BMW Motorsport News – Issue 20/2017.

24h Nürburgring: BMW celebrates five class wins.

The #98 BMW M6 GT3 from ROWE Racing was the best-placed BMW in the overall standings, finishing in second, and many private BMW teams and drivers had reason to celebrate in other classes at the 24-hour race at the Nürburgring (GER). A total of 13 BMW M235i Racings were competing in the Cup 5 category. After 138 laps, the #249 car crossed the line first, driven by Yannick Mettler (SUI), Patrick Hinte (GER), Marc Ehret (GER) and the reigning BMW Sports Trophy winner Michael Schrey (GER). BMW cars were also to be found high up in the standings for the other SP 5, SP 6, SP 8T and V4 classes after a turbulent 24 hours.

FIA WEC: Newly-developed BMW M8 GTE to compete as of 2018.

The BMW Group used this year’s Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este to unveil the BMW Concept 8 Series, the essence of a modern-day BMW coupe wrapped up in an enthralling design study. The study car serves as a taster of the BMW 8 Series Coupe. Alongside the ongoing development of the standard 8 Series, the engineers at BMW M are also working on the M model. A fully camouflaged early prototype of the future BMW M8 was unveiled in a driving presentation as part of the support programme for the Nürburgring 24-hour race. At the wheel: Klaus Fröhlich, Member of the Board of Management of BMW AG, Development. Development is also underway of a race-spec car to spearhead the return of BMW Motorsport to the FIA World Endurance Championship from 2018. “The BMW M8 GTE development programme for our Le Mans comeback is in full swing,” says BMW Motorsport Director Jens Marquardt. “Developing a new racing car is always exciting, and in the case of the BMW M8 GTE the anticipation is that much greater still. We cannot reveal any pictures yet but I can promise you that the BMW M8 GTE will look spectacular.”

Customer racing: BMW M6 GT3 remains the top model in the range.

The 24-hour race at the Nürburgring (GER) was the ideal location for BMW Motorsport to reveal some details about the planning for its customer racing product range. The BMW M6 GT3 will remain the top model in the range of cars for private BMW teams and drivers until at least the end of 2019. An Evo package is planned for 2018, which will improve the already competitive GT sports car in many areas. The BMW M6 GT3 debuted in 2016. The Nürburgring also hosted the official start of the sales phase for the BMW M4 GT4. As of 2018, this car will close the gap between the entry-level BMW M235i Racing and the BMW M6 GT3.

Pirelli World Challenge: Turner Motorsport wins in Lime Rock Park.

The Pirelli World Challenge visited Lime Rock Park (USA) this weekend – and there was another win in the Touring Car class for the BMW M235 Racing. This time it was Dane Cameron (USA) from the Turner Motorsport team who topped the podium. Cameron claimed victory in Saturday’s turbulent second race. He had already finished in the top three in the first race on Friday. Two more BMW drivers also reached the top five in each race, finishing in fourth and fifth places; Toby Grahovec (USA, Classic BMW) and Mason Filippi (USA, Winding Road Team TFB) in race one, and Nick Wittmer (CAN, ST Racing) and Anthony Magagnoli (USA, Rooster Hall Racing) did the same in race two. A total of 18 BMW M235i Racings competed at Lime Rock Park.

International GT Open: podium for the BMW Team Teo Martín.

The BMW Team Teo Martín celebrated a first podium finish of the season in the International GT Open at the weekend. The second race of the year took place at Spa-Francorchamps (BEL). Victor Bouveng (SWE) and Fran Rueda (ESP) claimed second place on Saturday in the #65 BMW M6 GT3. Their team-mates Lourenço Beirão (POR) and Nelson Piquet Jr. (BRA) finished in fourth position in the #51 car. The second race took place in rainy conditions on Sunday. Bouveng/Rueda recorded a seventh-place finish, while Beirão/Piquet Jr. crossed the line in twelfth.

ADAC 24h Classic: spectacular performance from the BMW M1.

A special car was the centre of attention during Friday’s Youngtimer race in the ADAC 24h Classic on the Nürburgring Nordschleife. The #303 BMW M1, driven by Achim Heinrich and Michael Schrey (both GER), celebrated victory after dominating the three-hour race. They finished over two minutes ahead of the second-placed Porsche. The Classic race takes place as part of the supporting programme for the 24-hour race and is a real fans’ favourite.