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BMW M Motorsport News, 30th October 2023.

Jeff Seabrook BMW Racing News Monday October 30, 2023

Our BMW M Motorsport News allows us to give you a regular overview of the race action in various championships around the world and any success enjoyed by the BMW M Motorsport teams.

Björn Lellmann, Head of Customer Racing at BMW M Motorsport:

“What successful and exciting season finales! Congratulations to Jens Klingmann and Bruno Spengler on their deserved title with the BMW M4 GT3 in the Sprint Cup within the Italian GT Championship. After the Pro-Am title in the Endurance competition, this is another impressive success for BMW Italia Ceccato Racing with team principal and BMW legend Roberto Ravaglia. Awesome! The title win for Century Motorsport in the British GT Championship last week was equally thrilling and pleasing. Congratulations to Dan Harper and Darren Leung on their triumph in the overall standings, as well as Michael Johnston and Chris Salkeld, who claimed the title with the BMW M4 GT4 in the Pro-Am class. I would also like to congratulate Jody Vullo, and Gianni van de Craats and Sen Roodenburg, who were crowned champions in the BMW M2 CS Racing Cups Italy and Benelux after thrilling title races.”

BMW M Motorsport returns to Macau: BMW M Team WRT and ROWE Racing start at the FIA GT World Cup.

Jeff Seabrook BMW Racing News Tuesday October 24, 2023

After an absence of four years, BMW M Motorsport is returning to the most spectacular GT city race in the world in 2023 – the FIA GT World Cup in Macau (CHN). On 18th/19th November, BMW M Team WRT and ROWE Racing will each field a BMW M4 GT3, as they take on the ultimate challenge in the concrete canyons of the legendary ‘Guia Circuit’.

Munich. After an absence of four years, BMW M Motorsport is returning to the most spectacular GT city race in the world in 2023 – the FIA GT World Cup in Macau (CHN). On 18th/19th November, BMW M Team WRT and ROWE Racing will each field a BMW M4 GT3, as they take on the ultimate challenge in the concrete canyons of the legendary ‘Guia Circuit’. A proven Macau expert starting for ROWE Racing is Augusto Farfus (BRA). The BMW M works driver won the race in 2018. Sheldon van der Linde (RSA) is set to make his Macau debut in the car run by BMW M Team WRT with a design in the colours of Premium Technology Partner Shell.

Both BMW M Motorsport teams have raced in Macau on several occasions in the past and have a wealth of experience. BMW M Team WRT won the FIA GT World Cup in 2016 and also has more podiums to its name. ROWE Racing started with the BMW M6 GT3 in both 2016 and 2017. The team then made it onto the podium with two cars in 2019, finishing second and third. Farfus won both qualifying and the main race in 2018, at the wheel of a BMW M6 GT3 run by BMW M Team Schnitzer. The Brazilian finished fourth when BMW M Motorsport made its most recent appearance back in 2019, before the pandemic.

Quotes ahead of the FIA GT World Cup:

Andreas Roos (Head of BMW M Motorsport): “It is fantastic to finally return to Macau this year, for the first time since the pandemic. I actually was there myself for the Formula 3 race, a long time ago, and am really looking forward to being involved in the FIA GT World Cup for the first time. This will also be the first outing for the BMW M4 GT3 at the ‘Guia Circuit’. However, over the past two years the car has shown that it has what it takes to win on any kind of track. ROWE Racing and BMW M Team WRT are among the best GT teams in the world and both have a lot of experience in Macau. The same can definitely be said of Augusto Farfus as a driver. I am sure that he will show his class there once again, as well as being able to offer Sheldon van der Linde valuable advice on his debut in Macau. Augusto’s tips, the support of BMW M Team WRT and Sheldon’s own outstanding talent will ensure that he soon finds his feet at what is a new circuit for him. I am confident of that.”

