BMW Motorsport News – Issue 40/13.

Media Track Days feature exciting programme.

From Tuesday to Thursday, BMW Motorsport gave just short of 60 media representatives from around the world the opportunity to get to know the entire range of its models and to drive BMW racing cars in Monteblanco (ES). Among the cars the participants were able to test drive were the BMW M Performance Parts M3 DTM, the BMW Z4 GT3 and the Formula BMW FB02 racing car. The BMW M3 GT2 and the BMW M3 GT4 were in action as Race Taxis. The prominent instructors in Spain included seven BMW drivers: Bruno Spengler (CA), Martin Tomczyk (DE), Timo Glock (DE), Maxime Martin (BE), Dirk Müller (DE), Jörg Müller (DE) and Dirk Adorf (DE). “We wanted to use the Media Track Days to offer journalists the unique opportunity to try our racing cars for themselves and to experience the fascination of motorsport the hard way,” said BMW Motorsport Director Jens Marquardt. “The feedback from the event has been more than positive, and our drivers also clearly enjoyed being on the other side of the fence, offering the participants some advice and giving them an insight into their work.”

A very special Formula BMW race.

As part of the BMW Motorsport Media Track Days in Monteblanco, the international media representatives were able to experience the thrill of driving the Formula BMW FB02 – the car used in the Formula BMW Talent Cup. After completing the official programme on Thursday, the six BMW drivers present came up with the idea of staging a spontaneous race on the 1.896-kilometre variant of the “Circuito Monteblanco”. Bruno Spengler, Martin Tomczyk, Timo Glock, Maxime Martin, Dirk Müller and Jörg Müller completed a quick qualifying session to determine the grid positions, before lining up for a thrilling race. Martin eventually crossed the line first, just ahead of Glock. “That was huge fun,” said Martin after the entertaining contest. “Timo was breathing down my neck, but I was able to hold him off. It is excellent how good the FB02 is to drive.” Glock, who took his first steps in motorsport in Formula BMW, also enjoyed his return to the 140-hp single-seater. “That was a spontaneous idea – and great fun. It is a long time since I drove a Formula BMW racing car. A great way to end a fantastic event.”

Essen Motor Show: Wittmann takes on the fans.

Marco Wittmann (DE) took part in a very special race on the opening weekend of the Essen Motor Show. The BMW driver visited the DTM stand, where he went head to head with the fans. Together with fellow DTM drivers Mattias Ekström (SE) and Daniel Juncadella (ES), Wittmann lined up for a race in the new “DTM Experience” PC game against the best online qualifiers. The young German was also on hand to sign countless autographs for the motorsport-mad visitors to the Essen Motor Show between Friday and Sunday, and was a guest at the “Race Night” traditionally hosted by “Auto Bild Motorsport” magazine. “I always enjoy coming back to Essen,” said Wittmann. “Not only was I here regularly as a junior in the Deutsche Post Speed Academy, but I have also made a number of private visits. The atmosphere is always very special for anyone involved in motorsport.” BMW Motorsport Director Jens Marquardt was also a guest at the official opening of the Essen Motor Show on Friday.

Already in a class of its own: the BMW M235i Racing.

BMW Motorsport’s announcement that it will be offering private teams and drivers a new entry-level model for the coming season – the BMW M235i Racing – has received an extremely positive response. BMW Motorsport Distribution has already received numerous orders for the car, the price of which starts at 59,500 Euros (plus VAT). The formation of an attractive playground for the production-based BMW M235i Racing is also taking shape: BMW Motorsport is working together with the VLN Endurance Championship, the ADAC and the DMSB (German Motor Sport Federation) to establish a one-make class for the new racing car at the Nürburgring-Nordschleife (DE). The 24-hour race in the “Green Hell” will also form part of the new competition for the BMW M235i Racing. Any teams and drivers interested can request more information on the latest member of the BMW Motorsport range from the following E-mail address: M235i-Racing@bmw-motorsport.com.

DTM test in Jerez.

For some members of the team, the road from Monteblanco led straight to Jerez de la Frontera (ES), about 150 kilometres away. It is here that BMW Motorsport completes an extensive programme of tests from Sunday to Thursday and gives some talented youngsters a taste of the DTM. The current crop of BMW works drivers is joined by two men making their first appearance in the BMW M3 DTM: Jens Klingmann (DE), who has driven for BMW Motorsport for a while now, and Antonio Felix da Costa (PT).