Björn Lellmann, who is the Head of Customer Racing at BMW M Motorsport, shared how the new season in the DTM and associated series began last weekend. Although the BMW M4 GT3 did not perform perfectly at Oschersleben, BMW M Motorsport had many things to be happy about. The all-new BMW M4 GT4 performed extremely well in the very competitive ADAC GT4 Germany, earning four podiums in just two races for Walkenhorst Motorsport and Project 1. In the British GT, Century Motorsport achieved more podium finishes in the GT4 class, and earned fifth place in the overall standings with the BMW M4 GT3, and likewise, grabbing valuable championship points. A week before, privateer BMW M Motorsport teams earned a total of six class wins in the Nürburgring 24-hour race, included the new BMW M4 GT4 in the hotly contested SP10 category. The BMW M2 CS Racing was likewise triumphant in the TC America. In the Italian GT Championship, Ceccato Racing reached the podium for BMW M Motorsport. Lellmann was ecstatic with these stupendous results and congratulated all the teams and drivers.
In the ADAC GT4 Germany series hosted at Oschersleben, the new BMW M4 GT4 jumped onto the scene with a bang, capturing four podium finishes. Three of these podium places belonged to Walkenhorst Motorsport. In the first race that took place on Saturday, Sami-Matti Trogen (FIN) and Enzo Joulié (FRA) landed second place. They were followed by their team-mates Nico Hantke (GER) and Mex Jansen (NED). The BMW M4 GT4 earned second place in Sunday’s race. The Project 1 team succeeded in capturing second place with the reigning BMW M2 Cup champion, Maxime Oosten (NED) and Michal Makes (CZE). Walkenhorst Motorsport’s Hantke and Jansen obtained third place once again. The BMW M4 GT4 from Hofor Racing by Bonk Motorsport and FK Performance Motorsport both secured top-five and top-ten positions. The Sunday race marked the BMW M4 GT4 earning second, third, fourth, and fifth positions.
The BMW M2 Cup also had the commencement of its season at Oschersleben, showcasing a competitive 16-car field. However, Denny Berndt (GER) grabbed first place in both the races and secured two wins in the BMW M2 CS Racing. Max Rosam (GER) and Leyton Fourie (RSA) placed in second and third positions on Saturday, while Rosam took second place again on Sunday and Bart Horsten (AUS) secured third place. The BMW M2 Cup will be part of the support programme for six out of the eight DTM race weekends, with the upcoming race weekend scheduled for the Norisring (GER).
At the British GT Championship race weekend held at Donington Park (GBR), BMW M works drivers Dan Harper and Darren Leung (both GBR)’s fifth place finish in the overall standings is notable, following their victory at Silverstone. In the GT4 category, Carl Cavers and Lewis Plato (both GBR) gained third place and second place in the Pro-Am category in the BMW M4 GT4 with number #22. The team’s #14 BMW M4 GT4 driven by Michael Johntson and Chris Salkeld (both GBR) obtained third position in the Pro-Am standings. In contrast, Harper and Leung sit in third place in the drivers’ standings with 68.5 points.
In the third round of the season in the Fanatec GT World Challenge America powered by AWS that was held at the Circuit Of The Americas near Austin (USA), BimmerWorld and ST Racing was present with one BMW M4 GT3 each. In the Pro class, Chandler Hull and Bill Auberlen (both USA) placed fourth in the BimmerWorld #94 BMW M4 GT3 at the circuit. In the Pro-Am class, Samantha Tan (CAN) and BMW M works driver John Edwards (USA) secured the fifth place in the ST Racing #38 BMW M4 GT3.
BimmerWorld BMW M4 GT4 #51 from Auto Technic Racing driven by John Dubets and Zac Anderson (both USA) earned the overall win and victory in the Silver class in the first of two GT4 America races. In the second race, they landed third place overall and second in the Silver standings. The BMW M4 GT4s obtained a one-two result in the Am standings. Rooster Hall Racing earned second place in the Pro-Am class. The BMW drivers earned five out of six podium positions in the two TC America races.
In the Italian GT Championship Endurance Cup held at Pergusa (ITA), the Ceccato Racing team secured third place and won the Pro-Am class with the #7 BMW M4 GT3 driven by Stefano Comandini, Marco Cassarà (both ITA), and Alfred Nilsson (SWE) after braving the rain throughout the two-hour race.
The BMW M2 CS Racing Cup Benelux race was held at Red Bull Ring (AUT), and Senna van Soelen (NED) and Leyton Fourie (RSA) won first place in both races. BMW 330e M Sport claimed podium finishes in the British Touring Car Championship at Snetterton (GBR). In both races, Jake Hill from the Laser Tools Racing with MB Motorsport team came second, followed by Colin Turkington from Team BMW who came third. All four BMW drivers placed in the top ten in the third and final race, with Stephen Jelley (GBR) capturing sixth place.