Augusto Farfus (#11 BMW M4 GT3, ROWE Racing): “Macau is a magical place, and a very emotional one for me personally. The event is definitely one of the highlights of the season and I feel honoured to be able to represent BMW M Motorsport again. I have enjoyed a lot of success there in the past, particularly my victory in 2018. I am confident that we will have a very strong package with my friends at ROWE Racing and the BMW M4 GT3.“

Sheldon van der Linde (#32 BMW M4 GT3, BMW M Team WRT): “I grew up with the race in Macau and watched it every year. I always hoped that I would one day get the chance to drive there myself. That opportunity has come along, and I am incredibly grateful to BMW M Motorsport and my partner Shell for making this possible. I will listen carefully to the advice of my friend and fellow BMW driver Augusto Farfus, who has a wealth of experience there. That will hopefully speed up my learning process! I am counting down the days until the event is finally here.”

Photos shall continue in this post:

BMW M Motorsport News, 17th October 2023

Jeff Seabrook BMW Racing News Wednesday October 18, 2023

Our BMW M Motorsport News allows us to give you a regular overview of the race action in various championships around the world and any success enjoyed by the BMW M Motorsport teams.

Björn Lellmann, Head of Customer Racing at BMW M Motorsport:

“Another extremely successful race weekend in the USA! Congratulations to Turner Motorsport on its two titles with the BMW M4 GT4 and the podium with the BMW M4 GT3 at Road Atlanta! Will Turner’s team shares a long history with BMW M Motorsport. We could not wish for a better ambassador for our brand in North America. Thank you for the loyalty and commitment over so many years! I am also delighted with the Pro-Am title for BMW Italia Ceccato Racing in the Italian GT Endurance Championship. Team Principal Roberto Ravaglia is a BMW M Motorsport legend, and the race series is a magnificent platform. I now have my fingers crossed for the Sprint finale in two weeks!”

IMSA series: Two titles for Turner Motorsport.

Plenty of podium honours for BMW M Team WRT at the GT World Challenge Europe Sprint Cup finale at Zandvoort.

Jeff Seabrook BMW Racing News Wednesday October 18, 2023

The final weekend of the GTWC Sprint Cup in Zandvoort saw the BMW M Team WRT crews standing several times on the podium. Valentino Rossi and Maxime Martin impressed with third in Saturday’s race. Charles Weerts and Dries Vanthoor finished an epic Sunday’s race in second position. They were joined on the podium by WRT’s Niklas Krütten and Calan Williams in third, who were crowned Champions in the GTWC Gold Cup and the GTWC Sprint Gold Cup.

Zandvoort. The final weekend of the Fanatec GT World Challenge Europe powered by AWS Sprint Cup in Zandvoort (NED) saw the BMW M Team WRT crews standing several times on the podium over the weekend. BMW M works drivers Valentino Rossi (ITA) and Maxime Martin (BEL) impressed with a fantastic comeback to third in Saturday’s race. Fellow BMW M works drivers, Charles Weerts and Dries Vanthoor (both BEL), finished an epic Sunday’s race in second position. They were joined on the podium by WRT’s Niklas Krütten (GER) and Calan Williams (AUS) in third, who were crowned Champions in the GTWC Gold Cup and the GTWC Sprint Gold Cup.

On Saturday, after a difficult qualifying session, BMW M Team WRT’s four BMW M4 GT3s started the race in the middle of the grid. At the start, the four cars managed to stay out of trouble and to gain some positions. Rossi, at the wheel of the #46 BMW M4 GT3, made up five positions before the race was interrupted by a Safety Car. Rossi then handed the #46 car to Martin, who had a fantastic drive, and, thanks to several audacious overtakes, managed to bring the car into third position after starting from P15, delivering the third podium of the sprint season for the #46 team. The #32 car of Vanthoor and Weerts crossed the line in fifth.

2023 IMSA season finale: BMW M Team RLL finishes seventh and eighth in eventful Petit Le Mans – GTD podium for Turner Motorsport.

Jeff Seabrook BMW Racing News Sunday October 15, 2023

The 2023 IMSA season concluded with an eventful 26th running of the Petit Le Mans endurance race at Road Atlanta (USA). In the ten-hour race, marked by numerous accidents and numerous deployments of the BMW XM Safety Car, the two BMW M Team RLL BMW M Hybrid V8 prototypes finished in seventh and eighth positions in the new GTP class. Turner Motorsport secured a podium finish in the GTD class with the BMW M4 GT3.

