BMW Motorsport News – Issue 30/13.

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.

DTM: Farfus back on the podium – Tomczyk and Wittmann also in the points.

The fans at the Nürburgring (DE) were treated to an eventful seventh round of this year’s DTM. After 47 action-packed laps, it was BMW Team RBM driver Augusto Farfus who, just as he had in Moscow (RU) a fortnight ago, finished runner-up to claim his place on the podium. Martin Tomczyk (DE) bounced back in style with fifth place at BMW Team RMG’s home race. Having qualified second behind Farfus, Marco Wittmann (DE) of BMW Team MTEK came home seventh in the race.

Three questions for… Augusto Farfus.

Augusto, another impressive race. Had you reckoned with this kind of result?

Augusto Farfus: “Even Saturday’s pole position was rather a surprise to me. We were able to improve with every lap and were quick exactly when we needed to be in qualifying. When I saw the rain at the start of the race, it was clear to me this would be something of a lottery. My start was good and the pace was okay in the rain. I lost time behind Adrien Tambay, which I was then unable to make up again on a drying track. Despite this, second place is a great result. I am very proud of my team.”

What about Robert Wickens' great manoeuvre when he overtook you on the outside …

Farfus: “First of all I want to say congratulations to him on his first win in the DTM. I still remember my first win last year in Valencia and know this is a special feeling. Robert was faster than me and I could see it was going to be difficult keeping him behind. At that stage I was just trying to get by Adrien Tambay without any contact. Then Robert made a great move. He was lucky and brave, but it worked out so well done to him. I am sure we will regularly do battle out on the track, so I will be out to take revenge.”

What is your strategy for the remaining three races of the season?

Farfus: “First of all we have the break and during this time I think we need to have a look at where we are and try to find more speed. The next three races are going to be tough ones, but nothing changes for me as I just keep pushing. Nothing beats the feeling of being at the front of the field and I would love to be on the podium again. We never give up and will come back as strong as possible in Oschersleben.”

DTM: BMW drivers thank marshals.

On Friday, the BMW DTM drivers took time out from their preparations for the DTM race at the Nürburgring to say a big “Thank You”. Prompted by BMW Team RMG driver Martin Tomczyk (DE), they visited the volunteers who man the marshal positions around the track and ensure the DTM races run smoothly and in accordance with rules and regulations. The drivers signed autographs and were available for photos and a quick chat in the historic paddock at the Nürburgring. Tomczyk took the opportunity to speak to the marshals present, who numbered well over 100: “Without you, this kind of motor racing would simply not be possible. It is thanks to you that we are able to get out onto the track and do our job. Unfortunately you usually only get to see us from a distance when we drive past your positions. That is why we felt it necessary to pay you this visit to thank you for your voluntary work.”

DTM: BMW M Performance Parts gives fan’s car a racing livery.
A fantastic campaign for the fans: BMW M Performance Parts, Premium Partner of BMW Motorsport, gave the private BMW of one lucky winner an exclusive racing livery at the seventh DTM race of the year at the Nürburgring. The result was genuinely one of a kind. The car’s designer make-over was, along with a VIP weekend at the iconic race in the Eifel Mountains, the main prize in a major competition. BMW fans were asked to take photos of their own cars, equipped with parts from the BMW M Performance Parts range. A jury then viewed all the entries before selecting the most stunning BMW for the promotion in the BMW Experience World. A special highlight: BMW DTM driver and BMW M Performance Parts ambassador Martin Tomczyk (DE) presented the car to the fan in person. Fans were able to see both Tomczyk and the winning car when the 2011 DTM champion took his place in the new-look BMW in the driver parade, which took place shortly before the start of the DTM race.

DTM: Dirk Werner goes back to his karting roots in Kerpen.

On the Monday before the DTM race at the Nürburgring, BMW DTM driver Dirk Werner (DE) swapped his SAMSUNG BMW M3 DTM for a kart. The BMW Team Schnitzer driver joined Mike Rockenfeller (DE, Audi) and Christian Vietoris (DE, Mercedes) on track at the Michael Schumacher Kart&Event-Center in Kerpen (DE). The trio set target times, against which a group of journalists were then able to test themselves. “It is a long time since I sat in a kart. That was really good fun again,” said Werner.

FIA GT Series: Impressive outing from BMW Sports Trophy Team Brazil.

BMW Sports Trophy Team Brazil ended the fourth race weekend of the FIA GT Series at the Slovakiaring (SK) with an impressive fifth in the main race. Ricardo Zonta (BR) and Sergio Jimenez (BR), at the wheel of their number 21 BMW Z4 GT3, crossed the finish line about 15 seconds behind the winners. The pair had also picked up points in the qualifying race, in which they finished ninth. Team-mates Cacá Bueno (BR) and Allam Khodair (BR) came home eighth in the qualifying race, but retired early on in the main race. Luck was not on the side of BMW Sports Trophy Team India, who failed to finish both races.