BMW Motorsport News - Issue 27/2017.

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. 

ADAC GT Masters: Nick Catsburg replaces Ricky Collard in Zandvoort.

DTM instead of ADAC GT Masters: As part of his comprehensive training, BMW Motorsport Junior Ricky Collard (GBR) will be on-site at the DTM in Moscow (RUS) this weekend for a first look at the processes involved in a DTM race event. At the same time, he will also have the chance to drive the BMW M4 DTM race taxi and gather more experience with the car. Collard has already taken part in the DTM Young Drivers’ Test last November. As the dates for both events clash, Collard will not be able to take part in the ADAC GT Masters races in Zandvoort (NED). Nick Catsburg (NED) will take his place. The Dutch driver, who recently claimed second place in the Nürburgring (GER) 24-hour race in the BMW M6 GT3, will support the BMW Team Schnitzer and team-mate Philipp Eng (AUT) in his home race as they battle for the top spots in the drivers’ and team championships.

BMW Sports Trophy: Michael Schrey tests the BMW M6 GT3.

One of the events surrounding the fourth race of the VLN Endurance Championship at the Nürburgring (GER) saw 2016 BMW Sports Trophy winner Michael Schrey (GER) redeem his prize and complete a test drive behind the wheel of the BMW M6 GT3. He drove more than 50 laps of the Grand Prix circuit in the car from Walkenhorst Motorsport, gradually pushing it to its limits. “That was a unique experience - many thanks to BMW Motorsport for this fantastic opportunity,” said Schrey. “I had a lot of fun but I was also able to learn a lot about the BMW M6 GT3, thanks to the great support provided by the team. Compared to the BMW M235i Racing, the biggest difference is probably in the braking. On the first few laps with the GT3 car, I was braking far too early and I slowly got used to the braking points, which really can be much later. I was very pleased with my performance by the end, as this was not just about having fun but also about seeing how I measure up against the regular drivers in the BMW M6 GT3. That went well.” This season, Schrey is competing as reigning champion in the BMW M235i Racing Cup and in the overall VLN for Bonk Motorsport, and he has won the last two races in the CUP 5 class.

Italian GT Championship: BMW Team Italia wins in Mugello.
BMW Team Italia won Saturday’s race in the Italian GT Championship in Mugello (ITA). Stefano Comandini (ITA) and Alberto Cerqui (ITA), at the wheel of the #15 BMW M6 GT3, finished 1.837 seconds ahead of the runners-up after 24 laps. In doing so, they strengthened their grip on the overall lead. Roberto Ravaglia’s (ITA) team came home ninth in race two on Sunday.

GT4 Northern Cup: Victory for Ekris Motorsport.

Max Koebolt (NED) and Ricardo van der Ende (NED) from the Ekris Motorsport team took victory in the first of two GT4 Northern Cup races at the Slovakia Ring (SVK) on Saturday. After 25 laps, the Dutch duo crossed the finish line five seconds clear of the opposition. Koebolt and van der Ende then finished third in race two on Sunday.