Roy Oliemuller, BMW Motorrad USA Communications Manager, says his company – which is poised to enter World Superbike racing in a big way in 2009 with win, spin or stick-a-hole-in-the-fence madman Ruben Xaus – was not involved in any discussions concerning the potential establishment of a manufacturer-controlled, MIC-sanctioned North American road racing series designed to compete with the AMA and FIM-sanctioned, DMG-promoted 2009 AMA Superbike Series. BMW thus joins Ducati as another motorcycle manufacturer that had no idea that the Motorcycle Industry Council, which alleges to speak on behalf of the industry, was talking about forming its own series. “On my way to Munich,” Oliemuller wrote to Roadracing World in response to an e-mail asking if BMW knew anything about the MIC move. “Regarding the MIC announcement – we have nothing to do with it. I don’t have much additional info on this at this time. When I get back I’ll see if there are any updates. But I doubt I could see the benefit of a second series – Think Cart and IRL…” Roadracing World has confirmed that only Honda, Suzuki and Kawasaki representatives attended the meeting that led to the June 26 announcement that the MIC was considering studying the feasibility of creating its own road racing series. Yamaha chose not to attend, and is making plans to compete in the DMG-promoted series next year.