Want to race a GS for BMW?

BMW is celebrating 30 years of the company's GS range by hosting the BMW Motorrad GS Trophy UK Qualifier.

It's a unique sporting challenge which will culminate with three amateur British riders being selected to represent the UK at the International GS Trophy Finals in November 2010.

The GS Trophy UK, taking place on 31 July / 01 August 2010 at BMW Off Road Skills base in South Wales, is Britain’s only national qualifying round for this major international motorcycle competition.

Open to all owners of BMW GS motorcycles, the two-day UK qualifier will put participants through a series of on and off-road challenges, combining team work and mental and physical tests. Riders will also be judged on their ability to negotiate hazards and obstacles over varying cross-country terrain. The event will be overseen by bearded BMW Dakar ace Simon Pavey.

The courses and tests, designed by seven-times Dakar competitor Pavey and his team of expert instructors, will take place around the stunning Walters Arena. The emphasis will be on skill, rather than speed, with activities devised for riders of all abilities in a challenging, yet safe and friendly environment.

However, the ultimate aim is to select a three man team to compete for the coveted International GS Trophy against other amateur riders from nations such as Italy, Germany, Spain, Japan and the USA.

The three winners will be flown at BMW expense to an exotic location (provisionally South Africa, but to be confirmed) for 11-21 November , issued with full riding kit and compete in the GS Trophy Finals on BMW’s F 800 GS machines.

With entries accepted on a first-come-first-served basis*, the UK qualifier will be limited to a maximum of 200 participants, who will be required to ride their own GS motorcycles around a cross-country course. The course will include several observed sections, which competitors will be required to complete ‘feet up’ (on the pegs) in order to avoid being docked penalty points. All participants will ride the same number of laps, with the riders accumulating the lowest number of penalty points topping the leader board.

For more info go to worldofbmw.com