Munich. This weekend, the Intercontinental GT Challenge kicks
off the new season with the Bathurst 12 Hour (AUS). In the thick of
the action will be two BMW M6 GT3s, run by BMW Team Schnitzer and
Walkenhorst Motorsport. In addition, the RHC-Jorgensen/Strom by Marc
GT team will field the BMW M4 GT4 in Class B.
For BMW Team Schnitzer, this is the first race since the sudden loss
of long-time team principal Charly Lamm. He will be buried this week
in a private ceremony with close family members. The date for a
memorial service in Charly’s honour will be announced at a later time.
Under the circumstances, the sporting preview of the race at “Mount
Panorama” is of little significance. BMW Motorsport Director Jens
Marquardt will, contrary to his original plans, travel to Bathurst to
support BMW Team Schnitzer at this difficult time.
Jens Marquardt said: “After the remarkable race at Daytona, which we
won for Charly Lamm, we now move on to the next classic on the other
side the world. I want to stand at BMW Team Schnitzer’s side at
Bathurst. We will be made all the more aware of how deeply we miss
Charly this weekend. We will endeavour to honour him with a good
result again at Mount Panorama.”
Daytona winner Augusto Farfus (BRA), Martin Tomczyk (GER) and local
favourite Chaz Mostert (AUS) will drive the #42 BMW M6 GT3 for BMW
Team Schnitzer. For Walkenhorst Motorsport, BMW works drivers Nick
Catsburg (NED) and Mikkel Jensen (DEN) will be joined at the wheel of
the #34 car by Christian Krognes (NOR).