Björn Lellmann, Head of Customer Racing at BMW M Motorsport:
“The new season in the DTM and its supporting series began last weekend. Even though things did not go perfectly for the BMW M4 GT3 at Oschersleben, there was plenty for BMW M Motorsport to be pleased about as the new BMW M4 GT4 made a superb start to the season in the very competitive ADAC GT4 Germany, chalking up four podiums in two races for Walkenhorst Motorsport and Project 1. Century Motorsport celebrated more podium finishes in the British GT, this time in the GT4 class, and fifth place in the overall standings with the BMW M4 GT3 also delivered some important championship points. The previous weekend had all been about the Nürburgring 24-hour race, where privateer BMW M Motorsport teams celebrated a total of six class wins – including FK Performance Motorsport with the new BMW M4 GT4 in the hotly contested SP10 category. At the same time, the car also triumphed in GT4 America, while the BMW M2 CS Racing was victorious in the TC America. In the Italian GT Championship, Ceccato Racing reached the podium for BMW M Motorsport. Another fantastic set of results that I am delighted with. Congratulations to all the teams and drivers!”
--
ADAC GT4 Germany: Four podiums for BMW M4 GT4 teams.
The start of the ADAC GT4 Germany season also marked the debut of the new BMW M4 GT4 in the DTM support programme – and it was a great success. At Oschersleben (GER), the car immediately claimed four podium finishes in the hotly contested race series. Three of these went to Walkenhorst Motorsport. In the first race on Saturday, Sami-Matti Trogen (FIN) and Enzo Joulié (FRA) finished second, ahead of their Walkenhorst team-mates Nico Hantke (GER) and Mex Jansen (NED). Second place in Sunday’s race went to the reigning BMW M2 Cup champion Maxime Oosten (NED) and Michal Makes (CZE) from the Project 1 team. Hantke and Jansen finished in third position once more. The other BMW M Motorsport teams, Hofor Racing by Bonk Motorsport and FK Performance Motorsport, both recorded top-five and top-ten results. The BMW M4 GT4 claimed second, third, fourth and fifth positions on Sunday.
--
BMW M2 Cup: Double win for Denny Berndt.
The first races of the season in the BMW M2 Cup also took place at Oschersleben (GER). The brand trophy features a competitive 16-car field but Denny Berndt (GER) proved unbeatable on both days, securing two wins in the #8 BMW M2 CS Racing. On Saturday, he was followed by Max Rosam (GER) and Leyton Fourie (RSA) in second and third positions. Rosam finished second again on Sunday, while third place went to Bart Horsten (AUS). The BMW M2 Cup is part of the support programme on six out of eight DTM race weekends. The next stop is the Norisring (GER).
--
British GT Championship: Century Motorsport on the GT4 podium.
The British GT Championship race weekend at Donington Park (GBR) ended with fifth place in the overall standings for BMW M works drivers Dan Harper and Darren Leung (both GBR). The Century Motorsport duo followed victory at Silverstone with more valuable points in the overall standings. However, it was the GT4 crews who secured the spots on the podium this time. After two hours of racing, Carl Cavers and Lewis Plato (both GBR) claimed third place in the GT4 overall standings, and second place in the Pro-Am category, in the #22 BMW M4 GT4. Third position in the Pro-Am standings went to Michael Johntson and Chris Salkeld (both GBR) in the team’s #14 car. This equated to fifth position in the GT4 overall ranking. Harper and Leung are in third place in the drivers’ standings with 68.5 points.
--
GT World Challenge America: Third round of the season at the COTA in Austin.
The third round of the season in the Fanatec GT World Challenge America powered by AWS took place at the Circuit Of The Americas near Austin (USA). The event featured BimmerWorld and ST Racing, each competing with one BMW M4 GT3.
In the Pro class, Chandler Hull and Bill Auberlen (both USA) claimed fourth place in the second race in the BimmerWorld #94 BMW M4 GT3. They retired early from race one. The ST Racing #38 BMW M4 GT3 was competing in the Pro-Am class. Samantha Tan (CAN) and BMW M works driver John Edwards (USA) finished the two races in eleventh and fifth places in their class.
--
GT4 / GT / TC America: Wins and podiums for the BMW racers in Texas.
The GT4 America, the GT America and the TC America also took place at COTA near Austin (USA) and BMW racers enjoyed more success in the various championships.
