FHO RACING SET TO SPEARHEAD BMW’S 2022 ROAD RACING CAMPAIGN WITH HICKMAN AND MCCORMACK
FHO Racing will make their much-anticipated debut at the International road races in 2022, lining up as the official BMW Motorrad road racing team with Peter Hickman and Brian McCormack on board the Bavarian-built machines.
Both multiple road race winner Hickman and McCormack will ride BMW M 1000 RR machinery for Faye Ho’s team in the Superbike and Superstock categories at the Isle of Man TT and North West 200 as well as the Ulster Grand Prix, should it make its return to the road racing calendar.
Both riders will also contest the Macau Grand Prix, which is set to return in November next year, with all four events having failed to run since 2019 as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Hickman will be aiming to carry on from where he left off in 2019, a year that saw him take Superbike and Superstock success at the world-famous Isle of Man TT. He remains the outright lap record holder around the Mountain Course, his lap of 135.452mph set on the BMW S 1000 RR in 2018.
2019 also saw him win Superbike and Superstock races at the Ulster Grand Prix, where he set a new outright lap record of 136.415mph. The lap saw him and BMW enter the Guinness Book of Records with their lap being a new world record for a circuit still in use.
The Louth-based rider was also victorious in the Superstock class at the North West 200 whilst second place was taken at the Macau Grand Prix, a circuit where he’s already won on three occasions whilst riding BMW machinery.
McCormack, meanwhile, continues with the team after having a solid BSB season in 2021, a campaign which saw him get valuable track time ahead of the return of the International road races next year.
Hailing from Waterford, McCormack is the fastest rider from Southern Ireland ever at the Isle of Man TT with his lap of 128.812mph in the 2019 Senior TT helping him achieve his best finish on the island of ninth. He’ll be aiming to improve upon that next year and also break the 130mph barrier for the first time.
In addition, McCormack has a best finish of fifth at the Ulster Grand Prix, recorded in 2018, on his impressive CV as well as a host of other top ten finishes around the high-speed Dundrod circuit. Joining FHO Racing for 2022, when he’ll continue to receive support from the Roadhouse Bar in Macau, gives him a perfect opportunity to make a real impression on the International road race results, something which he aims to grab firmly with both hands.
Faye Ho, Team Owner: “It’s a real honour for FHO Racing to be chosen by BMW Motorrad as their official team at the 2022 International road races especially as we’ve only been in existence for a year! It shows the progress and impression we’ve made, both on and off the track, and returning to the roads in 2022 with Peter and Brian is very exciting for everyone connected with the team.”
“Peter’s record speaks for itself whilst Brian’s results have continually improved and we’re quietly confident both riders will excel next season. On a personal note, the road races are very important to me and having attended the likes of the TT and, obviously, Macau on a regular basis, I’m thrilled to be attending them in 2022 with the team and in an official capacity.”
Hickman said: “After three years away, I’m delighted to be heading back to the International road races next year and equally delighted to be doing so with FHO Racing. Having re-signed with the team in the British Championship, after a successful season this year, it’s great to be contesting the likes of the TT and NW200 with them too and I can’t wait.
“I had some great times at the road races with the S 1000RR and with the way it performed on the short circuits this year, I’m excited to see what we can do with the M 1000RR on the roads; I’m confident we’ll turn a few heads!”
McCormack said: “To say I’m over the moon to be riding the FHO Racing by Roadhouse Macau BMW for Faye and the team alongside Hicky at the International roads and selected National Superstock rounds would be an understatement! The team are amazing and although this year was challenging for me with injuries and learning everything that goes with riding a Superbike, everyone made me feel at home and looked after me really well.
“Riding for the team in 2022 will give me the best tools and team I need to move up the results at the Isle of Man TT, North West 200, Macau GP and, hopefully, the Ulster GP too. I can’t thank Faye, Darren, Hicky and rest of the team enough for this chance. I am also delighted to continue with the backing from Roadhouse Macau for next season.”
Scott Grimsdall, BMW Motorrad UK, Head of Marketing and PR said: “We’re absolutely delighted to be returning to the international road racing programme following the challenges of the last few years, and it’s great to be doing so with FHO Racing. The Isle of Man TT and North West 200 have been an integral part of BMW’s racing calendar especially in the last decade and we firmly believe we can add to the considerable success we’ve already achieved next year.
“In a short space of time, the FHO Racing team have more than proved themselves and with Peter Hickman spearheading BMW’s road racing challenge in 2022, it’s a really exciting prospect for us. We can’t wait for the racing to start!”
For more information please visit www.fhoracing.com