BMW joins the FIM Endurance World Championship for 2020. And it’ll be racing factory-backed S1000RR’s.

BMW Motorrad has announced its intentions to race a factory-backed BMW S1000RR in the 2020 FIM Endurance World Championship.

Of course, BMW’s have been competing in the FIM EWC for years – but they’ve never had a proper factory supported team. But that’s all set to change, with BMW Motorrad announcing it’s set to get serious about the endurance series.

BMW will be joining forces with the MRP team – which already has experience of racing the BMW S1000RR on the world stage.  Essentially, it gives the German factory an opportunity to showcase its new Superbike without the need to outlay too much cash – after all, there are only four races in the series.

IDM Superbike racers lya Mikhalchik and Julian Puffe have been confirmed to ride the new S1000RR – but there’s also a rumours that Markus Reiteberger could also end up getting involved, after he lost his WSB ride to Eugene Laverty. With the action due to kick off next month, chances are we won’t have to wait too much longer to find out.

HERE’S THE CURRENT RACE CALENDAR –

21 – 22 September 2019: Bol d’Or (24-hour race) – Le Castellet (FRA)

December 14, 2019: 8 hours of Sepang – Sepang (MAS)

18 – 19 April 2020: 24 Heures Moto – Le Mans (FRA)

6 June 2020: 8 Hours of Oschersleben – Oschersleben (GER)

19 July 2020: Suzuka 8 Hours – Suzuka (JPN)

Speaking about BMW’s commitment, Dr. Markus Schramm, Head of BMW Motorrad, said: “The FIM EWC is becoming increasingly popular around the world and gives us the opportunity to be present also in the Asian markets. That’s why it is a logical step for us to expand our works commitment with the new RR, which is already making waves in the FIM Superbike World Championship this season. I’m looking forward to gripping endurance races with the BMW Motorrad World Endurance Team.”

BMW Motorrad Motorsport Director Marc Bongers added: “As part of our customer racing program, we have had a presence in the FIM EWC for several years and we are looking forward to taking the next step with the new BMW S1000RR and having a works involvement there now. The objective is clear: The first season in this top-level world championship will be a year of learning in which we want to become more and more competitive step by step. In the longer term our aim is to be up there among the leading pack and battling for the title.”