Speedbrain BMW Rally Team enters the Dakar

Team speedbrain enters the Dakar 2011 as a powerful newcomer. Riders for the German-based squad are 450cc specialist David Fretigne, of France, and Dutchman Frans Verhoeven. Portugal’s Paulo Goncalves and Pedro Bianchi Prata are completing the BMW outfit racing with speedbrain technology. Speedbrain, who are operating the offroad factory team for BMW Motorrad Motorsport since a couple of years, have recently developed a distinctive rally bike based on the BMW G 450 X. Multi-time Dakar stage winner Verhoeven has been instrumental in the process as the development rider.

David Fretigne enters the Dakar 2011 with the ambition of winning the legendary event. “I signed with speedbrain with the clear goal of winning the Dakar. The decision didn?t come easy after 14 years of riding for a different brand. I see the co-operation with speedbrain as a major opportunity. I am totally confident in the team, its structure and competence. The way the BMW handles and the potential of the package is very impressive. Together we?re bringing a lot of experience to the table. We both know a thing or two about bike development, setup, fine-tuning and equipment in general. I?ve waited a long time for this moment. My ambition for many years has been to win the Dakar, and I?ve used all my abilities to work towards that goal. I?m highly convinced that it will now become reality.”
In 2009, David Fretigne has been the first rider to reach a Dakar podium riding a 450cc machine.

The rally race bike takes advantage of the concept of the BMW 450 X, resulting in an exceptionally light and nimble motorcycle, yet very stable at higher speeds. The small silhouette of the machine ensures minimal air resistance, while the powerful and reliable BMW engine is the ideal power plant – together forming a highly efficient combination. The 30-liter fuel tank is located at the center of the bike right under the seat, providing a handy and well-balanced setup.

Team manager Wolfgang Fischer adds: “The experience and know-how gathered through the collaboration with BMW Motorrad Motorsport has given speedbrain the perfect foundation to enter the Dakar with a modified BMW 450 X. The bike allows for an excellent weight distribution and provides an incredibly nimble feeling. The position of the tank made room for a new approach and the 450cc displacement rule fits nicely into the framework. The co-operation between speedbrain and Frans Verhoeven, who is a remarkable research and development rider, certainly comes to fruition. We are very happy to welcome David Fretigne in our team, who already underlined his speed on 450 cc bikes against much stronger engines of his competitors. It is also a pleasure to support fast Paulo Goncalves and Pedro Bianchi Prata. Paulo recently won his first podium at the Vodafone Rally in Morocco, both Portuguese riders are real team players. To make this happen has been a personal dream of mine. We are in front of a new challenge, and we are ready for it.”

History of Speedbrain: In 2006, speedbrain race management was founded exclusively for BMW’s new involvement in off-road racing. The key positions were filled with top professionals who have been successful in the scene for many years. Managing director Wolfgang Fischer leads the team together with Markus Theobald, who is project manager on the technical side.

The team started virtually from zero. First a racing bike with flat twin engine was used. Rewards were not long in coming. The Finn Simo Kirssi secured sensational success on the HP2 on the notorious Erzberg, including victories in the King’s Class and the Prologue. The Open Class at the famous Pikes Peak in Colorado (USA) also brought a double victory in 2006. Not a bad start …

In 2007 prototypes of the BMW G 450 X were already being used and caused a stir at the first race of the WEC 2007.

In 2008 BMW returned to professional enduro racing with the BMW G 450 X. Once again it was Simo Kirssi who set the pace, winning the German and European Championships in cross country racing in the very first year. At the WEC, Kirssi secured BMW Motorrad’s first podium position – a real sensation in BMW Motorrad’s first full World Championship season. The sheer speed of this success is also due to the development work of longstanding off-road specialists such as Joel Smets and Anders Eriksson.

For the current year, BMW Motorrad has been able to gain the services of the best enduro riders in the world. David Knight, Juha Salminen, Marko Tarkkala and Simo Kirssi will be chasing the title in the two WEC classes E2 and E3, also taking part in cross country races and extreme enduros. The stated aim: to win the world championship!

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