Road Atlanta. The 2023 season in the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship (IMSA series) concluded with an eventful 26th running of the Petit Le Mans endurance race at Road Atlanta (USA). In the ten-hour race, marked by numerous accidents and numerous deployments of the BMW XM Safety Car, the two BMW M Team RLL BMW M Hybrid V8 prototypes finished in seventh and eighth positions in the new GTP class. Turner Motorsport secured a podium finish in the GTD class with the BMW M4 GT3.

After ten hours filled with incidents, the race ended behind the safety car. The #25 BMW M Hybrid V8, driven by Connor De Phillippi (USA), Nick Yelloly (GBR), and Sheldon van der Linde (RSA), finished in seventh place. Directly behind them was the #24 BMW M Hybrid V8, which had Augusto Farfus (BRA), Philipp Eng (AUT) and Marco Wittmann (GER) alternating at the wheel.

The Petit Le Mans race marked the end of the debut season for the BMW M Hybrid V8. In the nine races held in the new GTP class of the IMSA this year BMW M Team RLL secured five podium finishes with the vehicle, including a victory in the six-hour race at Watkins Glen (USA).

BMW M Motorsport News, 10th October 2023

Jeff Seabrook BMW Racing News Tuesday October 10, 2023

Our BMW M Motorsport News allows us to give you a regular overview of the race action in various championships around the world and any success enjoyed by the BMW M Motorsport teams.

Björn Lellmann, Head of Customer Racing at BMW M Motorsport:

“What an exciting phase of the motorsport season! Every week, titles are being won all over the world and I am delighted to again be able to congratulate BMW M Motorsport drivers and teams – particularly Adrenalin Motorsport Team Motec on their overall victory in the NLS. For the sixth time in a row - awesome! I am also pleased for Walkenhorst Motorsport, who dominated the season in the top SP9 Pro class and deservedly won the NLS Speed Trophy. I would also like to congratulate all the other members of the BMW M Motorsport family, who brought a successful season on the Nordschleife to a close on Saturday! In North America, Zac Anderson won the Silver class in GT4 America. Charlie Postins and James Clay also won the title in the Am category. I was at Indianapolis myself and was able to congratulate them personally. When title races are so close, there are obviously disappointments. I can ensure the BMW M Motorsport drivers and teams who narrowly missed out that we are still very proud of their magnificent performances this season. I am sure they will get another chance!”

Grand finale of the inaugural IMSA GTP season for BMW M Team RLL at Petit Le Mans: Connor De Phillippi and Nick Yelloly in contention for the driver’s title.

Jeff Seabrook BMW Racing News Tuesday October 10, 2023

BMW M Team RLL will close the inaugural IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship season for its BMW M Hybrid V8 racing cars at this weekend’s Petit Le Mans, at Road Atlanta (USA), looking to cap the year with a second GTP class victory and, potentially, a driver’s title.

Munich. BMW M Team RLL will close the inaugural IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship season for its BMW M Hybrid V8 racing cars at this weekend’s Petit Le Mans, at Road Atlanta (USA), looking to cap the year with a second GTP class victory and, potentially, a driver’s title. BMW M works drivers Connor De Phillippi (USA) and Nick Yelloly (GBR) are currently in fourth place in the GTP driver’s championship, only 38 points from the lead. They aim to add one more great finish to their season that has already seen one victory among five podium finishes.

For the 10-hour Petit Le Mans race, De Phillippi and Yelloly will be joined in the cockpit of the #25 BMW M Hybrid V8 by fellow BMW M works driver Sheldon van der Linde (RSA). Marco Wittmann (GER) joins fellow BMW M works drivers Augusto Farfus (BRA) and Philipp Eng (AUT) in the #24 BMW M Hybrid V8 with the aim of securing the first podium for the car.

Indianapolis 8 Hour: BMW M Team WRT wins – BMW maintains its lead in the IGTC manufacturer standings.

Jeff Seabrook BMW Racing News Sunday October 8, 2023

Victory for BMW M Team WRT and the BMW M4 GT3 at the Indianapolis 8 Hour, the fourth and penultimate race of the Intercontinental GT Challenge (IGTC) season. BMW works drivers Philipp Eng (AUT), Sheldon van der Linde (RSA), and Dries Vanthoor (BEL) secured a triumph at the iconic Indianapolis Motor Speedway (USA) with a 53 second margin.

