BMW on the verge of a historic Suzuka triumph: “We can fight for victory”

The BMW works team is heading into the Suzuka 8 Hours with high hopes. Following the cancellation of Saturday’s Top 10 Trial due to the weather, Friday’s combined qualifying session was declared the official starting grid. This means BMW will tackle the endurance classic from second on the grid – conditions have never been better.

“We’re delighted with second on the grid. We’ve never been this far up the order before!” said Markus Reiterberger. However, the result wasn’t entirely without its downsides for the German. Reiterberger is convinced that pole position would even have been possible. “I made a small mistake in qualifying yesterday, which may have cost us pole position. Unfortunately, the weather didn’t play along and prevented the Top 10 Trial from taking place. That’s a shame.”

Nevertheless, the Bavarian heads into race day feeling very positive. “The bike is working well here. My team-mates and I are feeling confident; the team is in a really strong position this year. We can fight for the win, and that’s the most important thing.”

Van der Mark was still aiming to beat Rea’s time

Michael van der Mark is also optimistic about the season’s highlight. With a lap time of 2:04.485 minutes in qualifying, the Dutchman played a key role in BMW closing the gap to Honda HRC to just 0.075 seconds.

Michael van der Mark auf der Werks-BMW

Foto: BMW

“I’m disappointed I couldn’t beat Johnny yesterday,” joked van der Mark, referring to Jonathan Rea’s fabulous time, before adding with a laugh: “No, it went really well. I managed a good lap, even though I know where I can still improve.”

Like Reiterberger, van der Mark also regretted the cancellation of the Top 10 Trial. “I love this format; it’s a great show for the fans.” Starting from second on the grid, however, the Dutchman feels well prepared. “I think we’re very well prepared for the race and will be strong.” For van der Mark, a victory would also be historic: “I love the circuit; it makes riding easier. This year could be our chance to become the first European manufacturer to win.”

Rain specialist: Will Odendaal be the wild card?

Team-mate Steven Odendaal also senses a special atmosphere within the team ahead of the race. “I feel good on the bike. My team-mates did an incredibly good job in qualifying. I’m really proud that we’re the first European manufacturer to be in this position.”

Regen könnte am Sonntag alles durcheinander bringen

Foto: BMW

As well as the team’s success, the South African also has a personal goal in mind. “It would be a dream for us to make it onto the podium. No South African has ever stood on this podium before. That’s why I want to achieve it.”

Daemen: BMW stronger than ever before!

Team manager Werner Daemen also believes his team is stronger than ever before. “I’m delighted that we’re in second place on the grid. We’ve been on a par with Honda HRC, the Yamaha works team and YART all week.”

The Belgian believes that this year BMW has the best chance in the team’s history to make motorsport history. “For the first time, I’m truly convinced that we can make it onto the podium. That’s our main goal, provided it stays dry. If it rains, it’s a lottery for everyone.”

Should BMW actually make it onto the podium – or even right to the top – on Sunday, it would be a milestone for European motorcycling. So far, no European manufacturer has managed to prevail against Honda, Yamaha, Kawasaki and Suzuki at Suzuka.