Tag Archives: customer

BMW

BMW M Motorsport News, 17th October 2023

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

“Another successful race weekend in the USA! Congratulations to Turner Motorsport on winning two titles with the BMW M4 GT4 and achieving a podium finish with the BMW M4 GT3 at Road Atlanta! Turner Motorsport has a long history with BMW M Motorsport and is a great ambassador for our brand in North America. Thank you for your loyalty and commitment over the years. I’m also thrilled that BMW Italia Ceccato Racing won the Pro-Am title in the Italian GT Endurance Championship. Team Principal Roberto Ravaglia is a BMW M Motorsport legend, and the race series provides an excellent platform. Now, I’m looking forward to the Sprint finale in two weeks!”

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IMSA series: Two titles for Turner Motorsport.

Turner Motorsport had a successful weekend at the IMSA race at Road Atlanta (USA). In addition to a second-place finish in the GTD class of the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship with the #96 BMW M4 GT3, Turner Motorsport also won two titles with the BMW M4 GT4.

In a thrilling finale to the IMSA Michelin Pilot Challenge, Robby Foley and Vincent Barletta celebrated a slightly fortunate victory. They finished 13th in the #96 BMW M4 GT4, which initially meant they would have missed out on the title. However, due to penalties for two other cars, they were promoted two positions, securing their championship win by just ten points. Foley expressed mixed feelings about the win, acknowledging that a more decisive result would have been preferable. Team Principal Will Turner described the race as a reflection of the whole season, emphasizing the unpredictable nature of the championship. In the GSX class of the IMSA VP Racing SportsCar Challenge, Turner Motorsport and driver Francis Selldorff secured a clear victory with a 150-point lead in the championship.

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Italian GT Championship: Pro-Am Endurance title for BMW Italia Ceccato Racing.

BMW Italia Ceccato Racing team clinched the Pro-Am class title at the season finale of the Italian GT Endurance Championship at Vallelunga (ITA). A fifth-place overall finish in the final race secured the title for Stefano Comandini, Marco Cassarà, and Alfred Nilsson in the #7 BMW M4 GT3. The team also finished as runners-up in the overall championship. In the same race, Francesco Guerra, Salvatore Tavano, and Carlo Tamburini finished third overall, winning the Pro-Am class in the #8 BMW M4 GT3.

The Sprint Championship season finale will take place at the end of October, with BMW M works drivers Jens Klingmann and Bruno Spengler in contention for the title.

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Super GT Series: Penultimate event at Autopolis.

In the seventh of eight races in the 2023 Super GT Series at Autopolis (JPN), BMW M works driver Bruno Spengler achieved a top-ten finish alongside Seiji Ara. Starting from eleventh on the grid in the #7 BMW M4 GT3, Spengler and Ara fought their way up to eighth place. Despite carrying 60 kilograms of success ballast, Spengler was pleased with the result and cautious driving towards the end due to brake issues. The points earned in this race were important for the team.

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BMW M2 CS Racing Cup Benelux: Victories for Rappange/Warmerdam and van der Sloot.

In the BMW M2 CS Racing Cup Benelux at Spa-Francorchamps (BEL), Dante Rappange and Dirk Warmerdam won the opening race in the #15 BMW M2 CS Racing, while Sandra van der Sloot claimed victory in the second race in the #34 BMW M2 CS Racing. Rappange and Warmerdam started from pole position and finished with a three-second lead over Senna von Soelen and Mark van de Aa. Van der Sloot started from pole position in race two and maintained her lead to secure the win. Van Elk finished second, and Sen Roodenburg and Gianni van de Craats finished third after a drive-through penalty.

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Sim racing: BMW M SIM Cup at Road Atlanta circuit.

Matt J. Farrow and Josh Lad from the Williams Esports team won the BMW M SIM Cup on iRacing at the Road Atlanta circuit. Despite a seventh-place finish in qualifying, Farrow and Lad made a remarkable comeback, crossing the finish line first with a 1.5-second lead. In the GT3 class, Salva Talens and Alejandro Sanchez secured their first victory of the season in the #99 BMW M4 GT3, while Alexander Thiebe and Sam Kuitert finished third. Team Redline’s race was disappointing as Tom Burns crashed early on, preventing Max Verstappen from taking the wheel.

