Team BMW Motorsport kicks off preparations at the Nürburgring.

Munich, 23rd March 2010. This weekend sees Team BMW Motorsport on track for its first race of the year in the VLN Endurance Championship. The 57th ADAC Westfalenfahrt at the Nürburgring’s Nordschleife (DE) is the first of three races in this series at which Team Manager Charly Lamm’s team will be competing in preparation for the 24-hour race at the same venue on 15th and 16th May 2010. The team was in action at the Nürburgring last Saturday at the VLN test and set-up session.

Augusto Farfus (BR), Uwe Alzen (DE) and Pedro Lamy (PT) will take it in turns at the wheel of the No 742 BMW M3 GT2. The No 743 sister car will be shared by Dirk Werner (DE), Dirk Müller (DE) and Dirk Adorf (DE) in the four-hour race. In addition, BMW works driver Jörg Müller (DE) also lines up for Schubert Motorsport as the new BMW Z4 GT3 makes its race debut.

Werner and Dirk Müller have already claimed their first podium finishes of the year with the BMW M3 GT2 on the other side of the Atlantic. At the curtain-raiser to the American Le Mans Series (ALMS) in Sebring (US), Werner and co-drivers Bill Auberlen (US) and Tommy Milner (US) finished runner-up in the GT2 class for the BMW Rahal Letterman Racing Team. Andy Priaulx (GB), Joey Hand (US) and Müller finished directly behind their team-mates in third at the 12-hour classic.

Charly Lamm (Team Manager):
“It’s nice that our season is now getting into full swing. The VLN races form an essential part of our preparation programme for the Nürburgring 24 Hours. At the Nordschleife every lap counts. For our new drivers in the team this is an especially good opportunity to become familiar with the BMW M3 GT2 at this very special track. We will try to use the weekend efficiently, in order to use the knowledge gained from this experience for further preparations.”

Dirk Werner (Car Number 743):
“Following our second place with the BMW M3 GT2 in Sebring, I am naturally very motivated as we move on to the Nürburgring. The winter break is finally over in Europe too. I know the Nordschleife well and like it there. I also feel at home in the BMW M3 GT2, so I should be able to go on the attack after a few laps.”

Uwe Alzen (Car Number 742):
“After suffering with flu at the set-up session last weekend, I am now really looking forward to the start of the VLN. Following the intensive test phase, the whole team is keen to see where we stand in relation to the opposition. It is great to finally race in front of the enthusiastic fans at the Nordschleife again. The atmosphere is always very special in the Eifel Mountains.”

Jörg Müller (Car Number 91, BMW Z4 GT3):
“I can hardly wait to drive the BMW Z4 GT3 in its first race. I was behind the wheel for its initial tests, and have to say it is one fantastic racing car. It is always fun to join up with Torsten Schubert’s team. They always work extremely professionally there.”