BMW Motorsport News – Issue 11/14.

Whether in the DTM, the United SportsCar Championship, 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” allows us to regularly summarise all the action for you in a compact and informative manner. This way, you are always up to speed.

24 hour qualifying race: BMW Sports Trophy Teams celebrate one-two-three-four.
The BMW Sports Trophy Teams Marc VDS and Schubert finished the qualifying race for the Nürburgring 24 Hours (DE) in the top four spots. The number 25 BMW Z4 GT3 won ahead of the cars carrying the numbers 20, 19 and 26. BMW Motorsport's BMW M235i Racing also celebrated a successful debut with BMW Junior Alexander Mies (DE), ex-MotoGP rider Alex Hofmann (DE) and the British specialist racing journalist Jethro Bovingdon (GB) at the wheel. The trio finished the race an excellent 17th overall.

Three questions for… Alex Hofmann and Alexander Mies.

What can Alex Hofmann and Alexander Mies learn from each other?
Alex Hofmann: “I can learn a great deal from Alexander, even though I am much older. But it's all about experience on the Nordschleife and he is way ahead of me there. I think it's great that BMW Motorsport gives young talent such as him the opportunity to participate in touring car racing. His lap times and choice of racing line are a fantastic reference.”

Alexander Mies: “First and foremost, I can benefit from Alex's experience as a racing driver. Just like him, this was also my first race in the BMW M235i Racing. We helped each other a lot while we were getting used to the car. The good atmosphere that Alex brings to the team is also extremely valuable.”

What connection do you two have with the Nordschleife?
Mies: “I have already taken part in about 40 VLN races here – all of them in BMWs. My favourite section is the passage after the Karussell. That's where the fun really begins!”

Hofmann: “I'm now at the stage that I have the cold sweats under control (he laughs). But I can't compete with 40 VLN races. This is the fourth time I have been registered for the 24-hour race, but I didn't get very far in my first two attempts, and last year I missed eight hours due to rain. This time I hope I finally get to compete in my first 24-hour race.”

What do you, Alex, as a motorcycle racer, find fascinating about car races, and you Alexander, as a car racer, find fascinating about motorcycles?
Hofmann: “It's so much fun. I am a motorsport enthusiast and, if you want to see motorsport at its purest, the Nürburgring 24 Hours is a must. There's something special about this event, it has a charm that I haven't experienced anywhere else. As a motorcycle racer, it's also reassuring that my vehicle can stand up on its own thanks to its four wheels and that I feel extremely safe thanks to the crumple zone.”

Mies: “I don't ride a motorcycle myself, but watch the races on television so I already knew who Alex was. Maybe he can give me a few lessons.”

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Japanese Super GT: One-two victory for BMW Z4 GT3 at opening race of the season.
Sensational opening race for the BMW Z4 GT3 in the Japanese Super GT Championship season. Nobuteru Taniguchi (JP) and Tatsuya Kataoka (JP) from the Goodsmile Hatsunemiku team won the race in Okayama (JP) ahead of BMW Sports Trophy Team Studie with Jörg Müller (DE) and Seiji Ara (JP) at the wheel. After almost two hours of racing in changeable weather, only 0.3 seconds separated the two BMW Z4 GT3s. They finished more than a lap ahead of the car in third place.

DTM: Tomczyk thrills DTM fans in Graz in the BMW M3 DTM.
With the slogan “Spielberg meets Graz”, BMW DTM driver Martin Tomczyk (DE) made a guest appearance in Graz (AT) on Saturday and completed a show run organised by Red Bull in a BMW M3 DTM. Tomczyk performed doughnuts in front of many enthusiastic fans in Graz city centre and signed numerous autographs. “It was a sensational day,” said Tomczyk. “The weather was perfect and I was able to put on a spectacular show for the fans. A great taste of what's to come in the upcoming DTM season and our race at the Red Bull Ring in Spielberg in the summer.”