BMW

BMW M Motorsport News, 10th October 2023

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

“What an exciting phase of the motorsport season! Every week, titles are being won all over the world and I am delighted to again be able to congratulate BMW M Motorsport drivers and teams – particularly Adrenalin Motorsport Team Motec on their overall victory in the NLS. For the sixth time in a row – awesome! I am also pleased for Walkenhorst Motorsport, who dominated the season in the top SP9 Pro class and deservedly won the NLS Speed Trophy. I would also like to congratulate all the other members of the BMW M Motorsport family, who brought a successful season on the Nordschleife to a close on Saturday! In North America, Zac Anderson won the Silver class in GT4 America. Charlie Postins and James Clay also won the title in the Am category. I was at Indianapolis myself and was able to congratulate them personally. When title races are so close, there are obviously disappointments. I can ensure the BMW M Motorsport drivers and teams who narrowly missed out that we are still very proud of their magnificent performances this season. I am sure they will get another chance!”

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NLS: Adrenalin Motorsport celebrates sixth title in a row.

Philipp Leisen, Oskar Sandberg and Daniel Zils (all GER) of Adrenalin Motorsport Team Motec have once again won the championship in the Nürburgring Endurance Series (NLS). The German trio in the #1 BMW 330i again won the VT2-R+4WD class to secure the title. Adrenalin Motorsport celebrated its sixth overall victory in a row, making it the most successful team in NLS history.

After three back-to-back wins, Christian Krognes (NOR) and Jakub Giermaziak (POL) were again to be found at the front of the field during the season finale. This time, however, they had to settle for fourth place in the SP9 Pro class. Despite that, the #34 Walkenhorst Motorsport BMW M4 GT3 comfortably won the NLS Speed Trophy on the Nordschleife.

The FK Performance Motorsport team also had cause for celebration on Saturday, claiming an impressive one-two in the SP10 class. Nick Hancke, Thorsten Wolter and Nick Wüstenhagen (all GER) took victory in the #187 BMW M4 GT4, ahead of Christian Konnerth, Michael Schrey (both GER), Ranko Mijatovic (SUI) and Sindre Setsaas (NOR) in the #178 BMW M4 GT4.

BMW Motorsport teams and drivers were also out in front in the BMW M240i, BMW M2 CS, V4, VT3 and H4 classes.

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GTWC/GT4/GT/TC: Many highs and some lows at Indianapolis.

The ST Racing team, with Samantha Tan (CAN), BMW M works driver Neil Verhagen and Jake Walker (both USA) finished sixth in the Pro-Am class at the wheel of the #38 BMW M4 GT3 at the finale of this season’s Fanatec GT World Challenge America Powered by AWS, which took place at the iconic Indianapolis Motor Speedway (USA).

In GT4 America, Zac Anderson (USA) was crowned champion in the Silver Class. He finished third and fourth alongside John Capresto-Dubets (USA) in the #51 BMW M4 GT4 at Indianapolis, and secured the title with a lead of 21 points. The winner of the opening race was also a BMW M4 GT4 as Kevin Boehm and Kenton Koch (both USA) from the Random Vandals Racing team won the Silver Class in the #92 BMW M4 GT4. They then finished third in race two to earn third place in the overall standings and round off an outstanding result for BMW M Motorsport.

In contrast, there was disappointment for James Walker Jr. and Tyler McQuarrie (both USA). The #82 BimmerWorld BMW M4 GT4 failed to finish race one in Indianapolis. Race two saw Walker and McQuarrie launch an impressive fightback from 17th on the grid. In the end, however, they had to settle for sixth place in the Pro-Am class, meaning they missed out on the title by one solitary point.

The title in the Am class went to Charlie Postins and James Clay (both USA) from the BimmerWorld team in the #36 BMW M4 GT4.

In TC America, BMW M Motorsport teams celebrated not one but two double podiums. Colin Garrett (USA/Rooster Hall Racing) in the #44 BMW M2 CS Racing finished runner-up in the opening race, with Adam Gleason (USA) from Fast Track Racing coming home third to complete the podium in the #21 BMW M2 CS Racing. Garrett was second again in race two. That time, he was followed over the finish line by Kenny Schmied (USA) in the #14 BMW M2 CS Racing for AOA Racing.