Indianapolis. Victory for BMW M Team WRT and the BMW M4 GT3 at the Indianapolis 8 Hour, the fourth and penultimate race of the Intercontinental GT Challenge (IGTC) season. BMW works drivers Philipp Eng (AUT), Sheldon van der Linde (RSA), and Dries Vanthoor (BEL) secured a triumph at the iconic Indianapolis Motor Speedway (USA) with a 53 second margin. With this third consecutive IGTC win following the Kyalami 9 Hour (RSA) in February and the 24 Hours of Spa-Francorchamps (BEL) in July, BMW defended its lead in the manufacturer's standings ahead of Mercedes. Eng remains second in the driver's championship but closed the gap on the top spot. BMW M Motorsport will compete in the season finale in Abu Dhabi (UAE) in December, contending for titles in both categories.

The #30 BMW M4 GT3 started from fourth position, but Eng managed to take the lead in the first corner. The BMW M Team WRT trio temporarily lost the lead when they received a drive-through penalty for exceeding the maximum stint duration. However, with excellent speed – the BMW M4 GT3s tyre wear was reduced significantly by cooler temperatures on race day – Eng staged a comeback from fourth to second place. Leading the race with a little over two hours remaining was the #31 BMW M4 GT3 with the WRT trio of Augusto Farfus (BRA), Maxime Martin and Charles Weerts (both BEL). However, Farfus collided with another car while attempting to overtake a lapped opponent, damaging the front suspension of his car. BMW M Team WRT managed to repair the damage but lost more than ten laps in the process. Nevertheless, the joy of the team's first victory in the USA clearly overshadowed the setback.

North American BMW M Motorsport teams BimmerWorld and ST Racing also competed in Indianapolis but faced their fair share of issues. Samantha Tan (CAN), BMW works driver Neil Verhagen and Jake Walker (both USA) finished in 12^th place, while Bill Auberlen, Robby Foley and Chandler Hull (all USA) retired from the race shortly before the end.

The ‘Gulf 12 Hours’, the IGTC season finale, will take place on 9^th/10^th December in Abu Dhabi.

Reactions after the race:

BMW M Motorsport News, 3rd October 2023

Jeff Seabrook BMW Racing News Tuesday October 3, 2023

Our BMW M Motorsport News allows us to give you a regular overview of the race action in various championships around the world and any success enjoyed by the BMW M Motorsport teams.

Björn Lellmann, Head of Customer Racing at BMW M Motorsport:

“A fantastic race weekend for the BMW M Motorsport teams in Italy and Spain! Congratulations to Hofor Racing by Bonk Motorsport, Michael Schrey, and Gabriele Piana on winning the title in the GT4 European Series, as well as to Borusan Otomotiv Motorsport for a very strong season with the BMW M4 GT4. Securing the title and achieving race wins in arguably the best-staffed GT4 racing series in the world is a truly remarkable feat. I was also delighted with the successes of Team BMW Italia Ceccato Racing with the BMW M4 GT3. The team led by Team Principal Roberto Ravaglia handles our GT3 car exceptionally well and is regularly rewarded with strong results. Additionally, the triumphs of our Sim racing works team BS+Competition underscore how seriously we continue to take this aspect of our racing programme. Congratulations!”

GT4 European Series: Hofor Racing by Bonk Motorsport celebrates championship victory.

There was great jubilation for Hofor Racing by Bonk Motorsport and drivers Michael Schrey (GER) and Gabriele Piana (ITA) last weekend at Barcelona (ESP). With a victory in the final race of the GT4 European Series, they secured the titles in the team and driver standings of the Silver Cup in the #2 BMW M4 GT4. With 171 points each and three season wins, Schrey and Piana finished the year with a 26-point lead in the driver standings. In the team standings, the gap to second place was an even greater 28 points. Borusan Otomotiv Motorsport, with Tom Edgar (GBR) and Berkay Besler (TUR) at the wheel of the #12 BMW M4 GT4, finished third in both the teams' and drivers' standings at the end of the season. The duo celebrated one win and three more podium finishes but only managed to score four points at the season finale in Barcelona, leaving them with no chance of winning the title.