In the #51 BMW M4 GT4 from Auto Technic Racing, John Dubets and Zac Anderson (both USA) claimed the overall win and victory in the Silver class in the first of the two GT4 America races. Chandler Hull and Jon Miller (both USA) finished third in the #88 BMW M4 GT4 from STR38 Motorsport to reach the overall and Silver podiums. Kevin Boehm and Kenton Koch (both USA) were right behind them in the #92 BMW M4 GT4 from Random Vandals Racing. Rooster Hall Racing secured second place in the Pro-Am class with the #44 car, driven by Johan Schwartz and Colin Garrett (both USA). All three podium spots in the Am class went to the BMW M4 GT4. STR38 Motorsport claimed victory with Chris Allen and Robert Mau (both USA) in the #438 car, ahead of James Clay and Charlie Postins (both USA) from Team BimmerWorld and Auto Technic Racing with Satakal Khalsa and Rob Walker (both USA).
In the second GT4 America race, Dubets and Anderson claimed third place overall and second in the Silver standings. James Walker Junior and Tyler McQuarrie (both USA) crossed the line in fourth position overall in the #82 BimmerWorld BMW M4 GT4 to claim second in the Pro-Am standings. The BMW M4 GT4s secured a one-two result this time in the Am standings: Clay and Postins won ahead of Allen and Mau. John Roberts (USA) was racing in the GT America with the BMW M4 GT4 from Fast Track Racing. He finished ninth and eighth in the GT4 class.
In the two TC America races, BMW drivers claimed five out of a possible six podium spots with the BMW M2 CS Racing. In race one, Lucas Catania (USA) from the Rigid Speed Company team won ahead of Colin Garrett (USA) from Rooster Hall Racing and Maddie Aust (USA) from the Fast Track Racing team. Garrett won race two, with Aust in second.
--
Italian GT Championship: Podium and class win for Ceccato Racing.
At the opening event in the Italian GT Championship Endurance Cup, the Ceccato Racing Team claimed a podium and a class win with the #7 BMW M4 GT3. Stefano Comandini, Marco Cassarà (both ITA) and Alfred Nilsson (SWE) defied the rain during the two-hour race at Pergusa (ITA), crossing the finishing line in third place. That also equated to victory in the Pro-Am class.
--
BMW M2 CS Racing Cup Benelux: Race weekend at Spielberg.
The BMW M2 CS Racing Cup Benelux visited the Red Bull Ring (AUT) on 21st/22nd May. Senna van Soelen (NED) and Leyton Fourie (RSA) won the first race on Saturday, ahead of Lorenzo van Riet and the duo Sen Roodeburg/Gianni van der Craats (all NED). In the second race, van Soelen and Fourie completed their double win and van Riet repeated his second-place finish. Dirk Warmerdam and Dante Rappange (both NED) secured the third spot on the podium.
--
BTCC: Hill and Turkington on the podium in Snetterton.
While the 24-hour race was taking place at the Nürburgring (GER), the British Touring Car Championship (BTCC) was at Snetterton (GBR). Jake Hill and Colin Turkington (both GBR) each claimed two podium finishes in the BMW 330e M Sport. In both races, Hill claimed second place for the Laser Tools Racing with MB Motorsport team. Turkington finished third in those races for Team BMW. Adam Morgan and Stephen Jelley (both GBR) crossed the line in fifth and sixth positions in races one and two. The third and final race saw all four BMW drivers in the top ten, with Jelley the best of the bunch in sixth place.
FAQs
How old is BMW Motorsport? ›
BMW M GmbH was founded in 1972 as BMW Motorsport GmbH and is a BMW AG subsidiary. BMW M produces high-performance and particularly sporty BMW models.
Is BMW a motorsport? ›BMW M Motorsport (formerly BMW Motorsport) is the division of BMW responsible for motorsport-related activities, including works-run competition programmes in touring car racing, sports car racing, motorcycle racing and Formula E.
What does the M mean on BMW? ›The “M” in the BMW M Series stands for “Motorsport”, and the M Series was originally created to facilitate BMW's racing program. Over time, the BMW M program began to supplement their vehicle lineup with modified vehicle models, which are now available to the general public.
What is the oldest BMW car in the world? ›The first BMW small car was built under licence from the Austin Motor Company in 1929, but was superseded by the company's own designs in 1932.
What is the most successful BMW race car? ›Having won more road races than any other BMW model in history, the E30 M3 is the world's most successful BMW road race car.
How much is a BMW Motorsport? ›The BMW M Models is available from $121,700 to $303,900 for the 2023 range of models in Convertible, Coupe, Sedan and Wagon body types.
Is A BMW A supercar? ›Back in 1978, however, BMW made a supercar that was full of soul, luxury, and speed. The BMW M1 is what comes to mind when the topic of “great BMW supercars” enters the conversation, and with the changing automotive landscape, it may be the only car that comes to mind.
What do the 3 stripes on a BMW mean? ›The legendary logo used since 1978, featuring the three stripes leaning against the M, is intended to emphasize the speed and dynamism of the BMW M series. Conceived by design studio Italdesign under the direction of Giorgio Giugiaro, it is also known as the “Giugiaro M”.
