BMW Motorsport News – Issue 13/13.
Whether in the DTM, the American Le Mans Series, 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.
VLN: Impressive start for BMW at the Nürburgring-Nordschleife.
Victory at the season-opener, three BMW Z4 GT3s in the top five, and eighth class victories at the Nürburgring-Nordschleife (DE): the opening race of the VLN Endurance Championship on Saturday could hardly have been more successful from a BMW point of view. BMW Team Schubert drivers Dirk Müller (DE), Jörg Müller (DE) and Augusto Farfus (BR) celebrated an excellent win in the “Green Hell”, while team-mates Claudia Hürtgen (DE), Jens Klingmann (DE) and Martin Tomczyk (DE) also made it onto the podium in third place. As well as the impressive results at the head of the field, BMW racing cars also claimed their first victories of the season in the SP3, SP5, SP6, SP9, V2, V4, VD1T and VD3T categories.
Three questions for… Augusto Farfus.
Augusto, it’s been a while since you last raced at the Nordschleife. How did it feel to be back?
Augusto Farfus: “It was just fantastic. The fans, the circuit and the unique atmosphere: I must admit I really missed the Nürburgring-Nordschleife. All the good memories came back when I entered the paddock. I just love this venue, and our victory at the 2010 24-hour race will always have a special place in my heart.”
And you came back with a great result…
Farfus: “Yes. Obviously it’s sensational to claim a VLN victory straight away. But, along with my two experienced team-mates Jörg Müller and Dirk Müller, in combination with the great BMW Team Schubert, you can always expect a good result. And we all know that the BMW Z4 GT3 is a really strong car. It all came together nicely on Saturday, and I’m very pleased with this win.”
How difficult was it to make the switch from the BMW M3 DTM to the BMW Z4 GT3?
Farfus: “Obviously these two cars differ in many aspects. But I didn’t have any problems in making the switch to the GT3 car. I know the BMW Z4 GT3 well. In 2011, for instance, we won the Dubai 24 Hours with this vehicle, so it just takes one or two laps of the Nordschleife, and you are ready to push hard again. Both cars are good fun – and really fast.”
Blancpain Endurance Series: Packed field in Monza.
An impressive 60 cars contested the first round of the 2013 Blancpain Endurance Series. Among them were six BMW Z4 GT3s belonging to the Marc VDS Racing, Vita4One Racing, ROAL Motorsport and TDS Racing teams. While victory went to the Kessel Racing team, two crews finished in the top ten in the BMW Z4 GT3. TDS Racing drivers Ludovic Badey (FR) and Henry Hassid (FR) could be happy with their start to the Blancpain Endurance Series, coming home in seventh. They were followed over the finish line by Bas Leinders (BE), Yelmer Buurman (NL) and BMW works driver Maxime Martin (BE) in eighth.
European Le Mans Series: Ecurie Ecosse makes successful start.
Ecurie Ecosse overcame difficult conditions to get its campaign in the European Le Mans Series (ELMS) off to a successful start with the BMW Z4 GT3. Heavy rainfall at Silverstone (GB) resulted in a 50-minute Safety Car phase at the first round of the year. The race was ultimately suspended after 75 per cent of the three-hour race had been completed. Ollie Millroy (GB), Andrew Smith (GB) and Alasdair McCaig (GB) crossed the line in first place in the GTC class in the number 79 car. Tenth overall, behind the LMP and a number of LMGTE cars, was also a very promising result for the BMW Z4 GT3.