New BMW S 1000 RR has its racing debut in the FIM Superbike World Championship.

Munich, 25th February 2015. The wheels are rolling again at the pinnacle of production-based motorcycle racing: the new season of the FIM Superbike World Championship (WSBK) kicked off last weekend. As has become the tradition, the spectacular Phillip Island Circuit in the south of Australia hosted the opening round of the series. Among the bikes on the starting grid: the new BMW S 1000 RR, which was making its debut at the WSBK season-opener and will be run by privateer BMW Motorrad riders and teams in numerous international and national championships around the world. The teams receive comprehensive support from the experts at BMW Motorrad Motorsport, who were also on hand at Phillip Island to support their racing customers with the preparation and set-up of their RRs.

Two privateer BMW Motorrad teams competed with the new RR in Australia: the BMW Motorrad Italia SBK Team and BMW Racing Team Toth. Sylvain Barrier (FR) is once again on the BMW Motorrad Italia SBK Team bike this year, while BMW Racing Team Toth sends Imre Toth (HU) and Gabor Rizmayer (HU) into action again in 2015. Unfortunately, Rizmayer crashed and broke his left wrist during Friday’s second free practice session. He had to undergo an operation and was unable to rejoin the action. The entire BMW Motorrad Motorsport family wishes him a speedy recovery.

Barrier was starting his second season in the Superbike World Championship at Phillip Island. The Frenchman was 17th in Saturday’s qualifying race. Barrier, who had some difficulties to find the right feeling for the Australian track, came home 15th and 12th to score his first points of the season. This time round Toth is also contesting his second year in the WSBK. The Hungarian started both races from 23rd on the grid, but narrowly missed out on his first World Championship points.

Next up, in four weeks’ time, is the FIM Superbike World Championship’s first appearance in Thailand. The Chang International Circuit in Buriram will host the second round of the 2015 season from 20th to 22nd March.