Is M Sport package worth it? ›Is the M Sport package worth it? If you're looking for an affordable way to add some extra athleticism to your BMW, then the M Sport package is absolutely worth it. The improved driving dynamics and sleeker looks will take your experience to a whole new level.
Who makes engines for BMW? ›Force Motors produces high performance and premium quality engines and axles for Mercedes Benz India and BMW-India.
What is the world's all time best selling car? ›
Toyota Corolla (50 Million+ units sold by 2021)
Even more impressive is that the Corolla became the world's best-selling car by 1974, a mere eight years after its introduction to the market.
Who owns BMW? The automaker is owned by the BMW Group and has its headquarters in Munich, Germany. The BMW Group also owns other well-known brands, including Mini and Rolls-Royce.
When did BMW Motorsports begin? ›BMW M Motorsport traces its legacy back a full fifty years to 1972. Since then, BMW models have participated in Touring and GT racing at all levels of competition.
What year did BMW Motorsports begin? ›| Current logo introduced in March 2020 | |
|---|---|
| Formerly | BMW Motorsport GmbH (1972–1993) |
| Industry | Automotive |
| Founded | 1972 |
| Headquarters | Munich, Germany |
Brooklands Motor Racing Circuit, built it 1907, is the first purpose-built motor racing circuit in the world. It predates other equally well-known international circuits, such as the Indianapolis Motor Speedway and Monza. By the 1930s Brooklands had attained universal recognition as the home of British motor sport.
How long has BMW been racing? ›Since the 1962 introduction of the BMW New Class in 1961, BMW has become one of the most successful marques in touring car racing.
What is the fastest BMW car? ›In fact, the current M Series also boasts the title of having the fastest BMW — the BMW M8 Competition Coupe: 2023 M2 Coupe: 0-60 mph in 3.9 seconds. 2023 M3 Competition xDrive Sedan: 0-60 mph in 3.4 seconds. 2023 M4 Competition xDrive Coupe: 0-60 mph in 3.4 seconds.
What is the difference between M Sport and M Performance? ›The M Performance models within the BMW range are there to bridge the gap between the M and Sport models, and as such, their interior and exterior styling are very similar to the M Sport models, however, there are more powerful engines, stronger brakes, specifically tuned suspension systems and sportier exhaust notes, ...
What is the oldest motorsports race in America? ›The first American automobile race is generally held to be the Thanksgiving Day Chicago Times-Herald race of November 28, 1895. Press coverage of the event first aroused significant American interest in the automobile.
What is the most successful BMW racing car? ›BMW E30 M3 – 1987
A direct descendant of the 2002, the E30 M3 is BMW's most successful racing car, with a huge 18 titles to its name, across 10 rally and touring championships.
What is the most successful touring race car? ›
Ford Mustang
The Blue Oval's iconic pony car has been thrashing the competition in touring car races around the globe for decades.
The first car to be sold with an M badge was the BMW M1, designed by Paul Bracq with final touches by legendary designer Giorgetto Giugaro. Launched at the Paris Motor Show in 1978, the mid-engined coupé featured a 277bhp six-cylinder engine taken from the 3.0 CSL and was capable of 165mph.
What is the deadliest motorsport? ›- The Dakar Rally. The Dakar Rally has been one of the most notorious motorsport races since its inception in 1978. ...
- Isle of Man TT. ...
- The Baja 1000. ...
- 24 Hours of Le Mans. ...
- Pikes Peak International Hill Climb. ...
- The Erzberg Rodeo. ...
- Nürburgring 24 Hours. ...
- The Rainforest Challenge.
NASCAR is the 2nd most popular motorsport series in the world and the top-watched motorsport series in the United States of America. The organization, specializing in stock car racing, was founded in the late 1940s down in Daytona Beach, Fla.
What is the most popular motorsport in America? ›You've probably heard of it as NASCAR and it's been America's most popular racing series since it became a thing in 1948.
What race buys BMW? ›But the result sound significant: BMW preference among African Americans is 14 percentage points higher than with the U.S. industry average of 23%. The study finds that different sets of buyers have different priorities when it comes to buying a new vehicle.
What is the top speed of BMW Motorsport? ›Further, BMW has even updated its WSBK-spec M 1000 RR superbike with more slippery aerodynamics and increased downforce, enabling it to reach a higher 314kph top speed.
Has BMW ever made a supercar? ›9 The M1 Is BMW's First Mid-Engined Supercar
This made it an extremely desirable trait that only cements the M1 further into the history books. Even after 2014, when BMW introduced the mid-engined hybrid i8, there are those that look back to the M1 as the only true mid-engined BMW.