The list of teams and drivers turning to the BMW Z4 GT3 in their quest for victories and points in 2012 just keeps on growing: this season, Team BMW Italia will line up with two cars in the Italian GT Championship. Outings are also planned in the Blancpain Endurance Series, including the 24-hour race at Spa-Francorchamps (BE), and other series run in accordance with the GT3 regulations.
The ROAL Motorsport team is responsible for running the BMW Z4 GT3 cars. As well as launching its new GT programme, Team Principal Roberto Ravaglia’s (IT) crew will also send two BMW 320 TC cars into action in the FIA World Touring Car Championship (WTCC) again. They will be driven by Tom Coronel (NL) and Alberto Cerqui (IT). Last year, the experienced Coronel claimed one World Championship race victory in Suzuka (JP) and finished the season in fourth place overall.
Thomas Biagi (IT) and Stefano Colombo (IT) have already been confirmed as GT drivers, the same goes for Michela Cerruti (IT). The rest of the driving line-up at Team BMW Italia is set to be announced in the coming weeks. As a double FIA GT champion, Biagi is one of the most experienced GT drivers around and won the Italian Superstars Series for Team BMW Italia in 2010.
“It is fantastic that the BMW Z4 GT3 will also be racing in Italy this season,” said BMW Motorsport Director Jens Marquardt. “ROAL Motorsport has successfully flown the flag for BMW in recent years, and has tasted success in the Superstars Series and the World Touring Car Championship. I am certain that Roberto Ravaglia’s team, with the support of BMW Italy, will also cause a stir on the GT circuit.”
“We have been considering entering the GT scene with the BMW Z4 GT3 for a long time,” said Ravaglia, who won both the 1987 World Touring Car Championship and the 1989 DTM as a BMW driver. “We are delighted it’s now going to happen. I am certain that we will immediately be competitive with this car. At the same time, we obviously also want to be successful in the World Touring Car Championship with the BMW 320 TC. An exciting season lies ahead for our team.”
Source : BMW Motorsport