BMW M Motorsport News, 8th October 2024.

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

“What an incredible weekend it has been for us and our BMW M Motorsport teams! Title win in the Intercontinental GT Challenge for Charles Weerts. Pro-Am title in the GT World Challenge America for Turner Motorsport. Title sweep for BMW Italia Ceccato Racing in the Italian GT Championship. In addition, driver and manufacturer titles in the BTCC as well as class victories at Indianapolis. I am almost at a loss for words to honour these triumphs. Congratulations to all the champions, and a big thank you to all the teams, drivers, and BMW M Motorsport staff who make weekends like this possible through their skill and dedication. I am incredibly proud!”

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Italian GT Championship: Title wins for Jens Klingmann and Ceccato Racing.

BMW Italia Ceccato Racing achieved a total triumph at the season finale of the Italian GT Sprint Championship at Monza (ITA). The team, led by team principal Roberto Ravaglia, dominated the last two races with their two BMW M4 GT3s, earning themselves the titles in both the overall and the Pro-Am classifications. Jens Klingmann (GER) is the new and reigning driver champion. The BMW M works driver, alongside Raffaele Marciello (SUI) in the #7 BMW M4 GT3, won both races at Monza, securing the repeat of his title won in 2023. In the second race, even a 15-second handicap time penalty during the pit stop couldn't stop the duo. On both Saturday and Sunday, they crossed the finish line with a lead of around four seconds. During the sprint season, Klingmann shared the cockpit twice with Max Hesse (GER) and due to scheduling conflicts, once each with Jake Dennis (GBR) and Raffaele Marciello.

“It was an incredible season! Our goal was to defend the title from last year, which we achieved with our victory on Saturday,” said Klingmann. “Many thanks to BMW Italia and Ceccato Racing, who laid the foundation for this success with their commitment. A special thank you goes to my three BMW M works driver colleagues who supported me this season: Max Hesse, Jake Dennis, and Raffaele Marciello. It's unusual to have three different drivers at my side over four race events, but they all did a perfect job, the team chemistry was always right, and ultimately they helped me and the entire team to win the title again. I am very proud of that.”

The Pro-Am classification also saw great celebrations. Federico Malvestiti (ITA) and Pedro Ebrahim (BRA) celebrated two class victories at Monza with their #8 BMW M4 GT3, securing the title as well. On Sunday, the duo even made it to the overall podium, finishing third.

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GT / GT4 / TC America: Cheers and drama at Indianapolis.

During the Indianapolis 8 Hour (USA), where BMW M works driver Charles Weerts (BEL) with Team WRT celebrated the race win and driver's title in the Intercontinental GT Challenge, and Robby Foley, Justin Rothberg (both USA), and Turner Motorsport clinched the Pro-Am title in the Fanatec GT World Challenge America powered by AWS, the GT America, GT4 America, and TC America also held their season finals.

In GT America, Justin Rothberg had an outstanding weekend. In addition to his title win in the GT World Challenge, he celebrated victory in both GT America races in his #29 BMW M4 GT3. The Turner Motorsport youngster had a significant lead over second-placed Johnny O’Connell (USA, Audi) and thus moved up to within one point of O’Connell in the driver standings. Although it wasn't quite enough for a second title in one weekend, Rothberg looks back on an outstanding SRO season in North America.

In GT4 America, BMW M Motorsport teams achieved class victories but narrowly missed out on possible title wins. In the weekend's second race, Colin Garrett and Zac Anderson (both USA) in the #51 BMW M4 GT4 of AutoTechnic Racing finished third overall, clinching the Silver Class win. In the Am Class, James Clay and Charlie Postins (both USA) triumphed in the #36 BMW M4 GT4 of BimmerWorld.

The entire weekend was dramatic for Random Vandals Racing. After finishing second in the first race, Kevin Boehm and Kenton Koch (both USA) in their #97 BMW M4 GT4 had a shot at the title in the Silver Class, but an unprovoked accident with two cars from other classes dashed their hopes. The same happened to Kris Wilson (USA) in the Am Class. He lost the potential title in the last lap of the second race when his teammate Michael Kanisczak (USA), leading in the #98 BMW M4 GT4, lost power a few turns from the end and fell back to third place, costing the decisive points in the title fight. In the Pro Am class, the #94 BMW M4 GT4 of the team was leading until shortly before the end but then retired with technical issues.

In TC America, Chris Walsh (USA) and his Carrus Callas Raceteam had already been crowned champions. At the season finale, Walsh added two second-places in his #104 BMW M2 CS Racing, celebrating on the podium twice more. Cameron Steller (USA) finished third in both races in the #23 BMW M2 CS Racing of Fast Track Racing.

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BTCC: Title wins for Jake Hill and BMW.

The new champion of the British Touring Car Championship (BTCC) is Jake Hill (GBR). In a thrilling finale at Brands Hatch (GBR), the Laser Tools Racing with MB Motorsport driver prevailed in the very last race of the season, securing the driver's crown with an eight-point lead. Hill clinched his eighth season victory in race one of the final weekend in the #24 BMW 330e M Sport and added two second places, giving him the decisive edge. “I don’t know what to say. I’m just so overwhelmed,” said Hill. “I am the 2024 British Touring Car Champion and I still can’t believe I get to say that. This is the best day ever, and BMW are Manufacturers’ Champions so it’s an even better best day ever. I don’t know how to put it into words other than to say that this team are the best team ever.”

BMW ultimately secured the manufacturer's title with a 23-point lead. Colin Turkington (GBR) contributed significantly to this success. He secured pole position at Brands Hatch in the #20 BMW 330e M Sport and then finished second and third in the first two races, each time on the podium. In the third race, he was fifth. Adam Morgan (GBR) achieved his best result of the weekend with a tenth place in the third race.

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GT4 France: Podium at the season finale.

The GT4 France season ended last weekend with two races at the Circuit Paul Ricard in Le Castellet (FRA). In the first of the two races, the VSF Sports - Amplitude automobiles team celebrated a podium in the Am Class. Gregory Curson Faessel and Florian Teillais (both FRA) finished third in the #41 BMW M4 GT4.