Mladin and BMW?

jduke · 12-12-2009, 08:17 AM

I heard Mladin and BMW are in negotiations about a possible team deal. Anybody heard this?

signit98 · 12-12-2009, 08:35 AM

well... there's another rumor (for a while now) that Jordan is going to be the BMW team this year...

Bob Hancock · 12-12-2009, 08:46 AM

RRWorld article says that "Corser and Xaus have already been signed for 2010....".

FWIW.

signit98 · 12-12-2009, 08:59 AM

This is about AMA/National, Bob...

Bob Hancock · 12-12-2009, 09:01 AM

Oh.

roger albert · 12-12-2009, 09:02 AM

I'd be shocked to hear Mladin running in the states. Interesting, even though WSBK is more likely.

jduke · 12-12-2009, 09:15 AM

Ralf, in the spirit of the season I won't go into how wrong you are but the rumor concerns a second team in WSB. Merry Christmas. Bob, don't worry this liberal has your back.. :-}

roger albert · 12-12-2009, 09:33 AM

I've seen the rumor too. Jeez where would the budget come from though?
And now that Yoshi is entering WSBK, it seems they'd most likely maintain Matt.
Hmmm.

signit98 · 12-12-2009, 10:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jduke

Ralf, in the spirit of the season I won't go into how wrong you are but the rumor concerns a second team in WSB. Merry Christmas. Bob, don't worry this liberal has your back.. :-}

In light of what Roger said, that is likely just a rumor without much substance then... at least when it comes from BMW... they don't have the coin for a second team and they are way to busy, sorting the existing team out after their first season of collecting all sorts of data.

They only thing that may be on the horizon is that Jordan decides to throw ungodly amounts of money towards a WSBK team... the "rumor" I have heard is that he might be interested in a BMW National Team, in light of what's happening to Suzuki USA.

I generally only refer to rumors I get from sources reasonably close to the mother ship... so, yes, I was wrong... because there is simply no real possibility for that to happen, I automatically went to AMA/National racing... sorry.

I am sure Bob doesn't need his back had, Jerry, no matter how liberal you are... and I'll leave that alone for now

jduke · 12-12-2009, 12:19 PM

I just heard Irzanger, I believe another Australian, is in negotiations to run a satillite BMW team in WSB for 2010. Mladin is part of the negotiations. I don't know in what capacity.

Chris Canning · 12-12-2009, 12:23 PM

Mladin had another life before deciding to hide in the US and make his millions,he came to Europe and sank without trace,non of which over the years has bothered him as he's made his money,Spies going to WSB and now GP has clearly woken the racer up in him,Mladin may well have a reputation in the US,but that doesn't cut any s*** anywhere else and he knows it,and maybe wants a slice of the cred like Spies has got.

He made his decision to take the money over the glory years ago,i can't believe at his age he will want to to tread in Spies's foot steps,the full factory BM has still a way to go,although i'd certainly expect something within 3/4 races,a support team would be a waste of time,unless he's resorted to the bucks before glory again(or it's a factory bike in support colours),which leaves what i would have thought is the option Yoshi,which will just leave him a bit part player,it'll be good for the WSB series to wheel him out as multiple AMA champ,but i can't see either option doing him any good,just leave a lot of if's and but's about staying in Europe all those years ago.

Cambridge K · Cambridge K's Garage

SCOOP: Mladin linked to BMW satellite ride - Motorcycle racing news: WSB - Visordown

Highlander179 · 12-12-2009, 08:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jduke

Ralf, in the spirit of the season I won't go into how wrong you are but the rumor concerns a second team in WSB. Merry Christmas. Bob, don't worry this liberal has your back.. :-}

since we're in the spirit, there's already a 2nd BMW team in SBK

Privateer BMW squad joins 2010 WSB line-up - Motorcycle racing news: WSB - Visordown

Merry Christmas

Chris Canning · 12-13-2009, 01:05 AM

You boys really want to watch a BMW team with a great chance of winning,keep an eye on the BM/Michelin team run by the French importer next year,run by Rigoni and ridden by Lagrive/Gimbert/Nigon,they will make their debut at Le-Mans also with a second BM team,the World Endurance regulars have already sat up and taken notice.

jduke · 12-13-2009, 06:32 AM

Thanks for the heads up Chris. I'll have to program the Tivo and follow the series as much as we get over here.

Dr. Curve · 12-13-2009, 06:08 PM

When doom-a-whit-ch-it says "BMW does not have the coin for a second team" how would anyone know that? Even if THEY don't (which the do if they want to) BMW can go a long way to helping other teams that use their new 1000RR bike in WSB. This bike is really coming on big. Production was delayed so that improvements learned from WSB could be incorporated into even the first run bikes. We are all in for a wonderful BMW season this upcoming year. All positive from here on in.

signit98 · 12-13-2009, 07:30 PM

Do you have ANY idea how much it costs to run a WSBK team... even a hint?

Reitwagen Racing is going to run the "SATELLITE" team and they have made it VERY CLEAR that this is NOT a factory effort. They'll receive some support from BMW in certain areas but are fully responsible for financing the campaign...

Kinda cool though, that there is enough interest from a separate entity, to risk that kind of money on a bike that has shown potential, but still has far to go... I am with you though, next season we will see where they really stand.

I am glad to see that they have obviously learned to use the momentum in their favor... a task that seemed to big for them in the past - on many occasions.

The competition is NOT sleeping though... should be fun to watch.

signit98 · 06:19 AM

Jim, I rode a K13S a little while ago... and while it was fun to ride for the time being, the I-4 does not work for me as a bike to own... neither did any of the gixxer grand or blade's I have ever ridden... the only engine that comes close to being fun is the new R1 CP engine... it still does not have the characteristics of a twin...

I don't like that high revving pitch or the sudden burst of power... what I do like, however, it Triumph's Tripple... very close to the torque band of a twin and yet, it likes to rev like an i-4 with a much different sound...

I stick with my twins and thumpers... maybe not as fast (which helps me keep my license) but with a boat load of character...

The average budget for a WSBK team is around 6 million dollars... factories spend considerably more...

roger albert · 12-14-2009, 06:49 AM

The triples are cool, and I wish BMW would do one. That having been said, I'm definitely not adjusting to the powerband of mine very quickly. I'm going to run the trumpet for now, but would definitely consider switching to the bmw if they start minting them.

I think the world endurance series will be a good one to watch, and would think a top-3 is achievable there. That's a top-notch team they've assembled there. I think they're a half-notch off the top with their current wsbk lineup. Good for development last year, and maybe next year, but they're going to have to step it up the year after.

Would love to see them stick it in up with the Yamahas, Aprilias, Hondas and Ducatis. At least some 3rds to get some camera time.

Chris Canning · 12-14-2009, 09:51 AM

Roger

That BM endurance team is cabable of winning,traction control of WSB spec isn't such an issue,but now that Michelin don't do WSB or GP,they'll provide the very best in tyres like they did this year,it was marketed as a Michelin R+D bike,but underneath was factory Honda,the very least i would expect is a podium,rider's and team will be good enough,and the bike has proven to be reliable,teams have weeks to qualify and get a good set up for Le-Mans,so lack of data isn't such a problem.