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 too, 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. This way, you
are always up to speed.
DTM: Test drives with the new BMW M4 DTM in Vallelunga.
BMW Motorsport completed a three-day test programme in Vallelunga
(ITA) last week, as part of the preparations for the DTM season with
the new BMW M4 DTM. All three manufacturers represented in the DTM
were there, each putting one car out on the circuit. BMW Team RBM
drivers Maxime Martin (BEL) and Tom Blomqvist (GBR) shared driving
duties in the cockpit of the new BMW M4 DTM. “It was great to be back
behind the wheel after the long break,” said Martin. “The new
regulations promise to make this an interesting season: our car is
new, the tyres are different and there is a lot to familiarise
ourselves with. The test went well. We still have work to do, but we
can be satisfied with how it has gone so far.” Blomqvist commented:
“After the winter break, it is fun to return to the racetrack and
prepare for the season with the team. I was able to get well
acquainted with the new BMW M4 DTM and the way the new tyres work
during the test. Overall, these were useful and productive days.”
Bruno Spengler (CAN), who is joining the BMW Team RBM this season, was
also in Vallelunga to get to know the team and support them during
testing. “It was good to spend three days with the team. I get on well
with everyone. It was important to sit down with the engineers and
start our analysis. The new regulations, the new car and the new tyres
mean there is a lot to learn from a technical point of view. I am
looking forward to the season with the BMW Team RBM.” More tests are
scheduled for 3rd to 6th April in Hockenheim
(GER). All BMW teams and drivers as well as several BMW M4 DTM will be
involved there, before the season starts at the same location on
6th May.
DTM: Technical changes announced for the 2017 season.
More power, less downforce: the DTM technical regulations for the
2017 season have been amended in key areas to place more emphasis on
driver ability. A larger air restrictor means that the engines in the
DTM cars can now call on over 500 HP. The front splitter, underbody
and rear diffusor have been changed and chassis clearance increased.
Changes have also been made to the rear wing and the connected DRS
(Drag Reduction System). Last year’s rear wings could be completely
folded away at the press of a button. However, in 2017, just the upper
profile (or gurney flap) of the wing can be flattened, thus increasing
the effectiveness of the DRS. The new Hankook tyres provide more grip
initially, before losing more grip than before as the race progresses.
In conjunction with the other changes, this results in DTM cars that
drive very differently and challenge the drivers much more than before.
IWSC: Sixth place for BMW Team RLL in Sebring.
In the second round of the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship
(IWSC) in Sebring (USA), the number 25 BMW M6 GTLM, driven by Bill
Auberlen (USA), Alexander Sims (GBR) and Kuno Wittmer (CAN), finished
sixth in the GTLM class. John Edwards (USA), Martin Tomczyk (GER) and
Nick Catsburg (NED) experienced a disappointing race, being forced to
retire the number 24 BMW M6 GTLM. Turner Motorsport delivered a strong
race performance in the GTD class. Justin Marks (USA), Jens Klingmann
(GER) and Jesse Krohn (FIN) gained several positions after starting
16th with the number 96 BMW M6 GT3. However, a damaged
suspension put an early end to the race for the crew of team boss Will
Turner (USA).
Blancpain GT Series: Four BMW M6 GT3s for the 2017 season.
During the official test drives in Le Castellet (FRA), the organisers
of the Blancpain GT Series took the opportunity to publish the lists
of starters for the coming season. The 30 cars that will be competing
in the Sprint and Endurance Cups, battling for overall victory in the
Blancpain GT Series, include two BMW M6 GT3s from the ROWE Racing
team. Walkenhorst Motorsport is joining the series this year. The team
led by Henry Walkenhorst (GER) is competing in the Endurance Cup with
two BMW M6 GT3s. BMW Motorsport Juniors Ricky Collard (GBR) and Nico
Menzel (GER) will be sharing a cockpit with Christian Krognes (NOR).
It is the perfect opportunity for Collard and Menzel to gain
experience at the top level of international GT racing. The second car
from Walkenhorst Motorsport is competing in the AM Cup. Team principal
Walkenhorst will be sharing driving duties with Stefan van Campenhoudt
(BEL) and David Schiwietz (GER). The season starts on 2nd
April in Misano (ITA) with the first race weekend in the Sprint Cup.
VLN: BMW teams preparing for the start of the season.
One week before the first race of the VLN Endurance Championship at
the Nürburgring (GER), the ROWE Racing, Schnitzer Motorsport and
Schubert Motorsport teams have used the official test and set-up day
to prepare the BMW M6 GT3s for the specific challenges posed by the
Nordschleife. Marc Basseng (GER), Tom Blomqvist (GBR), Philipp Eng
(AUT), Augusto Farfus (BRA), António Félix da Costa (PRT), Maxime
Martin (BEL), Markus Palttala (FIN), Timo Scheider (GER), Bruno
Spengler (CAN) and Marco Wittmann (GER) all got a chance to drive.
Walkenhorst Motorsport and Falken Motorsports also took to the track
with the BMW M6 GT3. The tests and the first race of the season will
be used to ensure the best possible preparation for the 24-hour race
at the Nürburgring on 27th/28th May.
Australian GT Championship: Second BMW M6 GT3 ready to start.
The BMW Team SRM will be competing with a second BMW M6 GT3 at the
second race of the Australian GT Championship, which will take place
next weekend as part of the Formula 1 season-opener in Melbourne
(AUS). Danny Stutterd (AUS) will take control of the car, which was
driven by BMW DTM driver Timo Glock (GER) at the 12-hour race in
Bathurst (AUS) in February. Stutterd completed his first test last
Wednesday and quickly got used to the BMW M6 GT3. Team principal Steve
Richards (NZL) and James Bergmüller (AUS) will continue to share
driving duties in the other car.