GT sports in the Eifel: BMW teams are ready for the 24 hours at the Nürburgring

No less than 40 BMW racing cars can be found in the preliminary list of participants for the race, which will be held on the 25,378 kilometers long combination of Nordschleife and parts of the Grand Prix track. Six of them compete in the SP9 class, which combines the high-performance GT3 vehicles. The hopes of the BMW teams of Schubert Motorsport, ROWE Racing and Walkenhorst Motorsport, for example, are based on the newly developed BMW M6 GT3 bring. Add to that 13 BMW M235i Racing, the successful entry-level model in the product range of BMW Motorsport, as well as numerous other BMW racing cars, which are used by private teams with great passion.

The BMW M6 GT3 celebrates its premiere in an 24-hour race in Europe and follows in big footsteps: Both 2013 and 2015 reached the predecessor model BMW Z4 GT3 respectively the second place at the Nürburgring. The last victory to date was Augusto Farfus (BR), Jörg Müller (DE), Uwe Alzen (DE) and Pedro Lamy (DE).PT) succeeded in the year 2010 with the BMW M3 GT. The BMW Z24 GT4 won a much acclaimed victory last season in the Spa-Francorchamps (BE) 3 class classic. Now, the BMW M6 GT3 is coming out with a win at the dress rehearsal in the VLN Endurance Championship at 14. May caused a sensation, continue this success story.

The BMW teams send some of the best and most successful riders into the race, who have ever faced the "Green Hell". Three drivers in the BMW M6 GT3 already won the 24 Nürburgring race series: Müller (2 victories), Farfus (1 victory) and Lucas Luhr (DE, 2 victories), exactly ten years after his first triumph at the race want to be at the top of the podium again. Five drivers from the current DTM driver squad from BMW Motorsport also venture a detour to the Nordschleife. Timo Glock (DE) does not sit at the wheel of the weekend, but accompanies his teammates as a TV expert from a completely different perspective through the weekend. RTL and RTL NITRO report extensively on the highlight of GT season 2016.

Not only the spectators on the TV but also the fans on site at the track can look forward to a motorsport spectacle in a class of its own. Supporters of BMW Motorsport and BMW M are in good hands at the M Festival, as they have been in previous years. For the sixth time in a row, visitors will be able to follow events from the area directly at the Grand Prix circuit or at the "Fan Base" in the heart of the "Green Hell". The BMW M Hospitality is home to the ever-growing M community from all over the world for three days.

A first highlight of the weekend is the top 30 qualifying on Friday from 19.50 clock. Four BMW M6 GT3 have their starting places for this individual time trial already safe. The race will then start on Saturday at 15.30 PM.

"The 24-hour race at the Nürburgring is the next big test for our new BMW M6 GT3 - and of course one of the absolute highlights of our GT season. That we would love to achieve a top result is beyond question. However, a success in the Eifel Marathon can not be planned. This is all the more true if you like us with a brand new car at the start. At the dress rehearsal in the VLN we saw that the BMW M6 GT3 seems to be competitive on paper. However, we can only speak for our own performance - not for what the competition has already shown or not shown. Either way: Our drivers are among the best of the best on the Nordschleife. In addition, we have two success-hungry teams in our ranks in Schubert Motorsport and ROWE Racing, plus a powerful private team in the SP9 class at Walkenhorst Motorsport. And of course, we're not just looking at the BMW M6 GT3 in the field, but also at the countless private BMW teams and riders fighting for top rankings in the various classes. In combination with the M Festival, which will take place at the same time as in previous years, the 24 Hours at the Nürburgring will once again be a real party for the fans of BMW Motorsport and BMW M this season - fitting for the year of the 100 anniversary of BMW. "

"I am already full of anticipation. We had a great preparation and are well prepared for the weekend at the Nürburgring. Most importantly, the car survives the 24 hours well. The race is just unique. The weather should not be ignored, because at the Nürburgring it follows its own laws. The particular challenge for the teams is having the right driver at the right time with the right set-up on track. "

"Our victory at the last VLN race naturally helps with the motivation of the team and also of us drivers. You go into the 24-hour race with a much better feeling. When you compete with BMW on the Nordschleife, you always want to win. There are many pitfalls on this track, you always have to be focused, also because of the slower vehicles. The whole flair is great, and the fans are unique. "

"It's going to be a great weekend. We have a good team together. I hope we have good weather and a lot of fun. The fans who come to the Nürburgring are real fans. Of course, they are supporters of BMW or other manufacturers, but they come primarily for the show and really want to see all the cars. That's so special. "

"It's always sensational to come to the 24-hour race. This is one of the absolute highlights of the year. It will be exciting to see how our new car beats and what the performance will ultimately be. We're actually in good spirits, but there's always so much to happen in the 24-hour race, so you have to have the luck on your side. Our driver pairings are very, very good. We are well prepared, as the third VLN race has shown. "

"The special thing about this race is, of course, the track. The Nordschleife is absolutely unique in the world. Together with the atmosphere and the great fans one is additionally motivated by her as a driver. The race will certainly not be easy, the competition is extremely strong. But we also have a good overall package. Of course, one should not forget that our car is new and always something can go wrong. We are super busy in terms of driver composition. "

"This is a really important race for BMW. Things are going well for the first year with the new car, and I'm looking forward to the first 24-hour race with the BMW M6 GT3 on the Nordschleife. Such a marathon has its own laws. To be in the lead, you have to finish first. I think we can figure something out. "

"The 24 hours at the Nürburgring are unique - and accordingly, as a driver, you are particularly motivated. With the IWSC we are traveling in North America on many unbelievable racetracks with a long tradition. But the Nordschleife plays in a league of its own. We are in a good position with the ROWE Racing team and the new BMW M6 GT3. Now we are very motivated to face the challenge 'Green Hell'. "

"The GT3 field is extremely close this year, but with the new BMW M6 GT3 we are well on the way. The 24-hour race is the biggest motorsports event in Germany. And the track is a challenge. For us at ROWE Racing, the race with BMW Motorsport as a new partner is definitely a very special event. "

"Last year I had my first start in the 24-hour race with BMW - and finished second. If we were a better place this time, I would not mind. The BMW M6 GT3 is a brand new car, but so far everything looks fine. But this race is hard to predict. This is a sprint over 24 hours. "

"I'm really looking forward to the race. The preparations are complete, I know the track, the car and my team. And for this race you need a good preparation. I've never raced an 24-hour race, which will be a big challenge for me. I will just do my job, enjoy it as much as I can, learn and bring all the experience I can gather for the future. "

—

Augusto Farfus (BR), Jesse Krohn (FI), Jörg Müller (DE), Marco Wittmann (DE)

Klaus Graf (DE), Richard Westbrook (UK), Nicky Catsburg (NL), Markus Palttala (FI)

Alexander Sims (GB), Philipp Eng (AT), Maxime Martin (BE), Dirk Werner (DE)

John Edwards (US), Jens Klingmann (DE), Lucas Luhr (DE), Martin Tomczyk (DE)

Matias Henkola (FI), Kazunori Yamauchi (JP), Max Sandritter (DE), George Richardson (GB)

Victor Bouveng (SE), Tom Blomqvist (UK), Christian Krognes (NO), Michele di Martino (DE

Cover picture: SB-Medien, Stefan Baldauf, Guido ten Brink