BMW Motorsport News – Issue 04/14.
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.
Proven allies and impressive new additions take on the Nordschleife.
The 24-hour race at the Nürburgring-Nordschleife (DE) is always a special event for BMW Motorsport – and a successful one at that. The Bavarian manufacturer currently has 19 overall victories at the classic to its name. Furthermore, BMW has made countless appearances on the podium – like last year, when BMW Sports Trophy Team Marc VDS finished runner-up to claim the first podium for the BMW Z4 GT3. In 2014, BMW Motorsport will line up for its “Mission Green Hell” with proven allies. Like last year, the works-assisted BMW Z4 GT3s will be run by BMW Sports Trophy Team Schubert and BMW Sports Trophy Team Marc VDS. The squad of drivers features many familiar faces, as well as some impressive new additions. These include Lucas Luhr (DE) and Alexander Sims (GB). Luhr knows the Nordschleife like the back of his hand, and has long-since established himself as one of the stars of the GT scene. Sims is among the talented youngsters being given an opportunity to showcase their ability in the “Green Hell” by BMW Motorsport. The endurance season at the Nürburgring-Nordschleife gets underway at the end of March, with the 24-hour race scheduled for 21st and 22nd June.
Three questions for … Lucas Luhr and Alexander Sims.
How does it feel to be a part of the BMW family?
Lucas Luhr: “I am happy and proud to represent BMW this year. In the past, whenever I was asked who would be my strongest rivals on the Nordschleife, I always put BMW as the clear number one in my list of favourites. As such, I am delighted to be part of the BMW family. I have already won the Nürburgring 24 Hours twice, and also claimed several podiums. I have now set my sights on being successful there with BMW.”
Alexander Sims: “I have been racing on the GT circuit for two years. With BMW, I will now be able to show the GT scene what I am capable of. It is awesome to be a part of the team with such a highly-regarded manufacturer as BMW. This is a fantastic opportunity for me, and I am absolutely delighted. I will try my very best all year, and want to repay BMW for the faith it has put in me in the form of good performances.”
What does the Nürburgring-Nordschleife mean to you?
Luhr: “It means everything to me. I grew up not far from the Nürburgring and, as a kid, was always to be found up there on the Nordschleife with my father and grandfather. I have been involved in a lot of races over the course of my career, but lining up there is always something very special. That goes for both the 24-hour race and the VLN. The circuit itself is unique and the atmosphere around it, with all the many fans, is sensational. There is nothing like it anywhere else in the world.”
Sims: “The Nordschleife is known around the world as probably the most difficult and dangerous racetrack of all. I am really looking forward to driving there. It will be a great challenge. I have already done a lot of laps on the games console and in a simulator, in order to familiarise myself with the track. However, it is always a bit different when you drive the actual circuit itself. I think the first few laps there in the BMW Z4 GT3 will be a fantastic experience.”
How do you like your new equipment, the BMW Z4 GT3?
Luhr: “I have not actually driven the BMW Z4 GT3 yet, but I obviously know a fair bit about the car. After all, I have frequently found myself going head to head against it as an opponent in the past. The BMW Z4 GT3 is basically a very good car, particularly on the Nordschleife, which winds about all over the place. It has a very good basic speed and a lot of downforce. I am really looking forward to getting to know it from behind the wheel.”
Sims: “I don’t know the car that well yet, but I did test the BMW Z4 GTE last year. I assume that many aspects of the BMW Z4 GT3 are similar. Also, I spent all last season racing against it, and my impression was that this is a great racing car. You have a lot of downforce, which allows you to brake very late into corners. That could really suit me, as I have spent the majority of my career so far driving in single-seater cars. Therefore, I am used to using the downforce and braking very late.”
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British GT Championship: Sims starts for Ecurie Ecosse.
As well as competing on the Nordschleife, Sims will also drive a BMW Z4 GT3 in the British GT Championship. The 25-year-old will contest the entire season for the Ecurie Ecosse team, with the exception of the races in Snetterton (GB), which coincide with the Nürburgring 24 Hours. He will share the car, which is run by Barwell Motorsport, with Marco Attard (GB). “I am absolutely thrilled. It is fantastic to be contesting an entire season in such a prestigious series as the British GT Championship,”said Sims. The British GT Championship season kicks off with the two races in Oulton Park (GB) on 20th/21st April. Ecurie Ecosse will also race for the entire season in the Pro-Am class of the Blancpain Endurance Series.