BMW teams ready for the off with all BMW Z4 GT3s after Top-40 qualifying on the Nordschleife.

Nürburgring (DE), 18th May 2013. The BMW teams are ready for the 24-hour race at the Nürburgring. In Saturday’s Top-40 qualifying, the five BMW Z4 GT3s finished seventh, eighth, 11th, 15th and 36th. 

BMW test and development driver Maxime Martin (BE) set the fastest time for BMW Sports Trophy Team Marc VDS in the number 25 car. His lap time of 8:21.007 minutes was enough to put him seventh, just 0.029 seconds quicker than Jens Klingmann (DE) in BMW Team Schubert’s number 20 BMW Z4 GT3, who starts Sunday’s race from eighth. Richard Göransson (SE) was 11th fastest in the second BMW Z4 GT3 belonging to BMW Sports Trophy Team Marc VDS, while Uwe Alzen (DE) was 15th in the second BMW Team Schubert car. The fifth BMW Z4 GT3 – of the Walkenhorst Motorsport team – will start the race from 36th. Pole position went to Phoenix Racing in a time of 8:17.212 minutes. 

Jörg Müller (DE) was the bearer of bad news before the Top-40 qualifying began. An injury means the BMW works driver is unable to compete in the 24-hour race. His rib injury, which he suffered in a crash during last weekend’s ADAC GT Masters race at Spa-Francorchamps (BE), proved to be too painful, leaving him no option but to pull out of the race. As a replacement, Claudia Hürtgen (DE) has been named as the fourth driver of the number 19 BMW Z4 GT3. Therefore, she will see action in both BMW Team Schubert cars. 

Maxime Martin (BMW Sports Trophy Team Marc VDS, car number 25, 7th):

“The car felt really good and I was able to set a strong pace. I could possibly have gone even faster on my second lap, but unfortunately I came across a slower car. Despite this, we have the basis for a very good race with the BMW Z4 GT3.” 

Jens Klingmann (BMW Team Schubert, car number 20, 8th):

“It is unbelievable to have the opportunity to complete a traffic-free lap on the Nordschleife. You don’t have that experience during the race. My first lap was very good and I really pushed myself. Based on last year’s experience, the second lap should actually have been better. Unfortunately, however, I was held up by a slower car.” 

Richard Göransson (BMW Sports Trophy Marc VDS, car number 26, 11th):

“I did my very best. It is a shame I had to overtake another car on both laps. That cost me a fair bit of time. Despite this, I am happy with my performance. I did not take any unnecessary risks and am looking forward to a promising race.” 

Uwe Alzen (BMW Team Schubert, car number 19, 15th):

“The car was ok, but I was struggling with oversteer. Fifteenth is not what I was aiming for, but 24 hours is a long time. I am now even more motivated to go flat out in the race.”    

Jörg Müller (BMW Team Schubert):

“The 24-hour race is the absolute highlight of the year for me. I would have absolutely loved to line up here, and am very disappointed. Unfortunately I had to face the fact today that the rib injury I sustained last weekend is too restrictive, given the specific demands of the Nordschleife. I gritted my teeth and tried everything – but I ultimately had no choice. I will obviously stay and support the team.”