Björn Lellmann, Head of Customer Racing at BMW M Motorsport:
“We have experienced two exciting and successful weeks with
fantastic results for BMW M Motorsport teams around the globe. The
appearance of our BMW M3 Touring 24H at Goodwood was, of course, a
spectacular highlight. I am delighted with the pole position and
podium finish for Paul Miller Racing in Canada, as well as the podium
for Turner Motorsport during the IMSA weekend. Additional podium
finishes in GT World Challenge Asia and the ADAC GT Masters complete
the outstanding results for the BMW M4 GT3 EVO. Added to that were the
fantastic weekend for Casals Motorsport in Vallelunga and the class
victory for Hofor Racing by Bonk Motorsport at the Nürburgring with
the BMW M4 GT4 EVO. Many thanks to all BMW M Motorsport teams. We now
carry this momentum into the coming weeks as we aim for more victories
and podium finishes together with our strong customer teams.”
—
IMSA Series (10–12 July): Verhagen and De Phillippi on the podium.
BMW M works drivers Neil Verhagen and Connor De Phillippi (both USA)
secured a podium finish during the sixth race weekend of the IMSA
WeatherTech SportsCar Championship at Canadian Tire Motorsport Park
(CAN). The American duo from Paul Miller Racing finished third in the
GTD PRO class in the #1 BMW M4 GT3 EVO after two hours and 40 minutes
of racing. With their third podium in six races, Verhagen and De
Phillippi extended their championship lead.
On Saturday, Verhagen claimed the second pole position of his IMSA
career – at the very same venue where he celebrated his maiden pole a
year earlier. “The Paul Miller Racing team gave me an outstanding car
today,” said the 25-year-old after qualifying. “I can’t thank them
enough. Both of my poles have come here at Mosport, which is pretty
funny. I guess this is my track.”
In the GTD class, fellow BMW M works driver Robby Foley teamed up
with Patrick Gallagher (both USA) to finish third in the #96 BMW M4
GT3 EVO for Turner Motorsport, completing a double podium for BMW M
Motorsport at Canadian Tire Motorsport Park. The GTP class was not
part of the event in Canada.
In the IMSA Michelin Pilot Challenge, Austin Krainz (USA) and Steven
McAleer (GBR) finished second in the two-hour race at Canadian Tire
Motorsport Park in the #27 BMW M4 GT4 EVO for AutoTechnic Racing.
Result
of the IMSA WeaterTech SportsCar Championship.
Result
of the IMSA Michelin Pilot Challenge.
—
Goodwood Festival of Speed (9–12 July): BMW M3 Touring 24H
charges up the hill.
The BMW M3 Touring 24H once again underlined its cult status at the
legendary Goodwood Festival of Speed (GBR). The car, which originated
as an April Fool’s joke before sensationally finishing fourth overall
and winning its class at the Nürburgring 24 Hours (GER), also thrilled
British motorsport fans. BMW M works driver Jordan Pepper (RSA) took
part in the iconic hillclimb with the BMW M3 Touring 24H. Showcasing
the car’s impressive performance, he recorded a time of 46.54 seconds,
the fifth-fastest overall, while also winning his class.
Jordan Pepper: “It was my first time at Goodwood and
what an incredible event it was. I am very grateful to have been a
part of it, the atmosphere was great from the start to the end. It was
a very special moment to take the BMW M3 Touring 24H up the hill, push
this incredible car to its absolute limits and put on a good show for
everyone. It was a real privilege to showcase what an incredible car
our BMW M3 Touring 24H is – and what an icon it has become. Our car
was definitely one of the fan favourites, we had so much attention
around it. It is a car that has already cemented itself in endurance
racing history. It is telling an incredible story with so much love
and support from everyone. It was a pleasure to be able to share that
at Goodwood with the incredible people from BMW M Motorsport. Fighting
for an overall podium and winning our class as well in the time
shootout was very cool and super fun. A huge thanks to BMW M
Motorsport for bringing me along. I hope I will be back at Goodwood
and that it won’t have been the last time I drive the BMW M3 Touring 24H.”
—
GT World Challenge Asia (10–12 July): Hesse and Ruan score
double podium at Fuji.
BMW M works driver Max Hesse (GER) and teammate Cunfan Ruan (CHN)
celebrated a double podium at Fuji (JAP). The KRC duo finished third
in the Pro-Am class in the #89 BMW M4 GT3 EVO in both Saturday’s and
Sunday’s races. As the second race at Fuji International Speedway was
dominated by the Pro-Am entries, third in class also meant third
overall and a place on the overall podium.
In the Silver-Am class, Maxime Oosten (NED) and Brian Lee (TPE)
proved unbeatable at the foot of Mount Fuji. The GTO with KRC duo won
their class in the #10 BMW M4 GT3 EVO on both Saturday and Sunday.
PLUS with BMW M Team Studie finished eighth and tenth in the Pro-Am
class with the #5 BMW M4 GT3 EVO, featuring the distinctive livery
inspired by “BLEACH”, one of the world’s most successful animated TV series.
—
M News compact: More victories and podium finishes.
GT4 Italy Series (4–5 July): Giacomo Maman and
Gustavo Sandrucci (both ITA) dominated the fifth round of the GT4
Italy Series. The Casals Motorsport duo claimed victory in both races
with the #16 BMW M4 GT4 EVO. Their teammates Luca Esposito and
Sebastian Gavazza (both ITA) completed a double podium for the team on
Sunday by finishing third, while Promodrive had already secured third
place on Saturday in the #27 BMW M4 GT4 EVO.
—
24H Series (3–5 July): At the 12H Nürburgring (GER),
Michael Bonk, Claudia Hürtgen, Elia Weiss (all GER) and Martin Kroll
(SUI) of Hofor Racing by Bonk Motorsport claimed victory in the GT4 class.
—
ADAC GT Masters (10–12 July): At the fourth round of
the ADAC GT Masters season at the Nürburgring (GER), Leyton Fourie
(RSA) and Tim Zimmermann (GER) finished on the podium in the opening
race. Driving the #11 BMW M4 GT3 EVO for FK Performance Motorsport,
they claimed third place. With two rounds remaining, the German-South
African pairing trails the championship leaders by just one point.
—
International GT Open (3–5 July): At the
International GT Open on the Hungaroring (HUN), Antal Zsigo (HUN) and
Csaba Walter (SVK) secured third place in the Pro-Am class in Race 2
with the #500 BMW M4 GT3 EVO for Gamota Racing.