Day two in the Alps: BMW Sports & Classic Rally stops off at Königssee.

Königssee. BMW cars steeped in history, picturesque Alpine scenery and a meeting of sport stars from different disciplines: the participants on the BMW Sports & Classic Rally have so far enjoyed an exciting programme en route from Munich (DE) to Spielberg (AT), the venue for the third DTM race of the year. Friday morning saw the eight BMW DTM drivers, media representatives and other BMW sport stars, including BMW Group Sports Ambassador Katarina Witt (DE), BMW Brand Ambassador Prince Leopold of Bavaria (DE) and BMW Running Ambassador Jan Fitschen (DE) stop off at Königssee (DE). They were greeted there by athletes from the German Bobsleigh, Luge, and Skeleton Federation (BSD).

The BMW Sports & Classic Rally had started out from the BMW Museum in Munich on Thursday, with the route initially taking the historic BMW cars – including legends like the BMW 328, the BMW Z8 and the 1987 BMW M3 – on an 82-kilometre stretch to Schliersee (DE). After an hour-long break, the caravan continued to Berchtesgaden (DE). The participants covered a good 130 kilometres on the second leg of their journey and were then able to swap stories of their trip during a pleasant “Hüttenabend” – a typical Bavarian evening in a fine restaurant in the Alps.

“I am absolutely thrilled by this rally,” said Martin Tomczyk (DE). “Ok, it did rain, but that did not dampen the mood among the participants in any way. It was nice having a chat with our colleagues from the bobsleigh, luge and skeleton team again. It gave you a great impression of what guys like Francesco Friedrich and Manuel Machata have to do in the steering seat of their bobsleighs.” Bob, luge and skeleton athletes Felix Loch (DE, luge), Manuel Machata (DE, bob), Francesco Friedrich (DE, bob), Natalie Geisenberger (DE, luge), Anja Huber (DE, skeleton) and national bobsleigh coach Christoph Langen (DE) gave the other rally participants an insight into the secrets of their respective sports.

“You could really tell how the motorsport guys love speed – and it is well-known that we bob drivers have plenty of that to offer,” said world bobsleigh champion Friedrich. “It was fun giving our fellow sportsmen and women an insight into our sport. And I am now really looking forward to our trip to the DTM race in Spielberg.”

The same goes for Fitschen, who is currently Germany’s best marathon runner. “It is absolutely fascinating to gain an insight into so many aspects of BMW’s commitment to sport over the course of this rally,” said the distance runner. “The DTM drivers are all very open, and Augusto Farfus was particularly interested in running. At the same time, I found both the vintage BMW cars and the trip to the bob track at Königssee very interesting. I am now really looking forward to seeing what the weekend has in store.”

Glock was also taken by the rather unique preparations for his third ever DTM weekend. “I was absolutely thrilled by the BMW 3.0 CSL, which I drove first. And the first generation of BMW M3 was also fantastic to drive. I really enjoyed getting to know the bobsleigh, luge and skeleton team. I have great respect for the German squad who, as is well known, have been among the best around for years in the bob, luge and skeleton.”

After the flying visit to Königssee, the BMW DTM drivers travelled directly to Spielberg, while the remaining participants in the BMW Sports & Classic Rally – now bolstered by the bob and luge stars – tackled a further three stages.