Two racers that BMW Motorrad Canada recruited for this year’s seven-round Canadian Thunder Series have repaid the faith shown in them by scoring back-to-back wins and a podium finish respectively this past weekend on R 1200 S machines, making it the most successful weekend of motorcycle racing ever for BMW in Canada.

Oliver Jervis of Victoria, British Columbia, rode the Schenker/BMW Financial Services R 1200 S to consecutive victories at round six of the series at Mosport International Raceway in Ontario. His team-mate Chris Duff of Whitby, Ontario, finished fourth and third, respectively, in the Saturday and Sunday races, to round off a fantastic weekend of racing that made history for BMW Motorrad Canada.

Oliver Jervis on his R 1200 S heads off the challenge of current series champion Darren James
"Our aim going into this year was to show the country that the sporting capabilities of the new 90kW R 1200 S are second to none," stated Norm Wells, Director of BMW Motorrad Canada. "The Canadian Thunder Racing Series is the perfect environment to showcase this machine and this breakthrough weekend by Oliver and Chris has proven that."

In Saturday's race, Oliver Jervis started out in fourth position, dropping back to sixth by turn one. During lap two, the former Supermoto, Supersport and BMW Boxer Cup racer moved up into second position behind Darren James - last year's series champion. At that point, Jervis gained the lead and hung on for the victory despite continued pressure from James. The win was the first for BMW in the Canadian Thunder Series.

"The torque and outright horsepower of the BMW enabled me to get by on the lengthy back straight," said Jervis. "This series offers some really exciting racing and I hope the fans were treated to a great show. I know I had fun."

Chris Duff - who also happens to be Manager of Motorrad Marketing for BMW Group Canada - had qualified on the second row in sixth position, managed to reach fourth by the second corner, and held this position all the way to the chequered flag.

Oliver Jervis and Chris Duff celebrate on the podium to round-up a fantastic weekend for BMW Motorrad
Buoyed by the fantastic set of results on Saturday, Jervis and Duff lined up on Sunday knowing that a double podium was possible. Although Jervis and Duff both claimed their standings by the second corner of the race, the win was actually determined on the last lap. Jervis again managed to triumph on his R 1200 S, and Duff overcame McCormick for a third place finish. The unprecedented weekend has put Jervis in second place in the overall Parts Canada Superbike 'Canadian Thunder Series' standings, with 216 points, while Duff is currently in sixth place with 146 points.

The next race in the 2006 Canadian Thunder series is round six in Shubenacadie, Nova Scotia, on 11-13 August.