Successful season for the BMW Z4 GT3 and privateer teams from around the world – More improvements announced for 2013.

Munich, 16th November 2012. Countless wins and plenty of stamina: in the 2012 motorsport season, the BMW Z4 GT3 once again proved to be the perfect car for privateer BMW drivers and teams around the world to successfully challenge for points and victories in championships held in accordance with GT3 regulations and at demanding endurance races. Driven by a 4.4-litre, eight-cylinder engine, the car caused a stir wherever it appeared. To date, BMW Motorsport Distribution has supplied over 30 models, which have been competing on racetracks around the world since. 

“The BMW Z4 GT3 has another impressive season behind it,” said BMW Motorsport Director Jens Marquardt. “Our BMW privateers have been in the mix almost everywhere they have lined up with this car. With a little more luck, we could quite possibly have seen one or two more titles coming our way. Since its debut, we have consistently developed the BMW Z4 GT3 and fine-tuned its performance. This process will continue next season. We are fully committed to this car and have numerous optimisations lined up, which will make the BMW Z4 GT3 even stronger in 2013. Until the end of 2015 at least, this model will spearhead our range of cars for privateer teams and drivers looking to achieve success in GT racing.” 

The title in the Italian GT Championship went to Thomas Biagi (IT) and Stefano Colombo (IT) at the wheel of a ROAL Motorsport BMW Z4 GT3. The most prominent representative of the product range at BMW Motorsport Distribution was also responsible for victories in many other national championships. For example, BMW tasted success in the German ADAC GT Masters and the British GT Championship. The BMW Z4 GT3 was also among the most successful models in the GT300 class of the Japanese Super GT Championship and the Brazilian GT Championship, where BMW Team Brazil goes into the final races of the season with excellent title chances. 

BMW privateers also made their mark on the fiercely competitive international series held in accordance with GT3 regulations: in the FIA GT1 World Championship, the Vita4One racing team claimed four wins and was involved in the title battle until the final race. In the Blancpain Endurance Series, the Marc VDS Racing team narrowly missed out on the title in a dramatic season finale. The BMW Z4 GT3 once again showed that it is a guarantee of success at 24-hour races this season, including the endurance classics at the Nürburgring-Nordschleife (DE) and Spa-Francorchamps (BE). Four BMW Z4 GT3s finished in the top ten in the Eifel Mountains. In qualifying, BMW Team Schubert’s Uwe Alzen (DE) clocked the fastest lap time ever on this version of the “Green Hell” circuit. Gregory Franchi (BE), Frank Kechele (DE) and Mathias Lauda (AT) of Vita4One Racing came home in third at the Spa 24 Hours to claim their place on the podium.

The development of the BMW Z4 GT3 sees the BMW Motorsport experts in Munich (DE) work closely with the privateer teams who run the car on a weekly basis. As such, BMW Motorsport invited the current crop of teams running the BMW Z4 GT3 to take part in the official development test for the 2013 season. The data acquired at this test, together with feedback from engineers in a wide range of series, provided the basis for a development package put together for 2013, which will make the car even more competitive than it already is. As well as making it simpler for less experienced teams to operate, the main focus was on optimising the drive train while at the same time fine-tuning the racing car’s aerodynamics. The BMW Z4 GT3 is the only GT3 car with Dynamic Stability Control (DSC). This aid system has been further developed, as has the anti-lock brake system (ABS). This also guarantees that any driver is instantly able to get to grips with, and is safe at the wheel of the BMW Z4 GT3. 

As well as the permanent on-going development of its cars, another pillar of the philosophy at BMW Motorsport Distribution is the service it offers privateer BMW teams. The BMW Motorsport Service Trailer made its debut in 2012. This allowed teams at the racetrack access to spare parts at numerous events. The close connection with the worldwide BMW dealership network also ensures that spare parts can be quickly and reliably delivered to even the most remote fringes of the motorsport world. BMW Motorsport engineers provided their colleagues in privateer teams with on-site support at many races. BMW Motorsport’s service covered series like the Blancpain Endurance Series, the ADAC GT Masters and the VLN Endurance Championship at the Nürburgring. A 24-hour hotline on race weekends also guarantees that any team can call on BMW Motorsport’s expertise at any time during an event. 

The cost of a race-ready BMW Z4 GT3 for the 2013 season is 349,000 Euros (plus VAT). The 2013 Racing Kit is available for 315,000 Euros (plus VAT). Twenty eleven and 2012 models can be upgraded to the latest vehicle specifications with the help of a modification kit.