BMW:Nürburgring 24 Hours debut for the new BMW M4 GT3 crowns BMW M anniversary week.
Nürburgring. The anniversary week of BMW M GmbH is in full
swing. The company was founded on 24th May 1972, and this
week it celebrates its 50th birthday at the
50th staging of the Nürburgring 24 Hours (GER). The focus
will be on the BMW M4 GT3, which is set for its race debut at the
endurance classic, which BMW M Motorsport teams have won 20 times in
the past. However, the support programme presented by BMW M is also
quite something. The BMW M Race of Legends, the M Korso, and M Town
are just some of the many highlights on offer to the fans, who will
finally be back at the circuit in big numbers.
In the 24-hour race, seven BMW M4 GT3s will be looking to back up the
good performances shown in the run-up to the event, and to have a say
in the battle for overall victory. Recent wins for ROWE Racing and the
BMW Junior Team in the Nürburgring Endurance Series and the 24h
Qualifiers have demonstrated the great potential of the new car. It
now faces the ultimate test on the most demanding racetrack in the world.
As well as the BMW M4 GT3, many other BMW M Motorsport cars will also
line up on the grid; the BMW M4 GT4, the BMW M2 CS Racing, the BMW
M240i Racing, and other race cars assembled by private teams take the
total number to roughly 30 BMWs, which will take on the challenge of
the 24-hour race.
50 years of BMW M: Birthday celebration with guest of honour
Jean Todt.
The BMW M2 CS Racing also plays a major role in the highlight of BMW
Ms’ birthday programme. The BMW M Race of Legends, in which heroes
from throughout the motor racing history of BMW M go head to head,
will feature twelve BMW M2 CS Racing cars with a special anniversary
livery – similar to that of the Schubert Motorsport BMW M4 GT3. The
30-minute race takes place on the Grand Prix Circuit at 14:00 on
Saturday, immediately before the grid forms for the 24-hour race. The
BMW legends will also be available to sign autographs, pose for photos
and chat to fans all weekend.
Jochen Neerpasch, the first head of BMW Motorsport GmbH, and former
FIA president Jean Todt will be in attendance as guests of honour.
Todt accepted the invitation he received from a BMW M Motorsport
delegation, led by Neerpasch, at the FIA Gala in December 2021. The
Frenchman has enjoyed an association with BMW Motorsport GmbH from the
very beginning. He and Neerpasch had previously implemented a number
of joint projects, and again worked together on the rally scene from
1973. Among other things, Todt won a round of the World Rally
Championship alongside Achim Warmbold in a BMW 2002 Ti. Furthermore,
Todt made contact with Hervé Poulain, with whom Neerpasch developed
the idea of the BMW Art Cars. As a friend and comrade-in-arms, Jean
Todt played a very important role in the positive development of BMW
Motorsport GmbH.
The traditional M Korso, in which privateers parade round the
Nordschleife in their BMW M cars, also takes place on Saturday. In the
large M Town activity area on the ring°boulevard and in the
neighbouring M showroom, fans can immerse themselves in the world of
BMW M. Current and vintage cars are on display here. There is also a
show programme with regular interviews.
Quotes ahead of the Nürburgring 24 Hours.
Franciscus van Meel (CEO of BMW M GmbH): “What a week
for BMW M! On Tuesday we celebrate the brands’ 50th
birthday, as it was on 24th May 1972, under the leadership
of Jochen Neerpasch, that the 35-strong BMW Motorsport GmbH was
founded. It is unbelievable how it has developed in the five decades
since it was formed. BMW M vehicles are icons – both on the street and
at the racetrack. Where better to celebrate our birthday than on the
Nürburgring-Nordschleife, where BMW M road cars have always been put
through their paces, and BMW M Motorsport race cars have made history.
I am very much looking forward to a weekend full of highlights: the
premiere of the BMW M4 GT3 in the 24-hour race, the BMW M Race of
Legends, the M Korso, our M Town, and much more. Above all, however, I
am glad that we are finally able to celebrate this festival of motor
racing again with all our fans.”
Andreas Roos (Head of BMW M Motorsport): “After
months of intensive preparations, the wait is finally over. The
Nürburgring 24 Hours is both the highlight of the season so far and
the biggest test for the new BMW M4 GT3. The results achieved and the
speed shown in previous races on the Nordschleife have been very good.
