BMW is closely associated with this event, which was held for the first time in 1970. To date, the company has no fewer than 19 overall victories in the “Green Hell” to its name, making BMW by far the most successful brand in the history of this race. This year, countless teams will once again line up with BMW racing cars at the Nürburgring, and will be looking to write the next chapter in this unique success story. Taking centre stage is the BMW Z4 GT3, with which – among others – two teams supported by BMW Motorsport will be challenging for win number 20: BMW Team Schubert and BMW Team Vita4One.
Jörg Müller, Dirk Müller and Uwe Alzen will line up in the number 19 BMW Z4 GT3 for BMW Team Schubert. With almost 200 cars starting in the Eifel Mountains, the three BMW works drivers form one of the most experienced driving teams. Jörg Müller (2004, 2010) and Alzen (2000, 2010) have both triumphed twice on the Nürburgring-Nordschleife, while Dirk Müller also knows how it feels to climb onto the top step of the podium, having tasted victory in 2004. Claudia Hürtgen, Dominik Schwager, Nico Bastian and Dirk Adorf will alternate behind the wheel of the sister car, number 20. Adorf is also registered for the number 19 car.
BMW Team Vita4One lines up with the number 17 BMW Z4 GT3 and drivers Pedro Lamy, Mathias Lauda , Ricardo van der Ende and Frank Kechele. Car number 18 will be driven by BMW Motorsport test and development driver Marco Wittmann, Jens Klingmann and Richard Göransson. Like Adorf in BMW Team Schubert, Lamy is registered for both cars. The privately run Marc VDS Racing team completes the strong BMW contingent in the fiercely-competitive SP9 class, and will also send a BMW Z4 GT3 into action. Bas Leinders, Markus Palttala and Maxime Martin will share the driving duties. Michael Bartels’ team has already tasted success in the hard-fought Blancpain Endurance Series this season.
The official entry list for the 24-hour race includes a total of 49 BMW cars, with BMW drivers represented in nine classes. The largest contingents of the manufacturer’s racing cars can be found in the V4, V5 and V6 categories: eight BMW cars will be battling for the top positions in each of these classes. The diverse range of BMW vehicles lining up at this year’s race is equally as impressive. Just short of 20 different BMW models will be appearing in the “Green Hell”
If the races in the VLN Endurance Championship are any indication of how competitive the cars will be at 24-hour races, then BMW fans can look forward to an exciting weekend: at least one of the BMW Z4 GT3 cars run by BMW Team Schubert has made it onto the podium at each of the three races so far, with Jörg Müller, Dirk Müller and Dirk Adorf winning the season-opener. The BMW Z4 GT3 has also celebrated victories in other championships held in accordance with GT3 regulations, including the FIA GT1 World Championship, the Blancpain Endurance Series, the ADAC GT Masters, and national GT series like those held in Great Britain, Japan and Brazil.
BMW’s record on the previous 39 occasions the Nürburgring has hosted the 24-hour race is nothing short of impressive. As well as 19 overall victories – eight of which were one-twos – the brand also has 150 class wins to its name. The second-placed manufacturer in the all-time best list for class victories could manage no more than 53. The first running of the race back in 1970 was won by two BMW drivers: Clemens Schickentanz and Hans-Joachim Stuck in a BMW 2002 ti. In 1998, Andreas Bovensiepen, Marc Duez, Christian Menzel and Stuck claimed the first victory at this event in a car with a diesel engine – the BMW 320d. BMW most recently crossed the finish line in first place in 2010: Augusto Farfus, Jörg Müller, Uwe Alzen and Pedro Lamy guided their BMW M3 GT to overall victory in a dramatic finale. Last year, the quartet finished runners-up.
The BMW M3 has ten victories at the Nürburgring to its name. On the 40th anniversary of BMW M, it is the BMW Z4 GT3 that is the most promising candidate for the next win. A 4.4-litre eight-cylinder engine provides the necessary power. BMW Motorsport has systematically further developed the car for the 2012 season. The engine now achieves up to 9,000 rpm and has been given a new exhaust system. The rear wing is made of carbon fibre instead of aluminium and offers greater downforce and less air resistance at the same time.
The brake cooling on the front axle has also been optimised and a new rear axle differential is now in operation. The larger tank, with a capacity of 115 litres, gives the teams greater tactical leeway over the course of the 24-hour race. In the 2012 version of the BMW Z4 GT3, the pedal system can be moved and adjusted to suit the driver’s individual needs.
Source : BMW Motorsport