Cycle News is a weekly magazine that covers all aspects of motorcycling including Supercross, Motocross and MotoGP as well as new motorcycles
Issue link: https://magazine.cyclenews.com/i/1542726
RPM Ventures Announces 50th Anniversary Celebration R PM Ventures, in partnership with MotoAmerica and the BMW Motorcycle Owners of America (MOA), announced a historic 50th anniversary cel- ebration at Daytona International Speedway on March 6-7, 2026. The event honors the golden an- niversary of the inaugural AMA Superbike race in 1976—a race that transformed the landscape of American motorcycling, re- established BMW as a premier maker of high-performance sporting machines, and ignited a passion for the brand among a whole new generation of riders. In March 1976, the "Bavarian Murder Weapons" (as dubbed by renowned race tuner Todd Schus- ter) fired a shot heard 'round the world. The Butler & Smith BMW R90S team secured a stunning 1-2 finish at the first-ever AMA Super- bike race at Daytona, with Steve McLaughlin nipping teammate Reg Pridmore by a mere three inches in a legendary photo finish. The victory proved that BMW was more than a manufac- turer of long-distance touring machines; it proved they could build "canyon carvers" capable of defeating the world's fast- est superbikes. BMW went on to sweep the top three spots in the 1976 season standings, with Pridmore capturing the first-ever AMA Superbike Championship. For the first time in decades, the three original Butler & Smith BMW R90S superbikes will be reunited at Daytona. These machines, prepared by legendary tuner Udo Gietl, featured then-rev- olutionary tech including Michelin slicks, Koni monoshock suspen- sion and many more innovations. The celebration bridges 50 years of racing excellence by also featuring the Tytlers Cycle Racing BMW M 1000 RR, the defending MotoAmerica Superbike Champi- onship machine ridden by Camer- on Beaubier in 2025. This display highlights BMW's journey from the 92-horsepower R90S to the WIND IN THE P38 Daytona Speedway is hosting an event in March to honor the golden anniversary of the inaugural AMA Superbike race in 1976. Three original Butler & Smith BMW R90S superbikes will be reunited at the event.