BMW Motorrad BoxerCup Le Mans preview

BMW BoxerCup 2004 arrives in Europe. France first.

The BMW Motorrad BoxerCup 2004 moves to Le Mans, France, this weekend for the second round of the eight round title chase that started a couple of months ago at Daytona international Speedway in Florida where American rider Brian Parriott took his first win in the series. Now Europe beckons for the remaining seven rounds of the BMW Motorrad BoxerCup 2004 with all events taking place during MotoGP weekends on the Saturday afternoons after final qualifying, less for Assen when the race will take place on Saturday morning.

Daytona proved that speed combined with an ultra smooth touch is again going to be the winning way en-route to a brand new BMW M3 Coupe come the end of the season. Parriott managed to stun seasoned commentators with a break away win at Daytona, something that may prove a valuable asset at the fast slip streaming circuits on the BMW Motorrad BoxerCup 2004 calendar. Le Mans is a twisty tight circuit that is nowhere near as fast as the Daytona, but no less difficult for the riders to use their 98 bhp BMW R 1100 S bikes around the 4.180kms Bugatti circuit.

BMW BoxerCup Ambassador Randy Mamola was one of many locals cheering Parriott in Victory Lane at Daytona. "I'm so happy for not only an American to win at Daytona, but an American from my home town in California, San Jose. I'm supposed to be a neutral and help everybody, but I was very happy for Brian! Going to Le Mans though and starting the main part of the BMW Motorrad BoxerCup 2004 is fantastic. The races are so close and such good entertainment that I can't wait to see who's going to come out the winner each time. In fact, I think we'll have to wait until the very last corner at all of the races to see who is going on top of the podium!"

Austria's Thomas Hinterreiter comes to Le Mans second in the overall standings with Markus Barth third, both of whom have won BMW Motorrad BoxerCup 2004 races in the past, and are sure to have their eyes on the winners trophy as soon as qualifying gets underway on Friday evening.

Britain's Barry Burrell came home best in America to lead the YoungStar section of the BMW Motorrad BoxerCup 2004 open to the best under 21 year old rider. He finished 5th at le Mans last year and will be keen to continue his way at the top of the YoungStar table as a Mini Cooper awaits him at the end of the season.

Last year torrential rain nearly sent the race down the local river such was it's strength, but through it all Italian Alessandro Tomassoni to win a tremendous race and in the process he carved a reputation as an excellent wet weather rider. Weather conditions may well be the same for this weekend, but in years past the sun has made perfect.

Guest riders again have their place on the grid with journalists David Dumain and Zef Enault riding the two VIP bikes.

The big 24 hours circuit at Le Mans has many happy memories for BMW on four wheel as in 1995 their specially built V12 engine mounted in the back of the McLaren F1 sports car sped to victory on it's debut at the track. In 1999, a BMW chassis and engine combination won the race in front of a massive field, and at the time at a record pace.

The second round of the BMW Motorrad BoxerCup 2004 race starts at 16.30hrs on Saturday 15th May and will be over 17 laps.

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