A new racing chapter: the KTM RC8 R, two top riders and the IDM KTM enters another chapter in the company’s rich racing history this coming weekend when it competes with a KTM Germany factory supported team in the opening race of the Int. German SBK Championships (IDM) at Lausitz onboard the new KTM 1190 RC8 R. The KTM Superbike Team Germany is managed by Konrad Hefele who brings with him 20 years of first hand knowledge and experience in street bike and GP racing. Between 2004 and 2006 Hefele managed the KTM Junior Team riding the 125cc two-stroke machines resulting in three consecutive championship 125cc titles for KTM in the IDM. Wealth of experience The team also has at its disposal two very experienced riders – Stefan Nebel, 28, of Germany: three times German Superbike champion and Didier Van Keymeulen, 25, of Belgium who won the FIM Superstock 1000 Cup title in 2005. In the hands of these experienced riders the orange KTM RC8 R will be put through its paces in the opening event of the championship held at the EuroSpeedway Circuit in Lausitz. This is the tenth consecutive year that Lausitz has hosted the opening of the IDM season. “We have an ideal choice of riders with Stefan Nebel and Didier Van Keymeulen,” Hefele said. “Both are very experienced and both are absolute professionals. They are mostly within two tenths of each other during tests so they are both as fast as each other. That is the ideal constellation for a new project. They will push each other,” he added. 16 exciting races on top racing circuits For the IDM the KTM riders will compete in an 8-race event series with two races per weekend at top locations in Germany, on the famous Salzburg Ring close to KTM’s factory in Mattighofen and at the renowned Assen GP circuit in the Netherlands. New chapter for Orange racing Entry into this challenging and very competitive competition is another chapter in the history of the Austrian manufacturer that is always “Ready to Race” and follows on from KTM’s first venture in the FIM Superstock 1000 World Cup last season with the first ever KTM RC8 machine. Now the R (for “racing”) version has been further developed and refined and project development leader Wolfgang Felber is looking forward to a good performance in the IDM. “I am confident that we will we will make a showing in the Superbike IDM,” he said, adding “We are breaking new ground with this project and we need time to overcome the advantage in experience of our competitors. But we are really looking forward to our first Superbike IDM season.” Follow the KTM Superbike Team Germany at the following race weekends: 24-26 April, EuroSpeedway Lausitz, Germany 15-17 May, Motorsport Arena Oschersleben, Germany 29-21 May, Nürburgring, Germany 19-21 June, Sachsenring, Germany 3-5 July, Salzburgring, Austria 31 July – 2 August, Schleizer Dreieck, Germany 21-23 August, TT Circuit Assen, Netherlands 11-13 September, Hockenheimring, Germany