PressClub Middle East · Article.
BMW Motorsport News – Issue 11/17.
Sun Mar 19 16:08:00 CET 2017 Press Release
Intensive test programme for the new BMW M4 DTM in Vallelunga – preparations start for the 24 Hours Nürburgring.
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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: Test drives with the new BMW M4 DTM in
Vallelunga.
BMW Motorsport completed a three-day test
programme in Vallelunga (ITA) last week, as part of the preparations
for the DTM season with the new BMW M4 DTM. All three manufacturers
represented in the DTM were there, each putting one car out on the
circuit. BMW Team RBM drivers Maxime Martin (BEL) and Tom Blomqvist
(GBR) shared driving duties in the cockpit of the new BMW M4 DTM. “It
was great to be back behind the wheel after the long break,” said
Martin. “The new regulations promise to make this an interesting
season: our car is new, the tyres are different and there is a lot to
familiarise ourselves with. The test went well. We still have work to
do, but we can be satisfied with how it has gone so far.” Blomqvist
commented: “After the winter break, it is fun to return to the
racetrack and prepare for the season with the team. I was able to get
well acquainted with the new BMW M4 DTM and the way the new tyres work
during the test. Overall, these were useful and productive days.”
Bruno Spengler (CAN), who is joining the BMW Team RBM this season, was
also in Vallelunga to get to know the team and support them during
testing. “It was good to spend three days with the team. I get on well
with everyone. It was important to sit down with the engineers and
start our analysis. The new regulations, the new car and the new tyres
mean there is a lot to learn from a technical point of view. I am
looking forward to the season with the BMW Team RBM.” More tests are
scheduled for 3rd to 6th April in Hockenheim
(GER). All BMW teams and drivers as well as several BMW M4 DTM will be
involved there, before the season starts at the same location on
6th May.
DTM: Technical changes announced for the 2017
season.
More power, less downforce: the DTM technical
regulations for the 2017 season have been amended in key areas to
place more emphasis on driver ability. A larger air restrictor means
that the engines in the DTM cars can now call on over 500 HP. The
front splitter, underbody and rear diffusor have been changed and
chassis clearance increased. Changes have also been made to the rear
wing and the connected DRS (Drag Reduction System). Last year’s rear
wings could be completely folded away at the press of a button.
However, in 2017, just the upper profile (or gurney flap) of the wing
can be flattened, thus increasing the effectiveness of the DRS. The
new Hankook tyres provide more grip initially, before losing more grip
than before as the race progresses. In conjunction with the other
changes, this results in DTM cars that drive very differently and
challenge the drivers much more than before.
IWSC: Sixth place for BMW Team RLL in
Sebring.
In the second round of the IMSA WeatherTech
SportsCar Championship (IWSC) in Sebring (USA), the number 25 BMW M6
GTLM, driven by Bill Auberlen (USA), Alexander Sims (GBR) and Kuno
Wittmer (CAN), finished sixth in the GTLM class. John Edwards (USA),
Martin Tomczyk (GER) and Nick Catsburg (NED) experienced a
disappointing race, being forced to retire the number 24 BMW M6 GTLM.
Turner Motorsport delivered a strong race performance in the GTD
class. Justin Marks (USA), Jens Klingmann (GER) and Jesse Krohn (FIN)
gained several positions after starting 16th with the
number 96 BMW M6 GT3. However, a damaged suspension after a collision
put an early end to the race for the crew of team boss Will Turner (USA).
Blancpain GT Series: Four BMW M6 GT3s for the 2017
season.
During the official test drives in Le Castellet
(FRA), the organisers of the Blancpain GT Series took the opportunity
to publish the lists of starters for the coming season. The 30 cars
that will be competing in the Sprint and Endurance Cups, battling for
overall victory in the Blancpain GT Series, include two BMW M6 GT3s
from the ROWE Racing team. Walkenhorst Motorsport is joining the
series this year. The team led by Henry Walkenhorst (GER) is competing
in the Endurance Cup with two BMW M6 GT3s. BMW Motorsport Juniors
Ricky Collard (GBR) and Nico Menzel (GER) will be sharing a cockpit
with Christian Krognes (NOR). It is the perfect opportunity for
Collard and Menzel to gain experience at the top level of
international GT racing. The second car from Walkenhorst Motorsport is
competing in the AM Cup. Team principal Walkenhorst will be sharing
driving duties with Stefan van Campenhoudt (BEL) and David Schiwietz
(GER). The season starts on 2nd April in Misano (ITA) with
the first race weekend in the Sprint Cup.
VLN: BMW teams preparing for the start of the
season.
One week before the first race of the VLN
Endurance Championship at the Nürburgring (GER), the ROWE Racing,
Schnitzer Motorsport and Schubert Motorsport teams have used the
official test and set-up day to prepare the BMW M6 GT3s for the
specific challenges posed by the Nordschleife. Marc Basseng (GER), Tom
Blomqvist (GBR), Philipp Eng (AUT), Augusto Farfus (BRA), António
Félix da Costa (PRT), Maxime Martin (BEL), Markus Palttala (FIN), Timo
Scheider (GER), Bruno Spengler (CAN) and Marco Wittmann (GER) all got
a chance to drive. Walkenhorst Motorsport and Falken Motorsports also
took to the track with the BMW M6 GT3. The tests and the first race of
the season will be used to ensure the best possible preparation for
the 24-hour race at the Nürburgring on 27th/28th May.
Australian GT Championship: Second BMW M6 GT3 ready to
start.
The BMW Team SRM will be competing with a second
BMW M6 GT3 at the second race of the Australian GT Championship, which
will take place next weekend as part of the Formula 1 season-opener in
Melbourne (AUS). Danny Stutterd (AUS) will take control of the car,
which was driven by BMW DTM driver Timo Glock (GER) at the 12-hour
race in Bathurst (AUS) in February. Stutterd completed his first test
last Wednesday and quickly got used to the BMW M6 GT3. Team principal
Steve Richards (NZL) and James Bergmüller (AUS) will continue to share
driving duties in the other car.