC made its debut in the Superstock Championship. Thanks to the development work that the team have done over the last three months, BMW wrote an important page in the history of motorcycle racing as it is the first bike to win with an innovative electronic damping system. I want to congratulate both the team along with our colleagues in Munich for developing the system and Sylvain, who knows how to make perfect use of this new technology: Sylvain dominated the whole weekend right from free practice up until this morning's race."

Stephan Fischer (Technical Director BMW Motorrad Motorsport): "It is a great day for BMW. We are reaping the rewards of our development work, with the RR and as well with the new BMW HP4. The icing on the cake for sure was Chaz' double victory in the top class, the World Superbikes. After race one, it could have been said that Lady Luck contributed her part, but in fact in racing you do need luck. But in race two Chaz impressively proved that he was dominating today. Over the whole weekend he rode at a constant rhythm, he did consistently fast laps, and the bike suited him perfectly. The development team provided the excellent basis and the race team at the track transferred it very well to suit Chaz' needs and found the right set up quickly. It is a really great result for all of us. Marco struggled today, but we are convinced that he will be back to full strength very soon.

In the Superstock category, the new BMW HP4 proved its potential impressively. Over the whole weekend, Sylvain rode the best times consistently and as a result celebrated the victory today. We have built the basis for great success in the FIM Superstock 1000 Cup this year with introduction of the electronic damping system and the hard work of the team."

One World. One R 1200 GS. Five adventurers on a voyage of discovery with the new BMW R 1200 GS motorcycle.

Five unique tours in five continents with a new BMW R 1200 GS. “One World. One R 1200 GS. The ride of your life.” was the name of the game as BMW Motorrad sent five lucky winners off on the adventure of a lifetime. One woman and four men made the cut from a starting field of some 12,000 applicants around the world and would get the chance to ride the touring enduro ahead of its official launch. The widest spread of terrain, altitudes and climate zones the world has to offer has ensured this tour has been an experience that will stay with the riders forever.

The decision as to who should embark on this voyage of adventure was handed to a jury made up of well-known bikers: Oscar-winning actor Adrien Brody, motor sport legend Jutta Kleinschmidt, Hollywood action star Rick Yune and TV adventure rider Charley Boorman. From the worldwide pool of candidates, they selected a five-strong group boasting sporting ability, a thirst for adventure and a sense of daring. The successful candidates were BMW Motorrad enthusiasts from Italy, Germany, Spain, France and Great Britain. Each participant would go on to experience the “ride of their life” on a different continent; but only the R 1200 GS would complete the full, world-encompassing distance.


The tour got under way in Laos on 25 January 2013. Nine days later, the GS was handed over to the next link in the chain in New Zealand. After another eight days’ riding, the bike headed to South Africa, before being passed to the fourth participant, who had 10 days to explore the western USA. And, finally, the last member of the group set off across Europe not long ago for a date in Munich on 13 April. By then the R 1200 GS will have covered a total of 12,600 kilometres (approx. 7,800 miles) over the course of 44 days.

The final-leg rider, Britain’s Stephanie Rowe, will pull up at the BMW Museum some time after 15.00 hrs this Saturday to be greeted by a “One World. One R 1200 GS” end-of-tour event. The R 1200 GS – which was signed by the celebrity jury members before the tour – will be handed over to the BMW Museum as part of the celebrations. German tour participant Herbert Unger and jury member Jutta Kleinschmidt will be among those at the BMW Museum awaiting Rowe’s arrival.


Tour Laos.

It fell to 35-year-old Alessio Cigolini to turn the first wheel of the tour in Laos on 25 January 2013. The Italian and his support team promptly embarked on nine days negotiating rocks, gravel, dust and asphalted roads along the Mekong River and riding through mountains and jungle landscapes. Cigolini also forded more than a few rivers and explored remote areas outside Luang Prabang, something that was only possible with experienced guides from the region. The team made frequent stops along the way so as to get to know the Laotian people – who had welcomed them with such warmth – a little better. Alongside the beauty and fascination of the trip, Cigolini was faced with ample challenges and tests of endeavour. The rider and his new R 1200 GS were called on to negotiate exacting road conditions, with slippery wet slopes, tight hairpins and thick mist all in a day’s riding. However, by the end of his leg, the smiling Italian could reflect on the knowledge that he had just experienced “the most impressive and unforgettable week of my life”.

Tour New Zealand. 