GT World Challenge Europe: ROWE Racing concludes an impressive Endurance Cup season.

Jeff Seabrook BMW Racing News Sunday October 1, 2023

The Fanatec GT World Challenge Europe Powered by AWS Endurance Cup season concluded with the 3-hour race at Barcelona (ESP). While the BMW M Motorsport teams didn't achieve strong results in the season finale, the ROWE Racing team looks back on an impressive season.

Barcelona. The Fanatec GT World Challenge Europe Powered by AWS Endurance Cup season concluded with the 3-hour race at Barcelona (ESP). While the BMW M Motorsport teams didn't achieve strong results in the season finale, the ROWE Racing team looks back on an impressive season. Philipp Eng (AUT), Marco Wittmann (GER) and Nick Yelloly (GBR) celebrated fantastic victories at the 24 Hours of Spa-Francorchamps (BEL) and the Monza (ITA) season opener. The driver trio and the team both finish the season second in the overall standings of the Endurance Cup for drivers and teams.

Although there was still a mathematical chance of the title before the race, the pace of the #98 BMW M4 GT3 was not sufficient to attack the top spot, as had been the case at the Nürburgring (GER) recently. Eng, Wittmann and Yelloly finished in tenth place in the season finale. The BMW Junior Team with BMW M works drivers Dan Harper (GBR), Max Hesse (GER) and Neil Verhagen (USA) secured twelfth place. At Monza, the trio celebrated their first podium finish in the series, coming in second. Overall, ROWE Racing achieved two victories (Monza, Spa-Francorchamps), one second place (Monza) and one third place (Le Castellet) in the Endurance Cup in 2023.

The BMW M Team WRT couldn't replicate the strong results they regularly achieve in the Sprint Cup during their first year with the BMW M4 GT3 in the endurance races. At Barcelona, Dries Vanthoor, Charles Weerts (both BEL) and Sheldon van der Linde (RSA) managed to secure eleventh place despite a damaged rear on their #32 BMW M4 GT3. Valentino Rossi (ITA), Maxime Martin (BEL) and Augusto Farfus (BRA) retired early in the #46 BMW M4 GT3. The #30 BMW M4 GT3 from the WRT team finished fourth in the Gold Cup. In the Bronze Cup, the WRT team #31 BMW M4 GT3 with BMW M works driver Jesse Krohn (FIN) and the #35 BMW M4 GT3 from Walkenhorst Motorsport finished in seventh and eighth positions.

The Sprint Cup season of the Fanatec GT World Challenge Europe Powered by AWS with the BMW M Team WRT will conclude on 14^th/15^th October at Zandvoort (NED).

Intercontinental GT Challenge: BMW M Team WRT competes with two BMW M4 GT3s at the Indianapolis 8 Hour.

Jeff Seabrook BMW Racing News Wednesday September 27, 2023

Munich. Two wins in three races is the record with which BMW M Motorsport travels to round four of this season’s Intercontinental GT Challenge at Indianapolis (USA), where it will be looking to back up the strong results achieved so far. BMW M Team WRT will compete at the Indianapolis 8 Hour on 7th October with two BMW M4 GT3s and six BMW M works drivers. BMW leads the manufacturer standings after the previous races at Bathurst (AUS), Kyalami (RSA) and Spa-Francorchamps (BEL). In the Drivers’ Championship, 24h Spa winner Philipp Eng (AUT) is the best-placed BMW M Motorsport driver in second place.

Eng has 43 points to his name, thanks largely to his victory at Spa-Francorchamps and second place at Kyalami in February, and trails the leader by 15 points. At Indianapolis, he will share the cockpit with Dries Vanthoor (BEL) and Sheldon van der Linde (RSA), who are currently sixth in the driver standings. Maxime Martin, Charles Weerts (both BEL) and Augusto Farfus (BRA) will be in action in the second BMW M4 GT3. These three drivers are also well-placed in the Drivers’ Championship. BMW tops the manufacturer standings with 100 points, courtesy of the one-two for BMW M Team WRT at Kyalami and ROWE Racing’s triumph at the 24h Spa.