Munich. This weekend features another highlight of the
endurance season – the 24 Hours of Spa-Francorchamps (BEL). For BMW
Team Schnitzer and Walkenhorst Motorsport, this also forms the third
race of the season in the International GT Challenge. Walkenhorst
Motorsport travels to the Ardennes as defending champion following
last year’s victory in Belgium.
BMW teams claimed a stunning one-two at the 70th edition
of the 24-hour race last year, with Walkenhorst Motorsport taking
victory ahead of the ROWE Racing BMW M6 GT3. This year, the team from
Melle (GER) is back again to do battle at the head of the field. At
the wheel of the #34 BMW M6 GT3 will be last year’s winner Christian
Krognes (NOR), Mikkel Jensen (DEN) and Nick Catsburg (NED), who
triumphed at Spa in 2015. The trio is contesting the full season for
Walkenhorst Motorsport in the Intercontinental GT Challenge, which
includes the 24 Hours of Spa-Francorchamps.
BMW Team Schnitzer also returns to Spa-Francorchamps in 2019 as a
competitor in the Intercontinental GT Challenge. After two
fifth-places in the races so far at Bathurst (AUS) and Laguna Seca
(USA), the two regular drivers, Augusto Farfus (BRA) and Martin
Tomczyk (GER) are currently third in the Drivers’ Championship. They
will be ably assisted in Belgium by Nick Yelloly (GBR), who has driven
the BMW M6 GT3 in the Nürburgring 24 Hours (GER) and in the China GT Championship.
As well as the two BMW M6 GT3s in the Pro category, a further three
cars will also race in the Am Cup. Walkenhorst Motorsport fields a
second BMW M6 GT3 in this class, while Boutsen Ginion and 3Y
Technology will each run a car.
Quotes ahead of the 24 Hours of Spa-Francorchamps:
Jens Marquardt (BMW Group Motorsport Director):
“This weekend we return to the scene of many BMW victories in recent
years and decades. The one-two for the BMW M6 GT3 and the first major
endurance success for Walkenhorst Motorsport last year were fantastic
achievements. In total, BMW cars have now won 24 times in the
Ardennes, including three victories in the last four years. That is an
outstanding record. This year, we once again line up with two teams
that are capable of winning, in the form of BMW Team Schnitzer and
Walkenhorst Motorsport, who will also be doing their best to pick up
as many points as possible in the third race of this season’s
Intercontinental GT Challenge. I am delighted that we will also be
represented in the Am Cup with three BMW M6 GT3s run by BMW customer
racing teams. My fingers are crossed for all the teams and drivers.”
Augusto Farfus (#42 BMW M6 GT3, BMW Team Schnitzer):
“The 24 Hours of Spa-Francorchamps is the biggest GT3 race in the
world and also forms the highlight of the season in the
Intercontinental GT Challenge. The points on offer here are crucial to
our chances in the title races. As such, our goal is to challenge for
the win and to continue the magnificent history that BMW has at this
race. The test a few weeks ago went well. I am optimistic about the race.”
Nick Catsburg (#34 BMW M6 GT3, Walkenhorst Motorsport):
“Since winning here for BMW in 2015, I always travel to the 24 Hours
of Spa-Francorchamps – one of my favourite races – with very fond
memories. The results in recent years have shown that BMW cars are
always quick on this circuit. Furthermore, this year I am racing for
last year’s winners, Walkenhorst Motorsport. We have a very strong
line-up. I don’t see anything to suggest that we cannot challenge at
the front again.”