Barry Burrell has made history by becoming the first rider to win the ROKiT OFF BMW F 900 R Cup championship twice, securing his second consecutive title following a dramatic season finale at Brands Hatch.
Barry Burrell has successfully defended his ROKiT OFF BMW F 900 R Cup championship title following a closely fought final round at Brands Hatch, becoming the first rider in the history of the one-make series to claim the crown on more than one occasion. Riding his Halliwell Jones-backed BMW F 900 R, Burrell secured the championship with a third-place finish in the season-ending race, bringing an impressive 2026 campaign to a successful conclusion. Despite missing the opening race of the season, Burrell recovered to claim four main race victories and arrived at Brands Hatch with a 22-point advantage in the standings. His consistency throughout the year ultimately proved decisive, with the defending champion finishing on 291 points, ahead of Kieran Smith on 272 and Bobby Varey on 270.
The final race provided plenty of excitement, with Varey leading for much of the contest before taking victory and securing third place in the overall championship standings. Smith finished ahead of Burrell to claim the runner-up position in the championship, while former series champion Thomas Strudwick, who won the title in 2024, finished fourth. Adding further interest to the season finale was the appearance of three-time Isle of Man TT winner Davey Todd, who joined the grid as a wildcard entry and crossed the line in fifth place. Todd’s participation highlighted the growing appeal of the championship, which continues to attract a mixture of experienced racers and newcomers looking to establish themselves in competitive motorcycle racing.
The ROKiT OFF BMW F 900 R Cup has established itself as an accessible and relatively affordable route into competitive road racing, with all participants competing on identical 105hp BMW F 900 R roadsters. Strict technical regulations limit modifications and help maintain a level playing field, placing greater emphasis on rider ability rather than machinery or team budgets. The championship also benefits from running alongside the British Superbike Championship, providing competitors with the opportunity to race at some of Britain’s best-known circuits while gaining valuable experience in a professional racing environment.
Speaking after securing his second title, Burrell praised the championship’s affordability, accessibility and competitive nature, explaining that the relatively straightforward requirements make it possible for riders to compete without the substantial financial and logistical commitments associated with other racing categories. “The ROKiT OFF F 900 R Cup is a cost-effective championship and a great way to get your face out there. If people come in and do well they really stand out, because you’re often racing against some big names like Davey,” he said. Burrell also highlighted the appearance of British Superbike riders Kyle Ryde and Storm Stacey as wildcards during the previous season, demonstrating the calibre of riders attracted to the series.
One of the championship’s major attractions is the level of technical support available to competitors throughout the season. BMW provides a dedicated parts truck at every round, reducing the need for riders and teams to transport extensive stocks of replacement components. Burrell explained that this arrangement, combined with the relatively simple setup requirements of the F 900 R, makes the championship particularly manageable for riders operating with limited assistance. He also praised the strict enforcement of the technical regulations, which helps ensure that competition remains fair and that success is determined primarily by the rider’s performance on track.
Wildcard entrant Davey Todd was equally enthusiastic following his appearance at Brands Hatch, praising both the handling characteristics of the F 900 R and the welcoming atmosphere within the championship paddock. “The bikes are a lot of fun to ride and they handle really well, especially for something with such a comfortable riding position,” said Todd. “The power of the bikes and strict rules around modifications makes for some really close racing on track and the F 900 R Cup community in the paddock was really helpful offering advice.” Todd added that the championship offered an ideal combination of affordability and competitive racing, suggesting that his Brands Hatch appearance would not be his last outing on the BMW roadster.
With the 2026 season now concluded, attention has already turned towards the 2027 championship, with entries scheduled to open on 1 November. BMW Motorrad UK is offering an additional £500 discount to riders committing to the full season who purchase their race motorcycle before 31 December 2026, reducing the cost of the F 900 R to £6,495 including VAT. Competitors must hold a minimum ACU Clubman-grade racing licence to participate, making the series an attractive proposition for newcomers as well as experienced riders seeking a competitive and tightly controlled championship.
Scott Grimsdall, Head of Marketing and PR at BMW Motorrad UK, congratulated Burrell on his achievement and praised the continued success of the series. “The ROKiT OFF BMW F 900 R Cup is ideal as a first step into racing or a competitive challenge for more seasoned riders. The standard of riding is always exceptional and sharing a schedule with the British Superbike Championship means every round has a great sense of occasion,” he said. Grimsdall also thanked the competitors for another season of close racing and recognised Burrell’s achievement in becoming the championship’s first back-to-back title winner.
Further information on the 2027 ROKiT OFF BMW F 900 R Cup, including championship regulations, motorcycle specifications and entry details, is available at www.bmw-motorrad.co.uk.
