Georg Meier’s 1939 Type 255 on display at IoM Classic TT

Three heritage motorcycles from the BMW Classic collection will be taking part in the legendary Lap of Honour at the Isle of Man Classic TT, which runs from 20-29 August 2014.

The supercharged BMW 255 ridden to victory by Georg Meier 75 years ago will be ridden by his nephew Wolfgang Meier. It will be joined by a 1937 BMW R 5 SS and a BMW R 51 from 1939.

BMW Group Classic is also presenting other models from the pre- and post-war era in its exhibition area in the main Classic TT Paddock, including a BMW R 63 from 1929 (BMW’s first 750cc bike), a BMW R 5 from 1936, a BMW R 67 from 1951 and a BMW RS 54 from 1954, which was designed as a racing machine for privateer riders and could hit 200 km/h (124 mph).

But BMW Motorrad’s presence at the Classic TT also extends to more recent history. At the start of June 2014, Northern Ireland’s Michael Dunlop rode a BMW S 1000 RR to Senior TT victory on the Isle of Man – 75 years on from Georg Meier’s triumph. The same model had already swept Dunlop to success in the Superbike and Superstock races on the island to set up a historic triple, and will likewise be on display at the Classic TT.

BMW Motorrad will also be displaying the retro-inspired BMW R nineT roadster. The R nineT blends pared-down design with a boxer engine, a construction that has proved its mettle over more than 90 years, again forging a seamless link between past and present.

Senior TT winners.

75 years ago “Schorsch” Meier became the first rider from outside Great Britain to win the Senior Tourist Trophy – on a supercharged BMW “Kompressor” machine.

Jock West added to BMW’s 1939 success with his second place, also on a Type 255 BMW RS 500. This machine used a mechanical supercharger to develop 60 bhp at 7,000 rpm from its 492cc displacement. In order to properly handle these high revs, the engines featured side shafts leading into the two cylinder heads, and two overhead camshafts in each cylinder head controlled the gas cycle. Benefiting from low weight, the supercharged BMW hit speeds of over 220 km/h (137 mph).

Meier, who started out as an off-road rider and had only completed his first season in road competition the previous year, recorded a sensational average speed of 143.723 km/h (89.305 mph) on his way to the win.

In June 2014, BMW Motorrad and Michael Dunlop returned to the Isle of Man on the BMW S 1000 RR, taking unprecedented wins in the Superbike TT, Superstock TT and Senior TT.

For more information on the Classic TT visit: www.iomtt.com/Classic-TT.aspx