BMW Motorrad South Africa withdraws from the 2014 SA Superbike Championship

Midrand, Johannesburg - BMW Motorrad South Africa has withdrawn from the 2014 South African Superbike Championship. The withdrawal is part of the global strategic realignment of BMW Motorrad to focus on new projects in 2014.

Over the last four years, BMW Motorrad South Africa Motorsport has established itself as one of the top teams in the SA Superbike Championship. In the last season, BMW Motorrad rider, Chris Leeson, took second place in the championship. Greg Gildenhuys, who made a guest appearance on a third HP4 last season, was the 2010, 2011 and 2012 South African champion. Geldenhuys also finished 13th in the 2013 World Superstock 1000 Championship with the BMW Motorrad Italia GoldBet Team.

In October this year, BMW Motorrad also announced its withdrawal from the Superbike World Championship to support private BMW teams and riders in a versatile manner. This includes on-site support at the circuit for those running the BMW S 1000 RR and BMW HP4 in national and international series, training workshops for engineers and technicians at private teams, and special racing packages for engines and electronics. At the same time as its factory involvement in the Superbike World Championship, BMW Motorrad has been running a customer racing programme for three years. In the future, BMW Motorrad customer teams in some parts of the world will be able to benefit even more from the manufacturer’s vast wealth of experience at the pinnacle of international racing. BMW Motorrad will not support any privateer teams in South Africa.

If you have any questions regarding this press release, please contact:

Mr Edward Makwana
Manager: Group Automotive Communications
BMW South Africa (Pty) Ltd
Tel: +27-12-522-2227
Email: edward.makwana@bmw.co.za

About the BMW Group:  
The BMW Group is the leading premium manufacturer of automobiles and motorcycles in the world with its BMW, MINI and Rolls-Royce brands. As a global company, the BMW Group operates 28 production and assembly facilities in 13 countries and has a global sales network in more than 140 countries.

In 2012, the BMW Group sold about 1.85 million cars and more than 117,000 motorcycles worldwide. The profit before tax for the financial year 2012 was euro 7.82 billion on revenues amounting to euro 76.85 billion. At 31 December 2012, the BMW Group had a workforce of 105,876 employees.

The success of the BMW Group has always been built on long-term thinking and responsible action. The company has therefore established ecological and social sustainability throughout the value chain, comprehensive product responsibility and a clear commitment to conserving resources as an integral part of its strategy.

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