BMW Confirmed for 2010 Isle of Man TT

The Isle of Man TT event promises to bring a number of exciting features this year. After revealing that a KTM superbike will race this year and it will also see the British racing debut of a Moto2 Grand Prix machine, organizers announced that German manufacturer BMW will also take part at the event.

The BMW Superbike will be ridden in both the Superbike and Senior TT races by German Rico Penzkofer, an official test rider for BMW. In fact, the 34-year-old has been involved in the developments of the S1000RR machine.

“To be representing BMW on their return to the TT is a tremendous honour for me and after my debut last year I can’t wait to return to the Mountain Course,” Penzkofer said.

“Riding the Superbike will obviously present a new challenge, but the bike is superb and that, combined with my own improved knowledge of the course, should see us able to make a good impression.Troy Corser and Ruben Xaus have proved in World Superbikes that the bike is competitive and we hope to do the same at the TT.”

BMW will enter the TT for the first time since the late 1970s, when riders were Helmut Dahne and Hans Otto Butenuth. Its first presence was back in 1937, when it has won 30 races, most of them in the sidecar class.

“It’s really exciting to see the return of such a prestigious marque to the Isle of Man TT and their involvement in the 2010 races is a great boost to an already strong list of manufacturers – more evidence that the TT is going from strength to strength,” added Tourism and Leisure Minister Martyn Quayle.