FIM EWC: Historic podium finish at the Suzuka 8 Hours.
BMW Motorrad Motorsport achieved a historic podium finish at the Suzuka 8 Hours, marking the first time a European manufacturer has reached the podium in the event's 47-year history.
BMW Motorrad Motorsport and its World Endurance Team secured a historic third-place finish at the Suzuka 8 Hours, the first podium finish for a European manufacturer in the race's history. The team, consisting of Michael van der Mark, Markus Reiterberger, and Steven Odendaal, navigated challenging conditions that alternated between heavy rain and a drying track. The #37 BMW M 1000 RR demonstrated strong pace throughout the event, holding second place after qualifying before delivering a composed race performance. The team's pit crew executed flawlessly, contributing to the historic result.
The Suzuka 8 Hours served as the third round of the 2026 FIM Endurance World Championship (FIM EWC), with BMW's full-season entry finishing as the highest-placed permanent team. Victory and second place were claimed by all-star line-ups from Honda and Yamaha, specifically assembled for the event. BMW's achievement narrowed the gap in the world championship standings, positioning the team competitively for the season finale. The #37 BMW M 1000 RR had already shown strong performance in earlier sessions, reinforcing its competitiveness in Honda's home territory.
BMW Motorrad Motorsport also celebrated success in the Superstock class, with Team Étoile securing second place and Champion-HERT Powered by MRP finishing fourth. The #76 BMW M 1000 RR, ridden by Naomichi Uramoto and Sylvain Guintoli, led for much of the race before a penalty dropped them to fifth. The team's third rider, Hannes Soomer, was unable to compete due to injury, with Christophe Ponsson stepping in during qualifying. The event highlighted the BMW M 1000 RR's potential across multiple categories.
The 2026 FIM EWC season finale, the 24-hour Bol d’Or, is scheduled for September 19–20 at Le Castellet, France. BMW Motorrad's team now trails the championship lead by 19 points, with a victory at the Bol d’Or remaining a viable target. Team Manager Werner Daemen expressed confidence in the team's progress, noting that the podium finish in Suzuka positions them strongly for future challenges.