CLASSIC BOXER, ECS CLASSIC 1000

Second in the Classic 1000 class of the 2016 European Classic Endurance series, this German team runs a 1978 BMW R100S once used for touring around Europe. Owner Ralf Lewien converted the shaft-drive flat-twin into a racer that has Dell’orto pump-jet carburettors, cylinder barrels modified for shorter pushrods and a racing single-plate clutch. Its Silent Hektik ignition replaces the original alternator with a combined generator and ignition pick-up. A broken valve meant frantic work before the race, as the team had no backup machine. Ralf and his co-riders Tobias Kage and Andreas Kollman droned around the circuit reliably to finish second in their class and ninth overall. Their best lap was at 85.69mph.