Bmw's Cup Runneth Over
BMW'S CUP RUNNETH OVER
BMW HAS AXED THE POPULAR BoxerCup roadracing series for 2005, and is replacing it with the new PowerCup, a “spec” series that will see riders compete on identically prepared K1200R naked bikes.
These will not, however, be run-of-the-mill production machines. Obvious changes include the CFP-Driesch carbon-fiber bodywork, which includes a solo seat cowl and belly pan not seen on the prototype R shown last year at Munich, the latter presumably in the interest of oil retention should the motor go south. The handlebars look
to be a smidge lower, the rearset footpegs higher and the Laser exhaust system tucked in tighter to maximize cornering clearance. If a racer drags the cylinder head on this bike-as was common with last year’s BoxerCup racebikes-he’s in big trouble!
Barely visible in the photos are the twin Öhlins shocks on the Duolever front and Paralever rear suspensions, said to offer a greater range of adjustability than on the similarly equipped Boxers. As for engine performance from the across-the-frame Four, figure 10 or so more horsepower than the S-model’s claimed 167. That’s a far cry from the 100 or so ponies of the old Boxer Twins, which should make for faster-and thus much more exciting-racing.
One looming consideration is cost. With the PowerCup racebikes reportedly priced close to $25,000 apiece, teams may not be able to afford to purchase and run their own machines as they did in the BoxerCup. So BMW is considering building a fleet of racebikes that will be leased to the competitors, who will be randomly given bikes at each round. One side-benefit of this scenario is it will make cheating difficult, if not impossible.
As it now stands, the PowerCup series will run at seven rounds of the MotoGP World
Championship. Unfortunately, Laguna Seca is not on that list, but there is talk of adding it in 2006. -Brian Catterson