Bavarian rider Herbert Unger took over the keys to the new R 1200 GS in Christchurch to cut a swathe through New Zealand’s South Island. First up for the 49-year-old were some enthralling stretches of road taking in the fishing villages along the coastline on the way to the mountains. A stop-off in Queenstown was then followed by “the toughest 18 kilometres [11 miles] of my life” across rivers and over mud-caked ascents into New Zealand’s distinctive mountains. Unger and the crew had the privilege of exploring some now famous backdrops on their bikes. Indeed, Castle Hills – a location used for the filming of “Lord of the Rings” – provided a suitably special end to a very special tour.


Tour South Africa.

41-year-old Spanish rider Salvador Echevarria was given the chance to pilot the new R 1200 GS across South Africa – and make a variety of acquaintances with people and animals along the way. As a special surprise, a group of 40 GS riders had gathered in Cape Town to see him on his way and ride alongside him for the first 230 km (approx. 140 miles) of his trip atop the rocky cliffs overlooking the Indian Ocean. Cape of Good Hope National Park provided the new touring enduro with a stunning stage on which to display its all-weather capability and assurance on both rain-soaked roads and ultra-rough terrain. The Spaniard’s team also ventured along one of the world’s most famous off-road trails, just the other side of De Hell, where rocky tracks and vertiginous hillsides demanded absolute concentration and riding precision. Nature had laid on a truly extraordinary experience for all concerned.
 
Tour USA.

“GS goes to Hollywood” was the message for 39-year-old Stéphane Gautronneau as he climbed onto the new R 1200 GS in Los Angeles for the first time. The successful French candidate had 10 days to soak up the western USA – canyons, surfing beaches and all. This was a journey of climatic extremes, over the peaks of Californian mountains, through desert scrub along the Pacific coast, picking his way over trails covered by snow, packed in mud and swirling with dust. The tour also took in cities including Los Angeles and San Francisco, as well as ghost towns shimmering within the scorching heat of Death Valley. Gautronneau summed up the experience of a typically fulfilling day:  “Riding a wonderful machine along this demanding road – that’s rock’n’roll!”


Tour Europe.

British rider Stephanie Rowe is the youngest of the competition winners – at 25 – and also the only woman in the field. Rowe’s tour began in Barcelona, launching rider and machine on a journey across the fifth and final continent of the “One World. One R 1200 GS.” expedition. The European leg of the journey will have taken Rowe through five countries – from Spain, across France and Italy, via Austria to BMW’s home city of Munich. Along the way she has already piloted the GS over precipitous Pyrenean mountain passes to the partly unsurfaced roads of the Languedoc and Auvergne in France. Once into Italy, her route leads through the rolling Tuscan hills and around the winding roads overlooking Lake Garda. There she will link up with fellow participant Herbert Unger, who will accompany the Briton over the Italy-Austria border and share the final kilometres of the tour with her through to the finish in Munich on 13 April. The pair will be met by a welcoming committee of visitors, organisers and other participants at the BMW Museum as the end-of-tour event gets into its stride.

The new R 1200 GS.

The “GS concept” has embodied sheer riding pleasure and the thirst for adventure for over 32 years. And the boxer-engined GS models have been particular effective ambassadors for the breed. This unique concept of a large touring enduro bike with a brawny engine captures the imagination of bike fans all over the world – in their hordes. BMW Motorrad’s most successful model was revised from the ground up to create the fifth-generation model, which was launched in October 2012.


The highlights:

• All-new drive system designed to deliver leading dynamics in the touring enduro segment.
• Capacity 1,170cc, rated output 92 kW (125 hp) at 7,700 rpm, maximum torque 125 Nm (92 lb-ft) at 6,500 rpm.
• Cylinder heads with vertical through-flow for even greater efficiency and performance.
• Compact air/water cooling for optimum thermal balance.
• Six-speed gearbox integrated into the engine casing, with wet clutch, anti-hopping function and less manual force required.
• E-gas for even better ridability, running smoothness and special functions.
• Freely selectable “Rain”, “Road”, “Dynamic”, “Enduro” and ”Enduro Pro” riding modes
• BMW Motorrad Integral ABS fitted as standard.
• Dynamic ESA semi-active suspension (ex works option).
• World’s first LED main headlight on a motorcycle, with integrated daytime lighting (ex works option).
• Optimised ergonomics

Learn more about the new BMW R 1200 GS from Vines group CLICK HERE

Will you be joining us on our trip to Garmisch in July? Celebrate the 90th Birthday of BMW Motorrad with a ride out through the Vosges Mountains and Black Forest. Then enjoy the party in Garmisch with a VIP dinner, steins of beer, live bands and plenty of dancing! Don't be disappointed, make sure you book ASAP as there are 90 tickets available for the UK; this trip is from 3-10 July and starts at £899 for a solo rider.

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