The clashing and infighting between former team manager Davide Tardozzi and Berthold Hauser on how to run BMW’s Superbike team seems to affected the BMW’s head honchos in more ways than one, because after the divorce by mutual consent just two weeks ago from Tardozzi, now Hauser has also gotten the boot from the German team and will be replaced by Bernard Gobmeier.
Gobmeier will be responsible for all BMW Motorrad Motorsport activities, including the company’s factory involvement in the Superbike World Championship, with a probable eye on an eventual move into MotoGP in 2012 when the rules allow 1000cc engines.
BMW has yet to announce who will be replacing Tardozzi.
Official press release after the jump.
BMW Motorrad Motorsport is heading into the future with a new management structure.
Bernhard Gobmeier will replace Berthold Hauser as BMW Motorrad Motorsport Director with immediate effect.
The move comes two weeks after BMW Motorrad and Team Manager Davide Tardozzi agreed to part company by mutual consent.
Gobmeier will be responsible for all BMW Motorrad Motorsport activities, including the company’s factory involvement in the Superbike World Championship.
“I’m pleased to announce this fundamental realignment,” says Hendrik von Kuenheim, General Director of BMW Motorrad.
“The new structure puts BMW Motorrad Motorsport in extremely good shape to meet the challenges of the future.
Bernhard Gobmeier has filled a variety of roles within the BMW Group over the years and brings his experience in motor sport to the job.
I’m in no doubt that he will continue to take BMW Motorrad Motorsport forwards with his analytical and structured approach.
He will bring himself up to speed with the current situation as quickly as possible and put the necessary measures in place.
”And von Kuenheim continues: “I would like to thank Berthold Hauser for all his good work over recent years.
He can look back on some impressive successes in his career as BMW Motorrad Motorsport Director.
Under his leadership Richard Sainct won the Paris-Dakar Rally in 1999 and 2000 as BMW Motorrad made its return to the event.
And Berthold Hauser was also responsible for the team’s successful start to life in the Superbike World Championship and its first podium finishes.
He will continue to perform a managerial role for BMW Motorrad.
”New BMW Motorrad Motorsport Director Gobmeier, adds: “I’m looking forward to taking on this new challenge in a top-class race series with a professional racing team and two strong riders.
Our aim is clear: to build consistently on the positive foundations which Berthold Hauser and his team have put in place over recent years, so that we can be in a position to win races on merit as soon as possible.
”Gobmeier, a qualified engineer, has worked for BMW AG for more than 16 years, during which time he has performed a variety of roles.
In 1994 and 1995 he was responsible for overhauling the company’s sales activities for BMW M vehicles in North America and restructuring its racing activities in the American Le Mans Series (ALMS) with the BMW M3 GT.
The native Bavarian then filled various management positions within BMW M GmbH between 1996 and 2008, before taking over as head of chassis development at BMW Motorrad in 2008.
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