Copyright 2021, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

By Michael Gougis

BMW Motorrad factory rider and former Superbike World Champion Tom Sykes is scheduled to make a guest appearance at the 9th Annual DoubleRFest at Virginia International Raceway (VIR).

“We’ve put together a program that moves the needle for BMW, and they’re sending Tom as a kind of a thank-you,” says Nate Kern, professional racer and founder of the premier track day events that celebrate BMW’s groundbreaking S1000RR supersport machine.

“The DoubleRFest is really something unique, and BMW recognizes what we’re doing here, especially in a market this important to them. It’s also BMW’s way of expressing its appreciation to its customers in this market.”

Kern is a brand ambassador for BMW and has raced for and represented the German firm for years. The DoubleRFest started as a track day focused on the S1000RR and its riders, but has expanded to allow the company to showcase many of its products to attendees.

Sykes is not attending as an instructor, Kern says. The 2013 Superbike World Champion and all-time World Superbike pole position record holder is there to ride when he chooses, to ride demonstration laps during the lunch break and appear at dinner on the Saturday evening of the event.

The DoubleRFest also features riding coaches and hot laps in BMW four-wheelers, lunch on both days, and technical assistance on setting up and adapting the bike’s running gear and electronics to the rider.

The event is slated for July 10-11, 2021. For more information, visit www.kerntrackdays.com.