Taking on the challenge with the BMW M1000RR! Auto Race Ube Racing Team to compete in the Bol d’Or 24 Hours for the first time

BMW accelerates global ambitions with the launch of the M1000RR

In 2025, the Auto Race Ube Racing Team will enter the BMW M1000RR (WSBK spec) machine from Germany’s BMW, and compete in the FIM Endurance World Championship EWC class and the MFJ All Japan Road Race Championship JSB1000 class. This season is positioned as “a stepping stone to a full-scale global challenge,” and although the team will only be competing in one race in both championships, they will aim to win every race they enter.

First time competing in the legendary Bol d’Or 24 Hours race

The team’s biggest challenge this season will be competing in the Bol d’Or, the final round of the FIM Endurance World Championship. This will be their first time competing in this traditional competition, which is regarded as the most prestigious racing event in France, the mecca of motorcycle endurance racing.

This race, held at the Paul Ricard Circuit in France, is a historic endurance race that began in 1922 and is the world’s most prestigious competition, challenging the limits of both machines and riders under the harsh conditions of a 24-hour race. Although this is their first time participating, the Auto Race Ube Racing Team is aiming for a good result in this challenging race.

With Uramoto Naomichi as the ace, a team of world-class riders will be appointed.

Naomichi Uramoto will be the ace rider for both the FIM Endurance World Championship EWC class and the MFJ All Japan Road Race Championship JSB1000 class. Uramoto’s techniques and experience, which have been proven both domestically and internationally, will play an important role in the team’s strategy.

Regarding the Suzuka 8 Hours and Bol d’Or 24 Hours of the FIM Endurance World Championship, the plan is to negotiate with world-class riders worthy of aiming for the overall victory and build a strong team.

Surprise events are also being planned to entertain fans.

We are also planning some surprises this season that will delight our fans. We will of course aim to achieve good race results, but we will also strive to provide a variety of topics of conversation through our racing activities, not just for our existing fans.

We will be keeping a close eye on the performance of the Auto Race Ube Racing Team, which combines the outstanding performance of the BMW M1000RR with the team’s challenging spirit.

2025 race events

FIM Endurance World Championship EWC class

August 1st to 3rd: Round 3 Suzuka 8 Hours Endurance Road Race (Suzuka Circuit)

September 19th to 21st: Round 4 Bol d’Or 24 Hours Race (Paul Ricard Circuit/France)

MFJ All Japan Road Race Championship JSB1000 class

April 19th-20th: Mobility Resort Motegi

May 24th-25th: Sportsland SUGO

August 23rd-24th: Mobility Resort Motegi

October 25th-26th: Suzuka Circuit

*The team will be absent from Round 5 at Autopolis and Round 6 at Okayama International Circuit in order to prioritize their participation in the Bol d’Or 24 Hours race.

2025 Team Structure

Machine: BMW M1000RR (WSBK spec)

Tires: Bridgestone

Team Owner: James Saito,

Team Director: Takayuki Nakai,

Chief Engineer: Tsunetaka Igami,

Main Mechanic: Ramiro Abraham

, Mechanics: Adri Caello, Daisuke Shinohara, Yusuke Yoshimura,

Team Manager: Manji Shiramatsu

FIM Endurance World Championship EWC class

Rider: Uramoto Naomichi / TBN / TBN

*The rider lineup for the Suzuka 8 Hours Endurance Road Race and the Bol d’Or 24 Hours will be announced as soon as the contracts are officially finalized.

MFJ All Japan Road Race Championship JSB1000 class

MFJ All Japan Road Race Championship JSB1000 Class

#31 “Auto Race Ube Racing Team”

Rider: Naomichi Uramoto

Rider’s comment: Naomichi Uramoto

I’m very excited to be racing on the BMW M1000RR, the Superbike World Championship winner.

Until last year, I raced in the Spanish ESBK Championship. This will be my first time competing in the All Japan Road Race Championship in eight years, but I feel the JSB1000 class has really improved, so I’m really looking forward to racing against my rivals.

The team will also be competing in the Suzuka 8 Hours Endurance Road Race in the Endurance World Championship, as well as the Bol d’Or 24 Hours. My teammates have not yet been decided, but I’m sure the team will have a strong lineup of riders, so I’d like to aim for victory alongside these world-class riders. I raced in the Bol d’Or 24 Hours in 2019, and I hope to share that experience with the team.

It’s also reassuring to have staff members I’ve worked with before on this team. Chief engineer Ikami and I won the All Japan J-GP2 class championship in 2016, and mechanic Ramiro worked on my bike during my time in the Spanish Championship. We communicate well.

Riding a powerful machine like the BMW M1000RR, it goes without saying that I will achieve good results as a rider, but I also hope to actively participate in events held by teams, manufacturers and suppliers, and contribute to raising the profile of motorsports.

There is still some time until the opening race, but I will train hard and prepare so that I can compete for victory from the very first race. I hope you will all come out to the circuit to give me your enthusiastic support.”

Comments from BMW Motorrad officials

General Manager of alpha Racing

General Manager of alpha Racing

: “We are pleased to announce our mutual partnership with the Ube Racing Team, a Japanese auto race team. We are confident that the team will have a strong lineup of riders, and we will be shipping great bikes directly from Germany. At the same time, as part of the BMW family, we will be providing them with the best parts and products.

We wish the team all the best and are fully prepared to challenge for podiums and titles.”

Manager, Customer Racing, BMW Motorrad Motorsport

“We are delighted that the Auto Race Ube Racing Team is joining the BMW Motorsport racing family. It is an honour for us to have them compete in the All Japan Road Race Championship JSB1000 and the World Endurance Championship. On behalf of the BMW Motorrad racing family, I would like to extend a warm welcome to the team and wish them good luck, great performances and results this season.”

Collaborating with over 50 partner companies and supplier companies

In the 2025 season, we will compete in races both in Japan and overseas with the support of over 50 partner and supplier companies.

Many of our partner companies were first exposed to motorsports through our team, and have shared the excitement of racing with us through events such as the Suzuka 8 Hours. We will work together with all of our partner and supplier companies to become world champions.

Digital Fan Club “Auto Race Ube Racing Team Support DAO”

This year, we are once again preparing to launch the “Auto Race Ube Racing Team Support DAO” digital fan club, which utilizes non-fungible tokens (NFTs).

We will offer various benefits, such as merchandise and the right to participate in special fan events, to create a membership system that will allow fans to feel closer to the team.

Sponsorship of BMW one-make race

As a result of becoming a member of the BMW family this year, we will be sponsoring a one-make race using the BMW G310R in which BMW Motorrad users will participate.

The event will be the

NEO STANDARD G310R class at the 2025 FUN&RUN! 2-Wheels July event

to be held at Suzuka Circuit, under the title “G310 Trophy Supported by Auto Race Ube Racing Team.”