Australian Damian Cudlin’s BMP-ELF-99 Racing Team will race a BMW S1000RR in the remaining Endurance World Championship rounds, after reaching an agreement with the German motorcycle manufacturer that will see the team powered by BMW for the remainder of 2010 and into the 2011 season.
The BMW S1000RR will make its debut in BMP-ELF-99 livery during two days of testing at the Circuit De Nevers Magny-Cours in France this week.
Participating in this first test will be Matthieu Lagrive, Erwan Nigon, Sébastien Gimbert and Cudlin, the four riders who will race the bike in this year’s prestigious Bol d’Or, which takes place at the Magny-Cours circuit from 10-12 September.
“I am obviously very pleased that BMW think the BMP-ELF-99 Racing Team worthy of their support in our first season in the Endurance World Championship,” team manager Michael Bartholemy.
“Everyone in the team has worked so hard since the start of the year to ensure we were competitive in our debut season and I think the agreement with BMW, that will see us campaigning the excellent S1000RR for the remainder of this year and next, illustrates just how much of an impact we’ve had on the championship in such a short space of time.
“We already knew that the S1000RR was a competitive package, but as work has progressed on preparing everything ready for testing ahead of the Bol d’Or, we’ve been extremely impressed with both the bike and the level of support we’ve received, not just from BMW, but also from Elf and Michelin.
“I am looking forward to making our debut with the S1000RR at the Bol d’Or, where I hope we can secure a result to repay the faith that BMW have shown in us.”
Elf will continue as the title sponsor of the team with another iconic French brand, Michelin, joining as the BMP-ELF-99 Racing Team’s tyre supplier.
This is the BMP-ELF-99 Racing Team’s first season in the Endurance World Championship, where they made an immediate impact by qualifying second for the 24 Hours of Le Mans and on pole position for the 8-Hours of Albacete race.
The team currently lie in 10th place in the championship standings, after deciding not to contest the recent Suzuka 8-Hour race.