With a fourth place finish at the Suzuka 8 Hours, Team BMW Motorrad France 99 has taken the lead 2011 FIM Endurance Championship.
The BMW has finished in the top five at every race this season. A podium finish at the Bol D'Or 24 hour race started the season for the BMW team, and was quickly followed up by the team's first victory at the 8-hour race in Albacete. A fourth place finish at Suzuka now puts the BMW team 6 points ahead in the overall standings.
"This is an unbelievable result for BMW", said Marcel Driessen, Director BMW Motorrad France. "To take fourth place on our debut at Suzuka is incredible enough, but to also take the lead in the World Championship standings is simply fantastic."
BMW has been the most consistent team this year, and was the only regular FIM Endurance Team to give the factory Japanese teams a run for their money at the Suzuka 8 Hours. Teams like the Honda TT Legends and the Suzuki Endurance Racing Team, the defending champions, had a tough weekend in Japan. The TT Legends had to deal with mechanical issues, while the SERT team could only muster a ninth place finish after a disappointing qualifying session.
"The team have done a great job with our BMW S 1000 RR this season, but we cannot rest on our laurels," Driessen continued. "We need to continue to work on the bike, to ensure we have the most competitive package possible for our home race at Le Mans and the season finale in Qatar. Congratulations to the team and our riders on leading the championship, and let's hope we can maintain this position until the end of the season."
The BMW team, which consists of Erwan Nigon (FRA), Sébastien Gimbert (FRA) and Damien Cudlin (AUS), will have a little time off before they get a chance to extend their lead at the top. Team BMW Motorrad France 99 will have another 24 hour race in September at Le Mans.
