Bye, bye BMW Motorrad BoxerCup - 2004 will be the last season for the successful brand cup with the BMW R 1100 S

Munich. The 2004 season will be the last season for the successful BMW Motorrad
BoxerCup for the time being. Since 1999 the exciting races with the large
capacity flat twin boxers on the basis of the R 1100 S have been thrilling the
fans of the white and blue brand. The bikes even went as far afield as Daytona
where the BoxerCup was held as part of the fringe program of the 200 miles of
Daytona. Two very popular replica models for road use based on the race bike
have also been available since 2003 in a limited edition.

"It was clear right from the start that a brand cup would only attract
widespread attention over a limited period of time", is how BMW motor sports
director, Berthold Hauser explains the termination of the racing series at the
end of this season. "We have achieved all our objectives. We have shown how
fast the boxer can go on the racetrack and have proved the sports-oriented side
of our brand to a wide public. The throaty sound of the flat twins and the
thrilling duels and battles for position are what got the fans really excited",
Hauser continues.

Every season it was never clear right until the last race of the season who was
going to take overall victory. In the current season, however, it will be hard
to snatch victory from Thomas Hinterreiter but the battle for positions two and
three is still raging between Markus Barth and Stephane Mertens. So once again
it will be exciting right until the last race on 30th October in Valencia as
part of the Spanish MotoGP.

Thus the BoxerCup will end in its 4th international year (in 1999 and 2000 it
was carried out as a national event in Belgium and France). As part of the
MotoGP tour, up to 100000 spectators followed the races which offered nail
biting and hair rising excitement. And so we can apply the wise saying to the
BoxerCup that one should stop while the going is good.

Currently it is completely open how BMW Motorrad will continue its motor sports
commitment. "At the moment there are a lot of interesting ideas but there is no
rush and above all there is no need for making decisions", comments motor
sports director Hauser.