BMW choose Dunlop for FIM Endurance World Championship comeback

BMW has confirmed that they will join the FIM Endurance World Championship (EWC) with a factory-supported entry, using the latest new S1000 RR equipped with Dunlop tyres.

In the past, BMW has supported privateer teams, but this marks a step-up to a full programme and the team has chosen Dunlop after evaluating the different tyre options in this ‘open tyre’ formula.

Marc Bongers, BMW Motorrad Motorsport Director: “As part of our customer racing program, we have been in the EWC for a number of years and look forward to the next milestone with the new BMW S1000 RR. We are delighted to have Dunlop on board who is participating in this project as a tyre partner. Dunlop will also provide significant support through their expertise. The goal is clear: the first season of this high-level world championship will be a learning year in which we want to become more and more competitive. In the longer term, our goal is to be among the best and fight for the title. ”

Dunlop is the most successful tyre manufacturer in the history of the FIM Endurance World Championship supporting teams such as Suzuki Endurance Racing Team and GMT94 Yamaha in achieving championship glory. In the 2018/19 season, Dunlop was also used by the Superstock Endurance World Cup winning team, Moto AIN.

Dunlop has great experience of winning with BMW. Last year, Peter Hickman chose Dunlop for his record-breaking road racing season that included wins in the Macau Grand Prix and Isle of Man TT Senior race. The latter result including setting an epic 135.4mph (218kmh) average lap time, a record that still stands unbeaten, on a similar BMW S1000 RR to the one being used in the EWC.

Wim Van Achter, Dunlop Europe Motorsport Manager added: “Dunlop use the open tyre regulations of EWC and Road Racing to develop and validate technologies for the latest generation of hypersport bikes. In the last two years, Dunlop has introduced a range of new hypersport tyres including the Dunlop D212 GP Racer for track days, the SportSmart TT for 50/50 road and track use and the latest SportSmart Mk3 for those who enjoy their superbikes on the road. All these road-legal tyres use technology that’s a direct descendant of our winning tyres from open tyre competition racing.”

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Dunlop Europe is one of the world’s leading manufacturers of tyres with an impressive track record of motorsport successes. Dunlop Europe is a technical partner of Suzuki Endurance Race Team and Honda Racing in motorcycle Endurance World Championship Racing, the official tyre supplier to the FIM Moto2 and Moto3 World Championship and the most successful tyre brand in the history of the Isle of Man TT. Off-road, Dunlop is the choice of MXGP race winners and champions. On four wheels, Dunlop is the most successful tyre manufacturer in the history of the Le Mans 24h race.