Munich. The DTM finale at the Norisring (GER) was quite a
spectacle. Motorsport fans in the full grandstands and packed
paddock were treated to a feast of action both on and off the track,
and BMW M Motorsport played a major role. As well as bidding
farewell to the BMW M6 GT3 from the DTM, the spotlight was also on
the title deciders in the BMW M2 Cup and the DTM Trophy. The
historic BMW M Motorsport endurance legends also provided some very
special eye candy.
DTM: Marco Wittmann ends the year fourth overall in the BMW M6
GT3’s farewell season.
It was a visibly happy Marco Wittmann (GER) who emerged from the
Walkenhorst Motorsport BMW M6 GT3 after the 16th and final race of the
DTM season. Seventh place in his home race at the Norisring was a
successful end to what has, on the whole, been an extremely successful
season. He finished fourth in the championship, with 171 points, two
wins, two pole positions and five podiums to his name. “Finishing
seventh was a satisfactory way to end the season. We were not
expecting that before the race, so I am really happy,” said Wittmann.
“I can be particularly pleased with fourth place overall in the
championship. For me, the highs and the victories this season
definitely outweigh anything else. The performances we gave this year
were huge.”
As well as Wittmann, ROWE Racing drivers Sheldon van der Linde (RSA)
and Timo Glock (GER) also raced in the DTM in the farewell season for
the BMW M6 GT3, which will be replaced by the new BMW M4 GT4 in 2022.
They finished eleventh and 17th in the Drivers’ Championship.
BMW M2 Cup: Inaugural season a total success.
The BMW M2 Cup crowned the champion of its inaugural season at the
Norisring. Louis Henkefend (GER) won three races and scored a total of
177 points in the #17 BMW M2 CS Racing. “I am incredibly happy! That
is a big load off my mind,” said Henkefend. “Thank you to everyone who
has supported me throughout the years. This title means an awful lot
to me.”
The goal of the BMW M2 Cup is to offer talented young drivers the
opportunity to prove themselves and go head-to-head on a big stage in
identical cars at the highest technological level. This goal was well
and truly achieved. “It was fantastic to be there live at the
Norisring for the finale of this season’s BMW M2 Cup, and to
experience the magnificent atmosphere in Nuremberg. That is motorsport
at its best,” said Thomas Felbermair, Vice President Sales and
Marketing BMW M GmbH. “Congratulations to Louis Henkefend on winning
the Driver title in the inaugural season of our new one-make cup with
the BMW M2 CS Racing. His consistently strong displays make him a
worthy champion. It was a great pleasure to see him and all the other
drivers racing against each other at such a high level over the course
of the season. The performances of the many talented young racers are
confirmation that we were spot on with the alignment of our BMW M2
Cup. Thank you to tolimit for organising and implementing the racing
season, as well as all the partners for their support. I can hardly
wait for the second season next year.”
DTM Trophy: Ben Green wins title showdown in the BMW M4 GT4.
Britain’s Ben Green, in a BMW M4 GT4 run by FK Performance
Motorsport, won the title in the DTM Trophy in a truly nail-biting
finale. He led his closest rival William Tregurtha (GBR, Mercedes) by
just six points going into the final race on Sunday. Fittingly, the
two title contenders ended up battling it out amongst themselves for
the race win and with it the title. It was Green who eventually
emerged triumphant, winning the race and defending the top spot in the
overall standings. In total, Green won five races over the course of
the season. Michael Schrey and Theo Oeverhaus (both GER) each one won
race in the BMW M4 GT4. They ended the season fifth and sixth in the
Drivers’ Championship. FK Performance Motorsport also won the Team
title with 268 points. In the Manufacturers Championship, BMW was
victorious with 302 points.
BMW M Motorsport endurance legends thrill the crowds.
One of the biggest favourites with the crowds in the Norisring
paddock were the BMW M Motorsport endurance legends. BMW Group Classic
presented some of the most spectacular and iconic BMW race cars,
offering a taste of things to come when BMW M Motorsport enters the
LMDh class from the 2023 season. Fans were able to admire and watch
the following cars in action as they took to the track for a number of
show runs: a replica of the 1973 BMW 3.0 CSL, the BMW M1 ‘Münchner
Wirte’ from 1981, the 1992 BMW M3 E30, the BMW McLaren F1 GTR Long
Tail from 1997, the BMW V12 LMR from 1999, and the 2015 BMW Z4 GT3. At
the wheel of the cars were Peter Oberndorfer (GER), Prinz Leopold von
Bayern (GER), Johnny Cecotto (VEN), Peter Kox (NED), Marc Hessel
(GER), Bruno Spengler (CAN) and BMW M Managing Director Markus Flasch.
“It was fantastic to be back at the Norisring after two years, and to
see the fantastic fans, some of whom had come here specially to meet
me,” said Spengler. “It was very special to drive the BMW Z4 GT3, with
which I contested the 24 Hours of Spa-Francorchamps alongside Alex
Zanardi and Timo Glock in 2015, in front of this great backdrop. That
is a really cool car, which is great fun to drive.”