BMW R1200S SWEEPS MEMORIAL WEEKEND DOUBLE HEADER IN THE MRA SUPERTWINS GTO HELD IN HASTINGS NE
The BMW R1200S piloted by #616 Brad Hendry trounced all competition in the double header Supertwins GTO races held by the Motorcycle Racing Association (MRA) over the Memorial Day weekend at the Motorsports Park Hastings complex in Hastings Nebraska.
The MRA 2nd Supertwins GTO race of the season on Sunday saw the BMW R1200S, starting from pole position, off to a slow start and into third position at turn 1 but into the lead after coming through a sweeping right hander turn 2. “I knew I had to make my move here as the two Ducati’s up front had more horsepower to my machine” said pilot Brad Hendry. “The telelever suspension system on the BMW allowed me faster corner speeds and I passed the Ducs into turn 2, then I turned on the awesome torque that the boxer engine has and pulled away in the first half of the long back straight” said Brad.
The BMW R1200S led the next 3 laps closely followed by Jon Glaefke on his Ducati 1098S, Ben Fox’s Ducati 996R and Jim Brewer bringing up fourth position on his Aprilia Mille. In the fourth lap, the higher horsepower Ducati 1098S of Jon Glaefke powered through the long back straight to take first position. The BMW R1200S held second position, closely following the 1098S, from the Ducatis and the Aprilia Mille during the next 4 laps.
Into the final turn the BMW R1200S powered under the first position Ducati 1098S to take first position. “Again the chassis features of the R1200S and the excellent torque delivery of the boxer engine was allowing me to hold a much faster corner speed on this fast flowing track and this really helped in the final turn to take that first position” said pilot Brad Hendry. “Jon was riding very well and it was all I could do to hold onto him doing most of the catch-up in the infield while he pulled me in the two long straights.”
The second Supertwins GTO race saw the R1200S in pole position and, after an excellent start, take the holeshot onto turn 1. Ben Fox on his Ducati 996R bird-dogged the R1200S for most of the race with the BMW R1200S leading the third race of the MRA Supertwins from start to finish. “Ben rode really well holding me in the in-field and catching me on the long straights” said R1200S pilot Brad Hendry (#616). “However the great cornering capability and wonderful torque delivery of the BMW came through for me in the fast corner sections and after about two thirds of the race I managed to pull a comfortable lead and bring my Bimmer home for the top podium position.”
#616 Brad Hendry is sponsored on his BMW R1200S by BMW Motorrad USA, EBMW Xplor.com, Foothills BMW Motorcycles, Michelin, Vanmar Racing, Bel-Ray Oils, Suomy, Spidi, Sidi and VP Fuels.
Prepared by Foothills BMW/Triumph Motorcycles of Lakewood Colorado
