Bmw Goes To Motogp

BMW GOES TO MOTOGP

Although the official announcement won't come until later this year, BMW will enter MotoGP, possibly as early as 2005. Rumors for years have hinted that BMW would return to toplevel roadracing, some even suggesting a BMW engine in a Kenny Roberts-built Proton, as this computer illustration implies. But the German company is developing its own chassis and 990cc three-cylinder engine, the latter based on a slice of the 3-liter V-10 that propels the BMW/McLaren Formula One car. Specific output for such an engine should be in the 250horsepower range, plenty to run with the top bikes. Development is being completed in Modena, Italy, under the direction of former Ferrari F1 chief engineer Mauro Forghieri, who is now in charge of ORAL High-Performance Engineering, part of a larger machining and design company said to be the best-equipped in Italy. Former GP star Luca Cadalora will begin testing the machine in the coming months. -Bruno dePrato