BACKROADS • AUGUST 2021
INDUSTRY INFOBITES
Page 9
News from the Inside
MOTOGP RETURNS TO CIRCUIT OF THE AMERICAS IN OCTOBER
A NEW BMW R1300GS?
Grand Prix racing in the US has a long history at legendary tracks such as Daytona, Laguna Seca and Indianapolis. In 2013, the impressive new Hermann Tilke-designed 5.513km ‘Circuit of The Americas’ in Austin, Texas, joined the MotoGP™ calendar and become an instant hit - with its cuttingedge facilities and a capacity for 120,000 fans.
It is believed that BMW was working on a new bike and engine update for some time. Last year trademark filings emerged for an M1300GS, which as well as nodding towards the high-performance range of M vehicles as seen with the recent M1000RR also suggests a change to the engine. The bike was spotted at an off-road center where BMW offers training. Although the bike was heavily disguised, there were clear changes to the engine including a new front engine cover, suggesting big changes to the bottom end of the engine. (Continued on Page 10)
The US has a fantastic motorcycling heritage - with great champions such as Kenny Roberts, Freddie Spencer, Eddie Lawson, Wayne Rainey and Kevin Schwantz being amongst the best riders to have ever competed in Grand Prix racing. COTA officials made the announcement via its social media platforms, and what’s referred to as the “Formula 1 of motorcycles” will speed around the track in the Red Bull Grand Prix of the Americas on October 1-3, 2021. Last year’s race was ultimately cancelled after being rescheduled from April to November due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The race at COTA is the only stop in North America on the MotoGP circuit this year.
ACE IN THE HOLE When Max Biaggi set the land speed record for electric bikes in the semi-streamlined class on Voxan’s Wattman last year, he used brute power to achieve it – with 367hp on tap to average 228mph. Now British firm White Motorcycle Concepts plan to beat that record using clever aerodynamics and two-wheel drive.
The company’s confection of carbon-fiber and billet aluminum is the first demonstrator of a new aerodynamic concept, the brainchild of founder and namesake Robert White, an engineer with a quarter of a century’s experience in motorsport. He will also ride the bike in the record attempt, but his plans are much more ambitious than simply going fast. He believes the same thinking that makes the WMC250EV 70% more aerodynamic than a Suzuki Hayabusa can be transferred to road bikes, working at sensible speeds to offer a boost in range, performance and economy that’s likely to be particularly useful for electric motorcycles.
