Whether in the DTM, the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar
Championship, 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, 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. That way, you are always up
to speed.
ADAC GT Masters: Three questions for … Charly Lamm.
Mr. Lamm, you picked up your first win in the ADAC GT Masters
on the opening weekend: How would you sum up that achievement?
Charly Lamm: “We are currently in an intense phase – the preparations
for the Nürburgring 24 Hours and entering the ADAC GT Masters is very
demanding for us as a team. That makes us all the happier to have
claimed a victory on the opening weekend. We really did not expect
that. However, we are delighted that the team’s hard work has paid off.”
In Philipp Eng and Ricky Collard, you have two new drivers in
the team. How have the two drivers settled in?
Lamm: “Despite having very little time, both Philipp and Ricky have
settled into the team very well. Philipp is a real asset to our team –
with his experience and prudence, he is the perfect team-mate for
Ricky. Ricky had even less time to find his feet, but did so superbly
and has handled himself like a real pro from the word go. We are
pleased to have two such talented and fantastic drivers in the team.”
You will be running the BMW M6 GT3 regularly this season: what
is your impression of the car so far?
Lamm: “We are really happy with the work with the BMW M6 GT3 so far.
BMW Motorsport has developed an outstanding car, and we are looking
forward to competing with a top car. Following our first win in the
ADAC GT Masters, we are now hoping to continue this run of success. We
are definitely well positioned to do so with the BMW M6 GT3.”
—
BMW Motorsport Days: BMW works drivers visit BMW
Welt.
Just a few days before the opening round of the
DTM in Hockenheim (GER), visitors to BMW Welt in Munich (GER) have
been getting in the mood for the new season. The 2017 BMW Motorsport
Days feature an entertaining programme for the public to enjoy and
take part in. As well as feasting their eyes on a host of exhibition
cars visitors, large and small, can also experience motorsport for
themselves. Whether on a taxi ride in the BMW M2, a lap in the BMW M4
DTM simulator, or an exciting race with radio-controlled BMW models,
racing fans are in for a real treat at BMW Welt. The highlight of the
three-day event was Sunday’s autograph session with BMW DTM drivers
Marco Wittmann (GER), Augusto Farfus (BRA), Bruno Spengler (CAN) and
Tom Blomqvist (GBR). GT drivers Martin Tomczyk (GER) and Timo Scheider
(GER) who took time out for the visitors to BMW Welt. Motorsport
enthusiasts have until 1st May to check out the BMW
Motorsport Days.
BMW Driving Experience: Wittmann gives participants in the
Allgäu-Orient Rally a special training session.
Training with the champion: members of the 5ever team, which will
take part in the Allgäu-Orient Rally this year, were put through their
paces in a very special practice session last week. The six-man team
was at the BMW and MINI Driving Academy in Maisach (GER) for a
comprehensive driving and safety training course, courtesy of DTM
champion Marco Wittmann (GER) and the instructors from the BMW Driving
Experience. They took it in turns to complete laps in the BMW 520i
Touring and the new BMW 5 Series Sedan, during which they were given
valuable tips from two-time DTM champion Wittmann. The Allgäu-Orient
Rally is held every May. It takes participants 6,666 kilometres from
the Allgäu region of Bavaria to Jordan. The cars must be at least 20
years old, or worth a maximum of 1,111 Euros. Furthermore, the teams
may not use any navigation devices. BMW Group is supporting the 5ever
team. The Allgäu-Orient Rally begins in Oberstaufen (GER) on
7th May.
International GT Open: Season-opener in Estoril.
The 2017 International GT Open season kicked off this weekend with
two races in Estoril (POR). In the thick of the action were BMW Team
Teo Martín and BMW works driver António Félix da Costa (POR). The team
entered three BMW M6 GT3s – two in the Pro class and one in the Am
class – in the two races. Félix da Costa and his team-mate Lourenço
Beirão (POR) finished seventh overall with the number 51 BMW M6 GT3 in
Saturday’s opening race. Race two on Sunday was less successful for
the duo, as Félix da Costa was forced to retire whilst running third.
The number 65 car, with Fran Rueda (ESP) and Victor Bouveng (SWE) at
the wheel, came home eleventh and tenth. Filipe Barreiros and
Francisco Guedes (both POR), who were driving the number 62 car in the
Am class, finished third and fourth in their category.
Pirelli World Challenge: Two podiums in the TC
class.
Successful weekend for the BMW teams at the
Virginia International Raceway (USA): Six BMW M235i Racings finished
in the top ten in race one of the Touring Car class in the Pirelli
World Challenge. Greg Liefooghe (USA) of the Stephen Cameron Racing
team and ST Racing driver Nick Wittmer (CAN) finished second and third
to take their place on the podium. In total, 15 BMW M235i Racings took
part in the first race of the weekend. The second race had not been
completed at the time of writing.
Italian GT Championship: Two sixth places for BMW Team Italia.
The Italian GT Championship also contested its first races of the
season this weekend. BMW Team Italia and its two drivers Stefano
Comandini and Alberto Cerqui (both ITA) raced the BMW M6 GT3 in Imola
(ITA). The duo started both Saturday and Sunday’s races from eighth on
the grid, and twice managed to climb two places to finish sixth. The
second race weekend of the season will take place from 2nd
to 4th June in Misano (ITA).