BMW M Motorsport News, 20th March 2023

New BMW M4 GT4 records first wins in North America and Europe.

The new BMW M4 GT4 did not take long to start building on the successes of its predecessor. In the hands of BMW M Motorsport teams and competing since the start of the season, t has recorded some impressive initial results in recent weeks. These kicked off with first place for Stephen Cameron Racing in the GSX class at the North American IMSA VP Racing Sportscar Challenge on 12th March in Sebring (USA). Barely a week later, Turner Motorsport chalked up a double success in the IMSA Michelin Pilot Challenge at the same location. Last Saturday, the BMW M4 GT4 also celebrated a perfect start on the Nürburgring Nordschleife (GER). The FK Performance Motorsport team prevailed over a strong field to win the SP10 class in the Nürburgring Endurance Series (NLS).

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Interview with Björn Lellmann, Head of Customer Racing at BMW M Motorsport.

Mr. Lellmann, how satisfied are you with the first weeks of racing for the new BMW M4 GT4?

Björn Lellmann: “We are more than satisfied. We are delighted that our customer teams have been able to celebrate victories in North America and Europe after such a short time. These were preceded by podiums for Šenkýř Motorsport in the GT Winter Series and for Simpson Motorsport and Century Motorsport at the 24 Hours of Dubai.”

What are customers saying about the new BMW M4 GT4?

Lellmann: “The feedback has been consistently positive. Our objective during development of the new BMW M4 GT4 was to make it more driveable for amateurs. It is clear that we have achieved this. With regard to the teams, ease of maintenance was also up there on our to-do list. It should be much easier to repair things without having to contact a BMW M Motorsport engineer for support each time. We have also received very good feedback from the teams about this. However, you also have to say that we still have some challenges to overcome with the car. That is totally normal with a new car and we are confident that we will manage it.”

Where will we be seeing the new BMW M4 GT4 this season?

Lellmann: “In 2023, the focus will be on Europe and North America. However, our clear objective is to add more customers for the BMW M4 GT4 in Asia. These successes provide the most compelling arguments for that.”

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NLS: overall victory and class wins for BMW M Motorsport teams.

Last Saturday’s season-opener in the Nürburgring Endurance Series (NLS) was a complete success from the point of view of BMW M Motorsport. In addition to the overall victory for the #99 BMW M4 GT3 from ROWE Racing, driven by Maxime Martin and Dries Vanthoor (BEL), and the #187 BMW M4 GT4 from FK Performance Motorsport topping the SP10 category, four more class wins were chalked up. The Adrenalin Motorsport Team Motec claimed the top step on the podium in the BMW M240i and VT2-R+4WD classes – once each with the BMW M240i Racing and the BMW 330i. In the BMW M2 CS class, Schubert Motorsport secured first place with the BMW M2 CS Racing. Juha Miettinen (FIN) and Dan Berghult (SWE) won the V4 category in their BMW 325i.

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24h Nürburgring: support for Walkenhorst Motorsport from BMW M works drivers.

BMW M works driver Jesse Krohn (FIN) will support the Walkenhorst Motorsport team in the 24-hour race at the Nürburgring (GER). The Finnish driver has already raced for the team from Melle (GER) and is looking forward to returning. “We have many fantastic shared memories and successes,” says Krohn. “I raced for Walkenhorst Motorsport when I was starting out as a BMW M works driver and I could not be happier that I now have the chance to support the team at the biggest GT racing highlight of the year.” Besides Krohn, other BMW M works drivers are also scheduled to appear for Walkenhorst Motorsport.

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12h Sepang: class win for the BMW M4 GT3.

In the endurance race at the Sepang International Circuit (MAS), shortened to eight hours from the original twelve, the AAI Motorsports team celebrated victory in the GT3 Am class with the BMW M4 GT3. Betty Chen (TPE), Piti Bhirombhakdi and Tanart Sathienthirakul (both THA) shared driving duties in the #91 car. In the battle for overall victory, the two BMW M works drivers Jens Klingmann (GER) and Jesse Krohn (FIN) were aiming to support the team in the #15 BMW M4 GT3. Together with Chun Hua Chen (TPE), they started the race from second place but had to retire early due to a technical defect.

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BMW M2 Cup confirms 2023 race calendar.

This year, the BMW M2 Cup will again host six races as part of the DTM programme, providing young drivers with the chance to take the next big step in their motor racing careers. Before the start of the third season at Oschersleben (GER) in late May, the talented young drivers had the opportunity to secure a seat at the wheel of the BMW M2 CS Racing in shoot-outs at the start of March. The competing drivers also completed comprehensive preparations for the tasks ahead, both in the cockpit and on the track. More information about participation and registration is available at www.bmwm2cup.com.  

Race calendar 2023:
26.05-28.05: Oschersleben (GER)
07.07-09.07: Norisring (GER)
04.08-06.08: Nürburgring (GER)
18.08-20.08: Lausitzring (GER)
08.09-10.09: Sachsenring (GER)
22.09-24.09: Red Bull Ring (AUT)

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GT Winter Series: successful season for Schubert Motorsport.

Schubert Motorsport, BMW M works drivers Dan Harper and Darren Leung (both GBR) have completed a successful season together in the GT Winter Series. In particular, the race weekend in Navarra (ESP) in early March went perfectly, with three wins in three races for the #20 BMW M4 GT3. At the season finale one week later in Barcelona (ESP), the team and drivers just missed out on a podium finish. Šenkýř Motorsport returned to the race series for the finale with the new BMW M4 GT4, securing third place in the GT4 class in the first sprint race. The Promotion Motorsport team dominated both rounds in Spain in the BMW M2 CS Racing Winter Cup.

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Sim Racing: podium for BMW M Team BS+COMPETITION.

At the start of last week, the third round of the virtual race series ESL R1 took place on the Rennsport sim racing platform, boasting a top-quality field. Following a two-race season-opener at the Esports event “Intel Extreme Masters” in Katowice, Poland, this race took place online at the virtual Nürburgring. Compared to the first two races, the BMW M Team BS+COMPETITION delivered a significantly improved performance with the BMW M4 GT3. Nils Naujoks (GER) even made it into the finale, finishing second to reach the podium. Two more drivers from the official BMW M Motorsport works team also reached the semi-final. Victory went to the BMW SIM Racing Team Redline, which was also competing in the virtual BMW M4 GT3.