BMW Group Classic brings together past and present on the Isle of Man

Author Malcolm

Thursday, Aug 21, 2014 2:43 pm

 The German manufacturer will have a significant presence at the Grandstand with a large truck and marquee exhibiting classic and current BMW machines. The exhibition is centred on the 'BMW Kompressor that Georg 'Schorsch' Meier piloted to victory in the Senior TT seventy-five years ago.

Meier, who started out as an off-road rider and had only completed his first season in road racing the previous year, recorded a sensational average speed of 143.723 km/h (89.305 mph) on his way to the win. The bike will sit alongside the BMW S 1000RR that Michael Dunlop rode to victory in three races at this year's TT Races including the historic Senior TT win.

Three of the iconic marque's machines will also take part in the legendary Lap of Honour including Georg Meier's machine, which will be ridden by his nephew Wolfgang Meier. It will be joined by a 1937 BMW R 5 SS and a 1939 BMW R 51.

BMW Group Classic will display other models from the pre-and post-war era in its exhibition area behind the Grandstand, including a BMW R 63 from 1929 (BMW's first 750cc bike), a BMW R 5 from 1936, a BMW R 67 from 1951 and a BMW RS 54 from 1954, which was designed as a racing machine for privateer riders and could reach speeds of 200 km/h (124 mph). Other bikes on display include Jock West's 1939 Type 255 BMW RS 500, which he rode to second place in the following year's Senior TT.

BMW will also forge the link between past and present by showcasing its BMW R nineT. Launched in spring 2014, this contemporary interpretation of a classical concept is the brand's newest series-produced model. The BMW R nineT blends pared-down design with a boxer engine, a construction that has proved its mettle over more than 90 years.

David Cretney, MHK, the Isle of Man Government's Minister for Fun commented:

"BMW has made a real impact at the TT Races this year and we are delighted to be working with them to celebrate the company's success at this year's Classic TT event. It is great to see the return of such an iconic brand to the Isle of Man and fans are in for a real treat with their display of historic and modern machines."