PressClub Canada · Article.
BMW Motorrad presents Customizing Championship.
17.07.2023 Press Release
Spectacular BMW R 18 custom bikes from all over the world battle it out for victory.
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BMW Group
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Author.
Marc Belcourt
BMW Group
Munich.For years, the BMW R 18 has been inspiring
motorcycle fans all over the world to create fascinating customizing
creations. The upcoming BMW Motorrad Customizing
Championship is now intended to give due recognition to
outstanding creativity and artistic craft relating to the BMW R 18.
Initiative by 150 BMW Motorrad dealers from 18 countries.
Four R 18 models as a starting point.
The BMW Motorrad Customizing Championship will take
place from 11 April to 29 September 2023. This exciting competition is
an initiative of the BMW Motorrad global dealer network, with 150
dealers from 18 countries having already confirmed participation. They
will bring together motorcycle enthusiasts from around the world to
showcase creativity and skill in customizing BMW R 18 motorcycles.
Four models of the BMW Motorrad R 18 series can be used by
customizers – the R 18, R 18 Classic, R 18 B, and R 18
Transcontinental. The BMW R 18 showcases clear, contemporary
technology and a sleek, streamlined design that is sure to turn heads.
Striking a perfect balance between form and function, the BMW R 18 is
a true masterpiece of engineering and design. All the R 18 family
members offer a very conversion-friendly architecture for easy
customizing and optimal individualization: this was the focus when the
basic design of the R 18 series was originally conceived.
“We are thrilled to launch the first-ever BMW Motorrad
Customizing Championship,” says Stephan Reiff, Head of Customer,
Brand, Sales BMW Motorrad. “This competition is a celebration of the
passion and creativity of the BMW Motorrad dealer network and
motorcycle enthusiasts, and we can’t wait to see what new members of
the R 18 family the participants will come up with.” The winners of
the BMW Motorrad Customizing Championship 2023 will receive a range of
exciting prizes, including the opportunity to showcase their custom
motorcycles at major motorcycle events around the world.
Grand world finale at the opening of BMW Motorrad Welt in
Berlin.
The Customizing Championship is a way for
dealers and enthusiasts to show creativity in a freestyle format.
Participants will have the opportunity to customise their motorcycles
using their own unique designs and ideas, as well as the extensive
range of high-quality parts and accessories offered by BMW Motorrad.
The two best custom motorcycles from each participating country will
be selected at the National Contests, which will be eligible to
participate in the international semi-finals. In this semi-final, six
motorcycles will finally be selected by the jury of experts and one by
means of a public vote for the grand world final. This will take place
on the occasion of the opening of BMW Motorrad Welt in Berlin on 29
September 2023.
BMW Motorrad dealers from the following countries are confirmed
for the Customizing Championship 2023: Australia, Austria, Canada,
China, Czech Republic, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Mexico, Poland,
Portugal, South Africa, Spain, Switzerland, Ukraine, the United
Kingdom and the USA.
Registration for the Customizing Championship has already
closed, and participants have signed up on the official BMW Motorrad website.
The main details of the Customizing Championship:
-
National Championships: 15 May – 16 July 2023
-
International semi-final and vote for the best
bikes:
31 July – 14 August 2023
- World final in Berlin: 29 September 2023
Jury of international experts.
The competition
will be judged by a panel of experts, including renowned customizers
who are highly regarded within the motorcycle community such as Thor
Drake, Michael Lichter and Roland Sands. The jury members are as follows:
Thor Drake is a motorcycle builder and entrepreneur.
He is the founder of See See Motorcycles, a custom motorcycle shop and
coffeehouse based in Portland, Oregon. Drake was born in Montana in
1977 and grew up with a passion for motorcycles, eventually turning
his hobby into a career.
Michael Lichter is a photographer and curator who is
best known for his work in the motorcycle industry. He was born in
1951 in Boulder, Colorado, and began his career as a photographer in
the 1970s. Lichter has since become one of the best-known and
respected photographers in the motorcycle community.
Roland Sands is a motorcycle racer and designer. He
was born in Long Beach, California, in 1974 and grew up in the
motorcycle industry, with his father being a champion racer and
aftermarket parts manufacturer. Sands began his own racing career in
the 1990s, competing in events such as the AMA 250GP and the MotoGP
World Championship.
J. Shia is an internationally recognised and
award-winning motorcycle builder and designer. She is the founder of
Madhouse Motors, a custom motorcycle shop based in Boston,
Massachusetts. Shia was born in California in 1977 and grew up with a
passion for motorcycles, eventually turning her hobby into a career.
Giuseppe Roncen, editor and author of Italy’s car
culture and motorcycle magazine Lowride. He was born in 1964. His
passion for motorcycles began in Italy where he made his first custom
bike after working as in the filming industry before. Since 1994 he
has been working as a journalist and ever since writes about café
racers, cruisers and many more motorcycle topics, besides others.
Yuichi Yoshizawa is a well-known custom builder from
Japan who is creating bikes in multiple styles. He is one of the
owners of the Custom Works Zon, a famous workshop that has won many
international awards and created the “Departed” among others.
For more information about the BMW Motorrad Customizing
Championship 2023, including rules and registration details, please
visit the official website at https://www.bmw-motorrad.com/en/experience/stories/heritage/customizing-Championship.html
Disclaimer.
The vehicles shown may be modified
and fitted with third-party accessories and/or proprietary parts that
are not manufactured, distributed or tested by BMW. BMW accepts no
liability for the modifications (including the fitting,
characteristics and use of the accessories shown). NOTE: Modification
of series production vehicles (including the fitting and use of
third-party and self-made parts) can impair riding characteristics!
Riding our vehicles in modified condition is at your own risk.
You will find press material on BMW motorcycles and BMW Motorrad
rider equipment in the BMW Group PressClub at www.press.bmwgroup.com.
In case of queries please contact:
Dominik Schaidnagel, Spokesperson BMW Motorrad
Telephone:
+49-151-601-50181, Dominik.Schaidnagel@bmw.de
Tim Diehl-Thiele, Head of Communications BMW
Motorrad
Telephone: +49-151-601-57505, Tim.Diehl-Thiele@bmw.de
Internet: www.press.bmw.de
E-mail: presse@bmw.de
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