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BMW Takes on the Daytona 200
Written by:
Neale Bayly
04/30/2008 - 10:32 AM
Charlotte, NC
Riders line up for the Formula Xtreme Daytona 200. (Photo: Neale Bayly) » More Photos
She is without a shadow of doubt a cruel and fickle mistress. Showing no respect to the many brave men who come to tame her, the stories of broken hearts, broken bones, and broken dreams could fill the pages of numerous books. But for all her misgivings she does extend favor to a chosen few, and for these lucky ones who get to experience her grace the taste is sweet. As the most grueling road race in America, the Daytona 200 is the ultimate test for a racing motorcycle as it runs flat out on the famous high banks. It is also the ultimate test for the motorcycle racer as he attempts to run at sprint race pace for two hundred miles.
Heading to Bike Week this year, I had the unique pleasure of watching the Daytona 200 from the inside as BMW had invited me to come and follow their race team. Entering four of their new HP2 Sport’s into the famous race, it was guaranteed to be a fascinating weekend whatever the outcome. It would also be the first time since the ‘70s that BMW would be racing at this level here in America. With no competitive motorcycle in the top class for the past twenty-five years, it wasn’t until the Daytona 200 switched to the Formula Extreme series that BMW really had a chance to compete.
Arriving in the BMW garage mid week, I quickly found team manager Bertie Hauser hard at work overseeing the many needs of four race bikes. Having had the pleasure of meeting and working with Bertie during the Boxer Cup days in 2003, his warm welcome set the stage for a fantastic week as my crew and I got to work. Quickly reconnecting with racers Brian Parriot and Richard Cooper, Bertie also introduced us to American Moto ST racer Nate Kearn, and German rider Rico Penzkofer. Checking on the time sheets, all of the riders were running within a half second of each other. They were running between the 22nd and 28th in a field of close to seventy riders. This meant they all would qualifying comfortably for the main event, so Bertie was in a positive mood as the days ticked down to the big race.
Heading out to the hot pit area to watch the bikes practice, it was fantastic to hear the unique sound of the Boxer twins blasting by at top speed. Mixed in with the high pitched wail of the four-cylinder Japanese machines, and the occasional Ducati twin with their characteristic sound, the sight and sound of the Bavarian beast at speed was most refreshing. Down a little on top speed, the plan for the race was to perform lightening quick pit stops, and to use BMWs legendary reliability to ensure they would be there at the end of the race. Watching the riders entering the pit to check settings, I have to admit looking at a bike with no full fairing, two great big cylinders hanging out in the breeze, and a shaft drive system taking power to the rear wheel, it seemed like an all up hill struggle. But, if any of this could be considered a handicap, no one in the BMW pit seemed to have noticed, as they labored furiously to ensure each of the machines was in the best possible shape for the big race.
Race day dawned to some viscous winds and the temperatures were decidedly chilly. At the circuit, hay bales and air fences were blowing all over the track and the days racing was seriously delayed. In the BMW garage, anxious mechanics made last minute checks as the riders patiently waited for their signal to go. “Watch pot never boils,” as my old mother used to say, and the time dragged slowly by as we waited for the officials to open the track.
Finally, a couple of hours behind schedule, the four HP 2 Sports took to the track for a twenty minute warm up session, and within minutes the evil mistress struck. Exiting a tight corner in the infield, the wind got under Nate Kearns bike and sent him tumbling into the grass. As a relatively minor get-off for a racer of Nate’s caliber, he unfortunately injured his wrist in a big way. Even though his bike only received minor
Let the Drama begin. With all the riders making the cut to start in the first wave, there was an air of optimism mixed with trepidation in the pit as the flag dropped and the race began. And then it happened. Nate couldn’t feel his throttle hand so pulled in, Brian Parriot high sided on lap one, and moments later Rico got rear ended nearly taking Richard Cooper out in the process. With barely three laps in the books, the BMW effort was looking as if it might be almost finished. But the team had put too much effort into the week to go down without a fight. Parriot quickly remounted, and thanks to the pace car coming out caught up at the back of the pack. Unfortunately he was back in 68th place now, but at least he was connected. Cooper was up in the top twenty already, so team BMW still had two riders doing battle.
Earlier in the week, Bertie had told me a top twenty position would be something the team considered a success. Top fifteen was something they whispered about at their most optimistic moments, but truth be told, I don’t think anyone was thinking top ten. So, as the laps began to tick by, and the usual Daytona attrition began to set in, the two BMW HP 2 Sports just kept making fast, consistent laps. Parriot kept inching his way up the order and Cooper held fast in the top twenty. And then the pit stops began and things began to change. Watching other teams struggling to get rear wheels changed and chains re located, it was a complete shock to see the HP2 Sport’s coming in. Screeching to a halt, in less than ten seconds the riders had new rear tires, full tanks of gas, and were leaving the pit. It was just incredible to see the speed and efficiency of the German crew, and heading back to watch the television monitor it wasn’t long before both riders were listed in the top fifteen.
Lap after lap as riders either dropped out or suffered long pit stops the two BMWs kept blasting away. Bertie was pacing like an expectant father in the maternity ward, and the rest of the crew were patiently waiting in case anything went wrong. At two-thirds race distance both riders came in for a second pit stop, and left less than ten seconds later with new tires and enough fuel to finish the race. They were now inside the top ten and you could have cut the tension with a knife.
The BMW Team members pose before the Daytona 200. (Photo: Brian J. Nelson) » More Photos
By now we were all doing the math. Both Cooper and Parriot had enough cushion from the rider behind them that barring catastrophe they were on for seventh and eighth place. And then Neil Hodgson rolled to halt and they jumped up a place. Bertie was almost in tears, and the rest of the crew were holding their breath. There was no way they could catch the top six, but they couldn’t be caught either, and when the crossed the line the whole team went absolutely nuts. BMW had come to Daytona to contest a race they had never entered before, on the most unlikely of racing motorcycles and come away with two bikes in the top ten. If the wind hadn’t taken Nate out, and Rico hadn’t been rear-ended who knows how the story might have ended. And, as we go to press, Cooper is currently being credited with fifth and Parriot sixth as Josh Hayes has been disqualified.
The celebrations were sweet, the team ecstatic, and my crew and I were happy to be swept up in the euphoria. We had watched an incredible effort by so many people achieve success far above what could have been expected. The Daytona 200 will always be a tough mistress, but in 2008 it will be remembered that she looked kindly on team BMW.
SEE THE BMW DAYTONA PHOTO ALBUM
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