BMW Motorsport News – Issue 40/16

Whether in the DTM, the IMSA WeatherTech 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.

DTM: Marco Wittmann visits the home of the BMW M4 Coupé.

After a host of interviews, editorial meetings and television appearances, the newly-crowned DTM champion Marco Wittmann (DE) visited the home of BMW on Friday: the 26-year-old driver came along to the BMW Group Plant Munich, the parent BMW Group plant. Cars and motors have been in production here since 1922. He was welcomed by plant manager Milan Nedeljkovic. Wittmann enjoyed an extended tour, taking a look behind the scenes and visiting various production areas - paint shop, assembly, seat manufacturing and assembly finish. BMW employees had the opportunity to meet their successful motor-racing colleague in person. Wittmann, who trained to be a car body maker, found out plenty of information about the employees’ tasks and was also able to give them an idea of his average racing day. He also learned a lot about the production of the BMW M4 Coupé. This model is the basis for his Red Bull BMW M4 DTM, which he drove to three race wins in 2016. In addition to series production of the BMW M4 Coupé, the BMW Group Plant Munich also constructs the basis models for the BMW M4 DTM Champion Edition, which has a limited production run of 200. In addition to his tour of the plant, the youngest two-time DTM champion yet also found time for two autograph signing sessions. “It is always wonderful for me to visit the BMW Group Plant Munich and meet the employees here. Coming here as DTM champion makes it all the more special,” said Wittmann. “Our successes in motorsport would not be possible without the work of everyone here. That’s why I always look forward to giving something back on days like this.”

DTM: One season ends, the next one begins.

The BMW teams don’t have much time for a break in the DTM: the preparations for next year start just one week after the 2016 season draws to a close. The first official testing for 2017 will take place from Tuesday to Friday in the “Motorsport Arena Oschersleben” (DE). Reigning champion Marco Wittmann (DE) and Timo Glock (DE) will be behind the wheel of the BMW M4 DTM for BMW.

VLN: Double podium for the BMW M6 GT3 at the finale on the Nordschleife.

The 2016 VLN Endurance Racing Championship Nürburgring season ended with a double podium for the BMW M6 GT3. At the finale on the Nürburgring Nordschleife (DE), BMW works driver Jörg Müller (DE) and BMW Motorsport Junior Nico Menzel (DE), competing for the BMW Team RBM, claimed pole position in the BMW M6 GT3 and then crossed the line in second place at the end of the four-hour race. Third place went to BMW Motorsport Junior Jesse Krohn (FI), Victor Bouveng (SE) and Christian Krognes (NO) in the Walkenhorst Motorsport car. “It was mad to be up here on the podium. A huge thank you to BMW for giving me the opportunity to drive here in the BMW M6 GT3. And thanks also to BMW Team RBM for its fantastic work. This didn’t fall into our lap - we reached the podium thanks to a strong performance and great teamwork. That makes us all the happier,” said18-year-old Menzel after completing his second race with the BMW M6 GT3. The track was wet for the start, but the circuit then dried out. “The conditions were anything but easy and we even had some aquaplaning,” explained Müller, who drove the first stint from pole position. “I slowed down a little as our primary objective was for Nico to gain some more experience. Just like in the penultimate race, Nico produced a great performance and brought the car home calmly in second place.” Krohn/Bouveng/Krognes had started the race from eighth place. “I am delighted,” was Krohn’s comment on the third-place finish. “The extremely changeable conditions made the race really difficult. I made it through the opening phase all right and my two team-mates secured the podium finish with their stints. It’s nice to finish the season like this.” BMW works drivers Bruno Spengler (CA) and António Félix da Costa (PT) also competed at the finale, collecting valuable Nordschleife experience in the BMW M235i Racing. Together with team-mate Kuno Wittmer (CA), they finished the race in 55th place overall.

VLN: Michael Schrey and Alexander Mies celebrate overall win.

Number 1 for Michael Schrey (DE) and Alexander Mies (DE): the two Bonk Motorsport drivers were crowned overall champions of the 2016 VLN Endurance Racing Championship Nürburgring after the season finale on the Nordschleife (DE). The duo had already secured the title in their BMW M235i Racing. The official award ceremony followed. “We are delighted. Standing on the podium and holding the number 1 for next season just feels fantastic,” said Schrey. Team-mate Mies explained the key to their success: “We were amazingly consistent this season, even under the most difficult conditions. And let’s not forget the great work of the team.” Two races before the end of the season, Schrey and Mies were also confirmed as winners of the BMW M235i Racing Cup, which takes place as part of the VLN. To round things off, Schrey and Mies claimed a tenth class victory in the BMW M235i Racing Cup in the tenth and final race.