BMW Motorsport News – Issue 06/13.

Whether in the DTM, the American Le Mans Series, or countless other championships: week after week BMW teams and drivers around the world do battle for points, victories and titles. Away from the track too, members of the large BMW Motorsport family around the world are also creating headlines. The “BMW Motorsport News” now allows us to regularly summarise all the action for you in a compact and informative manner. This way, you are always up to speed. 

BMW Motorsport completes DTM test in Jerez.

Preparations for the 2013 DTM season are still in full swing. BMW Motorsport was in Jerez (ES) from Tuesday to Thursday, where it continued to prepare the BMW M3 DTM for the season-opener in Hockenheim (DE) on 5th May. Bruno Spengler (CA), Joey Hand (US), Dirk Werner (DE), Marco Wittmann (DE) and Timo Glock (DE) were all in action over the course of the three-day test. Glock appeared for the first time in the colours of Premium Partner Deutsche Post. The former Formula One driver will line up in the DEUTSCHE POST BMW M3 DTM in 2013. After light rain on Tuesday morning, the test was held in good conditions and saw both the BMW Z4 GT3 and the BMW Z4 GTE take to the track. 

Preparations in full swing for ALMS season-opener at Sebring.

The first race of the 2013 American Le Mans Series (ALMS), at Sebring (US) on 16th March, is now just four weeks away. Before the newly developed BMW Z4 GTE travelled to Jerez (ES) for further tests, it made a spectacular appearance at the “Daytona International Speedway” (US). As well as presenting the new car and the drivers for the coming ALMS season, BMW Motorsport and BMW Team RLL put on a great show for guests invited from all over the world, which included plenty of action out on the racetrack. New photos from Daytona can be downloaded at www.press.bmwgroup-sport.com.  The event also provided the first impressive video of the BMW Z4 GTE in action. To watch the video, simply click on the following link: http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?v=515136951858804&set=vb.115849585120878&type=2&theater  

Coronel and ROAL line up together again in the 2013 FIA WTCC.

Tom Coronel (NL) and Roberto Ravaglia’s (IT) team will once again take on the opposition in the FIA World Touring Car Championship with the BMW 320 TC. This will be the third season together for “Major Tom” and ROAL Motorsport. The team’s second BMW 320 TC will be driven by newcomer Darryl O’Young (HK). The season begins with two races in Monza (IT) on 24th March. 

Check out the preview video here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RvJD9QgSjwo 

Three questions for… Tom Coronel. 

Tom, the era of the Chevrolet works team in the FIA WTCC is over. What does that mean to you and the ROAL Motorsport team? 

Tom Coronel: “For the last two years there have been two championships. The Chevrolets contested one between themselves, while everyone else battled it out for the title of ‘Best of the Rest’. As far as I was concerned, it was all about being the best BMW driver. That has changed now. It will definitely be an exciting season, in which anything could happen.” 

What makes you confident you can compete with the front-runners in the BMW 320 TC? 

Coronel: “Roberto Ravaglia, the team and I have come to know each other very well. As such, there will be no disruptions within the team. Furthermore, the BMW 320 TC has shown on more than one occasion that it is capable of competing at the very front of the field. All this means I am in my best position for years going into the season. My goal is to win races and finish in the top three – at least – in the Drivers’ Championship. I am obviously well aware the Chevrolets will still be very quick, even without the works support. We’ll also have to wait and see what the new Honda team is capable of in its first complete season.” 

Does the new level playing field also give you more motivation? 

Coronel: “Definitely. In 2013 I will concentrate even more intensely on the FIA WTCC, and will prepare even more meticulously for the races. Roberto will do the same thing, as we both have realised what we can achieve next season.” 

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Martin Tomczyk becomes a father for the first time.

At 08:01 on 15th February, BMW DTM driver Martin Tomczyk’s (DE) wife Christina Tomczyk (CH) gave birth to a healthy little girl in Switzerland. Emily Grace is the newly married couple’s first child. “We are so proud and overjoyed with this amazing moment. This is a dream come true for us,” said Tomczyk.