Our teams and drivers have really done an outstanding job,
particularly when you consider how little time they have had to
familiarise themselves with the finer details of the car. We have
shown that we have the potential to challenge for victory on the
Nordschleife in the very first year with the BMW M4 GT3 – everyone
involved can be very proud of that. However, it is not pure speed that
will decide between victory and defeat, but primarily reliability. In
this regard, running a new car obviously poses a number of challenges.
We have done everything possible to be as well prepared as we can for
the ultimate endurance test. However, we are also aware that a 24-hour
race can be ruthless. We have an exciting weekend ahead of us.”
Torsten Schubert (Team Principal Schubert Motorsport):
“The 24-hour race at the Nürburgring has a special place in
the history of Schubert Motorsport. We are delighted to line up with
the new BMW M4 GT3 this year and, in doing so, to honour the history
of BMW M. We have come close to the podium several time in the past.
This time, we want to finish right at the front, and we will do
everything in our power to achieve this goal. Furthermore, it will be
rather special to appear with my sons in the BMW M2 CS Racing. We just
want to enjoy this fantastic race – together with all the fans, who
are finally back again. That is something we are particularly pleased
about. We really missed that atmosphere.”
Stefan Reinhold (Team Principal BMW M Team RMG): “For
us, as a team from the Eifel region, the 24-hour race is obviously the
highlight of the season, to which we all look forward. It is fantastic
to finally be able to experience that world-famous Nürburgring flair
again this year, with big crowds in the grandstands, at the campsites,
in the paddock and on the grid. Together with the BMW Junior Team, we
have worked hard in recent months to prepare as well as possible for
the race with the new BMW M4 GT3. Our results have been very positive.
We have shown impressive pace and put on a good show for the fans. We
want to back that up in the 24-hour race. However, the challenge for
the drivers, team and car is greater than it was in the preparations.
Issues like the reliability of the car and consistency of the drivers
at day and night, and in any weather, will definitely play a decisive role.”
Hans-Peter Naundorf (Team Principal ROWE Racing): “It
is exciting for us to line up at the Nürburgring 24 Hours with the new
BMW M4 GT3 for the first time in our seventh year with BMW M
Motorsport. BMW M Motorsport has again made it possible for us to
compete with a fantastic driver line-up this year. We are thrilled to
be working with these top drivers. That is a big privilege and not
something that can be taken for granted. We will do everything we can
to repay that faith and, two years after its 20th overall victory,
give BMW M something to celebrate on its 50th anniversary.”
Niclas Königbauer (Team Manager Walkenhorst Motorsport):
“This year’s milestone Nürburgring 24 Hours is obviously one
of the highlights of our season. We are delighted to be able to field
our three BMW M4 GT3s and finally experience the event together with
what we hope will be big crowds at the circuit again. I am sure that
the race will again provide plenty of excitement and the Eifel will
live up to its reputation. Together with our partner Yokohama, our
drivers and fans, we have put together a very strong package, which
will allow us to battle for the best possible result and master the 24 hours.”
BMW M4 GT3 line-ups:
#20 Schubert Motorsport:
Jesse Krohn (FIN), Alexander Sims (GBR), Jens Klingmann (GER), Niklas
Krütten (GER)
#72 BMW M Team RMG / BMW Junior Team:
Dan Harper (GBR), Max Hesse (GER), Neil Verhagen (USA)
#98 ROWE Racing:
Nick Catsburg (NED), John Edwards (USA), Sheldon van der Linde (RSA),
Marco Wittmann (GER)
#99 ROWE Racing:
Connor De Phillippi (USA), Philipp Eng (AUT), Augusto Farfus (BRA),
Nick Yelloly (GBR)
#100 Walkenhorst Motorsport:
Henry Walkenhorst (GER), Friedrich von Bohlen (GER), Jörg Breuer
(GER), Andreas Ziegler (GER)
#101 Walkenhorst Motorsport:
Christian Krognes (NOR), Andy Soucek (ESP), Sami-Matti Trogen (FIN),
Jörg Müller (GER)
#102 Walkenhorst Motorsport:
Jörg Müller (GER), Mario von Bohlen (GER), Ben Tuck (GBR), Jörn
Schmidt-Staade (GER)
Start list for the BMW M Race of Legends:
Franciscus van Meel (NED)
Olaf Manthey (GER)
SKH Leopold von Bayern (GER)
Johnny Cecotto (VEN)
Arturo Merzario (ITA)
Harald Grohs (GER)
Bill Auberlen (USA)
Dirk Adorf (GER)
Jochen Mass (GER)
Eddie Cheever (USA)
Steve Soper (GBR)
Eric van de Poele (BEL)