BMW reach for the stars
By TMX Archives on 13th Nov 08
IT would appear that BMW Motorrad is keen to establish itself in the top echelon of the World Enduro scene with news that it has secured the services of David Knight, Juha Salminen and Marko Tarkkala for the 2009 season.BMW will front up at the opening round of the 2009 WEC series with an impressive line-up of top riders. The signings of Knight, Salminen and Tarkkala will strengthen the BMW Motorrad Motorsport factory team.In the 2008 season BMW Motorrad entered all eight rounds of the world's toughest off-road motorcycle championship for the first time with the G450X. Obviously the bar will be raised even further in 2009.Three top riders will enrich the team with their vast experience, high level of motivation and a strong will to succeed. David Knight (pictured) is a two-time World Enduro Cham-pion as well as two-time US Grand National Cross Country title winner. He is also known as being the king of extreme enduros' with victories at the Erzberg Rodeo, the World Indoor Enduro Cup, Last Man Standing, Hell's Gate and more.
And the two Flying Finns, Juha Salminen 14 times WEC World Champion, multiple USA, German, Spanish, Australian and Finnish Enduro Champion as well as multiple Finnish and European motocross and trials title winner and Marko Tarkkala, runner-up in E3 class of the 2008 WEC, double Finnish Enduro Champion.
The BMW Motorrad factory enduro team will be one of the strongest teams at the World Enduro Championship in 2009 a real force to be reckoned with.
The final decision who as to who will represent the strengthened off-road-team with its current riders Anders Eriksson, Jeff Goblet and Simo Kirssi in certain classes and competitions will be announced later.
It is for sure, that BMW Motorrad will take part in the Enduro world championship WEC as well as in the European XC Champs. It is also plan-ned to enter some rounds of the US GNCC series.
Andreas Lettenbichler and Gerhard Forster will once again be in the 2009 line-up for a number of demanding Extreme Enduro races, including some genuine classics and off-road treats.
David Knight: Like any rider you have to truly believe in both your machinery and team to perform at your best, and I have absolute faith in BMW.
It's an exciting time for everyone involved. Work-ing with new people and developing and racing what will start out as a new bike to me is no small challenge. How-ever, I know that my commitment is matched by that of BMW.
The fact that I will be racing for BMW on my return to the WEC is what really makes everything so exciting for me. My motivation to win is as strong as ever, and I know BMW are every bit as serious about winning as I am.
Juha Salminen: I think everyone can see just how committed and serious BMW are to their new G450X and the WEC. Personally, I am really looking forward to this new phase in my career. The progress that the team and engineers have made in two years is amazing. What's great for me is the fact that although BMW is a huge and experienced company, the enduro team is still young.
I know they will listen to my ideas, and the ideas of all the team riders, which will help us all perform at our best. It is also a genuine factory team, which means we will be able to develop our bikes exactly as we want them. It's going to be an exciting season next year.
Marko Tarkkala: I am really looking forward to this new challenge. With a new bike, new team, and new people it's a very exciting time for me,
and with hard work over the winter I'm looking forward to a great year in 2009.
The BMW bike has shown that it is extremely competitive so I can't wait to start racing it. It will also be good to be back working with Kari Tiainen. He's a good friend and has always helped me,so I'm looking forwardo working with him again.