The Milwaukee BMW World Superbike Team are completing preparations for their debut in the 2016 FIM World Superbike Championship.
Ahead of their first test in Jerez, the team are proud to announce an exclusive 3-year deal with Gulf Oil International as the official lubricants partner of Milwaukee BMW.
The agreement will see the iconic oil giant enter World Superbikes for the first time in its long history of motorsport, in what will also be the maiden WorldSBK season for title sponsor Milwaukee and holding team Shaun Muir Racing.
Contesting the 2016 series on BMW S1000RRs will be 2015 British Superbike champion Josh Brookes, and former MotoGP rider Karel Abraham.
Australian Brookes, 33, last competed on the world stage nine years ago, achieving a highest finish of third in the World Supersport championship. In 2015 Josh achieved his goal to win the British Superbike Championship, and is now relishing the prospect of racing at international level again.
Czech rider Abraham, 26, comes fresh from the MotoGP grid, where he achieved success in three bike classes over seven seasons. Well-versed in the international motorsport scene, Karel is eager to face the challenges of a new motorbike series.
Ahead of the team’s first WorldSBK test in Jerez on 26th January, team coordinator and race engineer Mick Shanley commented on the team’s progress and aspirations:
“After a very successful 2015 BSB season, it is time to take the next exciting step in the team’s history. Everyone has been working flat-out over the winter, and to see the new bikes hit the track for the first time will be a great reward for the team’s efforts.”
During a busy off-season period, the team has discovered newfound vigour and excitement in anticipation of the challenges presented by the WorldSBK series. With new parts arriving every day and the start of the season nearing, designer and race engineer Ian Lord spoke about the team’s efforts:
“We’ve spent the last few months making the bikes to the highest possible standard; now we just need to get them on track and see what they need for the season. It’s looking good right now, so we hope to prove that the bike is as quick as we know it can be.”
As he prepares to take his championship-winning team around the world for the first time, team principal Shaun Muir stated:
“This is a very exciting time for the entire team, riders and sponsors. The final piece in the jigsaw has come together with the signing of Gulf. Obviously a partnership with a global lubes and fuels company is essential for any WorldSBK team, and we look forward to the benefits that working with Gulf and its products will bring. The Gulf partnership – with fuel stations in 21 countries and lubricant business in over 100 countries – gives the team a truly global partnership and I feel we now have all the ingredients needed to mount a serious challenge in the World Superbike Championship. No one is underestimating the size of the challenge, but we are ready and we are focused. The guys have put in an enormous amount of hours and effort to get to this position, and we can’t wait to get on track now.”
The official Milwaukee BMW unveiling and launch will take place on Thursday 25th February at Phillip Island, Australia, after the final pre-season test at the circuit.
The 2016 FIM Superbike World Championship begins on Friday 26th February at Phillip Island.
Key dates:
• 26th-27th January – WorldSBK pre-season test at Jerez, Spain
• 3rd-4th February – WorldSBK pre-season test at Aragon, Spain
• 22nd-23rd February – WorldSBK pre-season test at Phillip Island, Australia
• 25th February – official Milwaukee BMW team unveiling and launch at Phillip Island
• 26th-28th February – first round of the 2016 FIM World Superbike Championship at Phillip Island
