BMW M celebrates its 50th anniversary in 2022. To celebrate, MotoGP will offer a pure competition model as a “Safety Car” next season.
by Ana Villaécija from Motosan
La BMW M2 CS Racing will lead the MotoGP safety car fleet during the 2022 season. On March 6, during the Grand Prix of Qatar, a pure competition model like “Safety Car” will be seen for the first time in the World Motorcycling Championship. The BMW M2 CS Racing is part of the extensive range of competition models from BMW M Motorsport. In addition, it has achieved great success in championships around the world, as well as in the various international and national one-make cups that have the BMW M2 CS Racing.
« M stands for Motorsport, something we want to emphasize with the new BMW M2 CS Racing MotoGP Safety Car ", said Francis van Meel, CEO of BMW. “ BMW M GmbH combines high-performance production cars and motorsport under one roof. For this reason, we have selected a competition model from our BMW M Motorsport range to be the new MotoGP safety car, a fitting choice to mark the 50th anniversary. »
« The BMW M2 CS Racing has achieved numerous successes in numerous championships. And, as a thoroughbred race car, it is perfectly suited to leading the grid as a safety car in motorcycle racing's biggest competition. We look forward to our 24th season as the “Official Car of MotoGP” and to seeing the BMW M2 CS Racing in action as a Safety Car for the first time in Qatar ", said van Meel.
Carmelo Ezpeleta: “ BMW has always delighted us with new highlights«
Carmelo Ezpeleta, CEO of Dorna Sports, was also enthusiastic about this new “safety car”. “ BMW M has been our partner since 1999 and, throughout this long-term cooperation, has always delighted us with new highlights. With a safety car based on a real racing model, BMW M is once again setting a new benchmark this year. The BMW M2 CS Racing MotoGP Safety Car shows how deeply BMW M is rooted in motorsport. It is also further proof of the intensity with which BMW M GmbH brings its passion for motorsport to our partnership. We would like to congratulate BMW M on its 50th anniversary and look forward to an exciting new season together »
The competition model features a motor that generates up to 450 ch, depending on the version. It also includes motorsport-specific driving aids such as ABS and DSC, a mechanical limited-slip differential with preload and independent cooling. As well as specially manufactured driveshafts and a carbon roof. In its “Safety Car” version for MotoGP, the BMW M2 CS Racing only needed a few modifications, such as adding light bars to the roof and headlights. The livery of the new “Safety Cars” is based on the anniversary logo of BMW M GmbH, referring to its 50th anniversary.
The BMW M fleet for the 2022 season will also include the BMW M3 Competition Safety Car, BMW M4 Competition Safety Car, BMW M5 CS Safety Car, BMW M8 Competition Gran Coupé Safety Car, BMW X5 M Competition Medical Car and two motorcycles safety BMW M 1000 RR. An electric model, the BMW i4 M50 Safety Car, will lead the FIM Enel World Cup MotoE .
