Kern and BMW on top form at Virginia.

Although the BMW Motorrad Motorsport factory team is not officially back on track until the second weekend in August for the Oschersleben 8 Hour race, there are plenty of BMW riders making headlines of their own on various racetracks worldwide.

As well as Team Busquet's excellent results on the HP2 Sport in the recent 24 Hores Frigo de Motociclisme at Barcelona, Team BMW XPLOR racer Nate Kern has continued his tremendous run of form over in the USA.

Team BMW XPLOR racer Nate Kern tops the podium at the Virginia International Raceway

Along with his British teammate Richard Cooper, the pair had a tremendous showing at the Virginia International Raceway, in the recent ASRA Pro Thunderbike and CCS Thunderbike races. Not only did Nate Kern score four comprehensive victories on his BMW R 1200 S and HP2 Sport race bikes, the talented racer also set the all time ASRA track record. His teammate, Richard Cooper not only grabbed two podium finishes but also set the qualifying track record time at the VIR.

On the R 1200 S for the ASRA Pro Thunderbike national race, Kern scored the victory, while Cooper finished in the 3rd position. Then on the same machine, Kern was the victor in the CCS Thunderbike regional race, while Cooper came home in the runner-up spot. It was during the ASRA Pro Thunderbike race that Kern set the ASRA track record of 1:31.9 seconds.

"For me the biggest thing that stands out is that how the BMW R 1200 S never lets me down," said Nate Kern after his victories. "It seems to get faster every time I race it and is just so versatile. Richard Cooper and I have such a great relationship – the highest level of teamwork and sportsmanship that I’ve experienced. This was Cooper's first time at the VIR and so I tried really hard to get him up the speed as soon as possible, because I wanted to see two BMWs up on the podium. Cooper and I were blown away by the level of support from so many BMW fans at the VIR that traveled from all over to see the racing."

Kern then changed his bike to the HP2 Sport for the CCS Supertwins race and finished in first place again – eight seconds in front of his nearest rival. Kern also won the CCS 750 Superbike class – up against some of the best 600 and 750cc racing motorcycles – passing the chequered flag four seconds ahead of the next racer. Commenting on a weekend of such success, Kern credited the BMW community's support for his and Cooper's great showing at the VIR.

"The BMW riding community is strong in the US and Richard Cooper was surprised by the level of support that we get at these races," he said. "He said he now realizes why I keep going faster every time!"

After securing yet another win in the ASRA Pro Series at the Road America Festival of Speed in Wisconsin on the first weekend in July, Kern is well on his way to securing this year's ASRA championship, with a 30 points lead over his nearest rival. For more information on one of BMW Motorrad's best ambassadors, please visit www.natekern.com

Kern follows his British teammate Richard Cooper

Despite (only) finishing in second place, Nate still dominated the eight-race 2008 ASRA Pro Thunderbike championship, finishing up with 254 points to win the title. Dave Estok was second with 197 points, with Dan Bilansky third on 136 points.