The team will contest British Superbikes, Superstock 1000 and International Road Races including the North West 200, Isle of Man TT and the Ulster GP in 2015.
Guy Martin and William Dunlop will be riding the BMW S 1000 RR on the roads, with Alastair Seeley also competing in the North West 200.
Michael Laverty and Tommy Bridewell will line up to challenge in British Superbike Championship – with Alastair Seeley also racing in the National Superstock 1000 support series.
Guy Martin:
“Moving to BMW machinery is the reason I’m still racing next year and not retiring. I’ll always give it my all and to be with a quality manufacturer like BMW is mega. I’m looking forward to getting on the bikes as soon as possible. It’s a new bike and I’ve never ridden it before, but we all know its pedigree. TAS are the best team I’ve ever ridden for; they get me and I get them and we meet in the middle, which is why we’ve been successful and this new venture with BMW is just what we need going into next season.”
William Dunlop:
“Moving to BMW is an exciting change and one I’m looking forward to. We all saw what the BMW S 1000 RR was capable of achieving this season, so with the expertise of the guys at TAS Racing, I’m pretty sure we can do a good job in 2015. I got my first international Superbike win last year and I’d really like more next year as it’s the class to do it in. We have a top team and I’m happy to be working with Guy again at the TT, where I think together we can be even stronger with this exciting new package.”
Michael Laverty:
“I’m delighted to be back in the TAS Racing fold for 2015; this time with a new manufacturer in BMW behind us. It’s a very exciting time for both myself and the team: we are both new to the BMW S 1000 RR but it is a bike built for the race track and I believe we have all the ingredients required to deliver the BSB title.
“I’m very motivated about my move back to BSB. I’ve spent the last two seasons in MotoGP and feel I’m a much stronger rider thanks to that experience, both on the riding and the technical side. I’ve really missed not being on a machine capable of delivering wins and podiums, so I’m already daydreaming about the battles head with Shakey and Co. next season.”
Tommy Bridewell:
“I’m really excited to be joining Tyco BMW for next season. I’ve met the team and they are a great bunch of guys and having ridden the BMW before, and watched what Kiyo was able to do on it this season, I know we will have as competitive a package as anyone on the BSB grid in 2015. In 2012 I put a standard BMW into the top six, so with factory support and the help of everyone at Tyco BMW, the goal is to be challenging regularly at the front and winning more races. I’m also looking forward to working with Michael [Laverty] as he has a lot of experience both in BSB and with the team. So I’m now counting down the days to the first test.”
Alastair Seeley:
“It’s great to be back with TAS Racing and to be part of the whole Tyco BMW set-up for next year. With factory support and what I believe to be the best machinery for both the Superstock class and the North West 200, I really can’t wait to get started. TAS Racing gave me the opportunity to win two British championships so the goal this year is to repay them and hopefully make that three. I’m also happy to be back in the Superstock class as I feel the BMW S 1000 RR will give me a great chance to win the championship and I’ve already started doing my homework for next season.”
Lee Nicholls, BMW Motorrad Marketing and PR Manager, said:
It is with great pleasure that we can finally announce BMW Motorrad’s support of the TAS Racing team for the 2015 British Superbike and Road Racing season.
“In 2014, BMW Motorrad had its most successful season of racing ever in the UK, which has enabled us to increase our support to both the British Superbike and Road Racing paddocks for 2015. The TAS Racing team will spearhead our assault on track, and on the roads, and will receive the full technical support from BMW Motorrad Motorsport in Munich within the framework of the BMW Customer Racing Strategy.
“As a company we are very much looking forward to working with Philip and his team and we are confident that together with the all-new S 1000 RR we will challenge for podiums and wins across the UK and Ireland next year.”
Phil Dashey, Vice President & General Manager at Tyco Security Products concluded:
“We’ve had a great working relationship with TAS; our brand has grown significantly as a result, so to renew with them, but work with a new manufacturer under the Tyco BMW banner is a very exciting prospect”
“We’ve enjoyed success on various platforms in a number of guises and liveries with the TAS team, but I’m sure I will echo everyone’s sentiments when I say our major goals for 2015 are to lift the British Superbike title and a coveted Isle of Man TT top step.”
Philip Neill – Team Manager:
“It really is a great honour for TAS Racing to be chosen by BMW to spearhead their racing efforts in 2015, and everyone involved has been very supportive in helping us put the correct package together.
“Although our agreement is with BMW Motorrad in the UK, the support we have received from BMW in Germany is already very encouraging. We will have full support from the factory both technically and personnel wise next season to help us achieve our goals.”
“We put a lot of thought into our rider line up for 2015 and as always the goal is to win races both in British championship and also at International level on the roads. We fully expect to be championship contenders in British Superbike and the National Superstock class next season racing BMW’s S 1000 RR, and on the roads I’ve every confidence that William and Guy will also benefit from riding top class Tyco BMW machinery.”
