Munich. The 2018 season draws to a close for the BMW M6 GT3
with a genuine highlight this weekend, as BMW Team Schnitzer lines
up at the FIA GT World Cup, which forms part of the Macau Grand Prix
(CHN). BMW works driver Augusto Farfus (BRA) will be at the wheel of
the number 42 car. The Brazilian and the team from Freilassing (GER)
will be supported by Shell, Premium Technology Partner of BMW M
Motorsport, at the iconic Guia Circuit. It is also set to be a
special race weekend for team principal Charly Lamm (GER): he will
take responsibility for the BMW M6 GT3 from the pit wall for the
final time.
The Macau Grand Prix on the spectacular 6.120-kilometre street
circuit is taking place for the 65th time this year. Since
2008, the GT race has been a permanent fixture of the race weekend.
BMW Team Schnitzer is closely associated with Macau: the team took its
first victory in the “Guia Race” for touring cars in 1980. The
Freilassing-based outfit now has 13 Macau victories to its name,
making it the record winner in Macau.
BMW Team Schnitzer and Farfus joined forces for one of these
victories in 2009 when the Brazilian won a round of the FIA World
Touring Car Championship (FIA WTCC) in a BMW 320si WTCC. Last year,
BMW Team Schnitzer and Farfus were reunited in Macau. The 35-year-old
finished runner-up in Saturday’s FIA GT World Cup race at the wheel of
the BMW M6 GT3 Art Car, designed by Cao Fei (CHN).
The Macau Grand Prix comprises races in different categories. As well
as the FIA GT World Cup, the Guia Circuit also hosts the famous
Formula 3 Macau Grand Prix. It is in this race that BMW DTM driver
Joel Eriksson (SWE) will make his comeback at the wheel of a Formula 3
car. The Macau Motorcycle Grand Prix will be held for the
52nd time – with a strong contingent of 17 BMW Motorrad
riders among the starters.
Quotes on the 2018 FIA GT World Cup in Macau.
Jens Marquardt, BMW Motorsport Director: “The FIA GT
World Cup at the iconic Guia Circuit is always a fantastic way to end
our season in international GT racing. We have very fond memories of
this street circuit, at which BMW has enjoyed many great successes in
recent decades. The history of BMW in Macau is closely associated with
BMW Team Schnitzer and Charly Lamm and there is no worthier occasion
for Charly’s final race as team principal.”
Charly Lamm, team principal BMW Team Schnitzer: “The
iconic street circuit in Macau is of special significance in the
history of Schnitzer Motorsport, as we have enjoyed great success
there. My own personal story with the Guia Circuit began back in 1980,
when we won with Hans-Joachim Stuck in the BMW 320 Group 5. We are
delighted to be working with August Farfus again, following our outing
together with the BMW M6 GT3 Art Car last year. We will do our very
best to get a top result.”
Augusto Farfus: “It is fantastic to be back in Macau.
I just love this circuit. Driving the BMW M6 GT3 Art Car last year was
an amazing experience. The GT field will be very strong again this
year. On top of that, we have the unique challenges posed by this
circuit to deal with, and the departure of Charly Lamm team principal
at Schnitzer. I won my very first race for BMW with Charly in 2007. I
hope we can be equally successful during this farewell weekend. One
thing is certain: it is going to be special.”