BMW Announces 50th Anniversary Celebration at Daytona International Speedway: A Return to the “World Center of Racing”

BMW of North America, in partnership with MotoAmerica and the BMW Motorcycle Owners of America (MOA), is proud to announce a historic 50th Anniversary Celebration at Daytona International Speedway on March 6-7, 2026. The event honors the golden anniversary of the inaugural AMA Superbike race in 1976—a race that transformed the landscape of American motorcycling and re-established BMW as a premier maker of high-performance sporting machines and ignited a passion for the brand among a whole new generation of riders.

Honoring the Legacy of 1976

In March 1976, the “Bavarian Murder Weapons” (as dubbed by renowned race tuner Todd Schuster) fired a shot heard ’round the world. The Butler & Smith BMW R90S team secured a stunning 1-2 finish at the first-ever AMA Superbike race at Daytona, with Steve McLaughlin nipping teammate Reg Pridmore by a mere three inches in a legendary photo finish.

The victory proved that BMW was more than a manufacturer of long-distance touring machines; it proved they could build “canyon carvers” capable of defeating the world’s fastest superbikes. BMW went on to sweep the top three spots in the 1976 season standings, with Pridmore capturing the first-ever AMA Superbike Championship.

The Legend Returns

For the first time in decades, the three original Butler & Smith BMW R90S Superbikes will be reunited at Daytona. These machines, prepared by legendary tuner Udo Gietl, featured then-revolutionary tech including Michelin slicks, Koni monoshock suspension and many more innovations.

The celebration bridges 50 years of racing excellence by also featuring the Tytlers Cycle Racing BMW M 1000 RR, the defending MotoAmerica Superbike championship machine ridden by Cameron Beaubier in 2025. This display highlights BMW’s journey from the 92-horsepower R90S to the modern carbon-fiber-clad 200+ horsepower M 1000 RR, which also carried Toprak Razgatlıoğlu to consecutive Superbike World Championships.

Weekend Highlights & Fan Experiences

Fans and enthusiasts are invited to participate in a series of exclusive events:

• The Original Prototypes: Udo and Eric Gietl will showcase the original R90S racing prototype, joined by a second rare prototype from a private collector.

• Parade Laps: Registrants will have the rare opportunity to ride a parade lap around the high banks of the fabled 3.56-mile Daytona road course.

• Commemorative Gear: Todd Trumbore has produced limited-edition 50th Anniversary pins, designed to the exact dimensions of the iconic R90S seat cowl emblems.

• Celebrity Dinner: On Saturday, March 7 at 6:00 PM, the Daytona 500 Club will host an evening with the legends. Guests include Reg Pridmore, Steve McLaughlin, John Long, Harry Klinzmann, Ron Pierce, Tom Cutter, Udo Gietl, and Heidi Fisher (representing the late Gary Fisher).

Registration and Accommodations
Registration for this landmark event is now open through the BMW MOA at:

https://bmwmoaf.regfox.com/50th-anniversary-daytona-event

On-site camping and hotel blocks are available. A special rate of $279/night has been secured at the Marriott Courtyard adjacent to the Speedway. For booking details, please contact Rob McIsaac at [email protected].

Join us in Daytona to celebrate 50 years of speed, innovation, and the spirit of the Boxer.