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GT4 France: Lessennes/van der Ende narrowly miss out on the title.

Benjamin Lessennes (BEL) and Ricardo van der Ende (NED) came within a whisker of winning the GT4 France title at the final weekend of the season at Le Castellet (FRA). On Saturday, the #17 BMW M4 GT4 (G82) finished fifth in the Silver class. The duo from the L’Espace Bienvenue team went one better and came home fourth on Sunday.

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BTCC: Hill celebrates at season finale.

Jake Hill (GBR) from the Laser Tools Racing with MB Motorsport team ended this season’s British Touring Car Championship (BTCC) on a high. The Brit won the third and final race of the season finale at Brands Hatch (GBR). Team BMW driver Stephen Jelley (GBR) came home third to make it a double podium for the BMW 330e M Sport. The weekend at Brands Hatch had been a disappointing one for BMW up to that point. The #4 BMW 330e M Sport of Colin Turkington (GBR/Team BMW) was the best-placed BMW in the opening race, finishing fourth. In race two, sixth place for Hill in the #24 BMW 330e M Sport made him the best of the BMW drivers. A strong end to the season saw Hill finish third in the overall standings, ahead of four-time champion Turkington in fourth. In the Manufacturer competition, BMW finished runner-up, narrowly missing out on the title by just four points.

BMW

BMW M Motorsport News, 3rd October 2023

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

“A great race weekend for the BMW M Motorsport teams in Italy and Spain! Congratulations to Hofor Racing by Bonk Motorsport, Michael Schrey, and Gabriele Piana for winning the GT4 European Series title. Also, well done to Borusan Otomotiv Motorsport for their strong season with the BMW M4 GT4. The successes of Team BMW Italia Ceccato Racing with the BMW M4 GT3 were also impressive. And finally, the wins of our Sim racing works team BS+Competition show that we take this aspect of racing seriously. Congratulations!”

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GT4 European Series: Hofor Racing by Bonk Motorsport celebrates championship victory.

Hofor Racing by Bonk Motorsport and drivers Michael Schrey and Gabriele Piana celebrated their championship victory in the GT4 European Series last weekend at Barcelona. They secured the titles in the team and driver standings of the Silver Cup in the BMW M4 GT4. Schrey and Piana finished the year with a 26-point lead in the driver standings and a 28-point lead in the team standings. Borusan Otomotiv Motorsport finished in third place.

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Italian GT Championship: Victory and podium for Spengler/Klingmann at Mugello.

In the Sprint Cup of the Italian GT Championship, BMW M works drivers Jens Klingmann and Bruno Spengler achieved valuable successes at Mugello. They won the Saturday race and finished second on Sunday in the BMW M4 GT3 of BMW Italia Ceccato Racing. Klingmann and Spengler are currently leading the overall standings with a five-point lead heading into the season finale at Imola.

Carlo Tamburini and Francesco de Luca won the Pro-Am class on Saturday in the sister car and narrowly missed the overall podium with a fourth-place finish. On Sunday, they finished fourth in the Pro-Am category.

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BMW M2 CS Racing Cup Italy: Zanasi and Giacon win at Mugello.

At the Italian GT Championship weekend at Mugello, the BMW M2 CS Racing Cup Italy held two races. Marco Zanasi won the first race with Steven Giacon coming in second. In the second race, Giacon emerged victorious with a four-second lead over Zanasi. Jody Vullo finished third in both races. Defending champion Luigi Ferrara had a disappointing weekend, finishing fourth in the first race and retiring in the second.

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Sim racing: Two wins in the Fanatec GT World Challenge Europe.

During the Fanatec GT World Challenge Europe Powered by AWS at Barcelona, the BMW M4 GT3 won both sim racing events. Team WRT driver Calan Williams won the Fanatec Esports GT Pro Series, securing the Gold Cup title. BMW works driver Dan Harper finished third in the race. In the SRO Esports SIM Pro Series, Nils Naujoks of BMW M Team BS+Competition won the final race and finished second in the overall standings.

Featured

Upcoming Cars In October 2023: Nissan Magnite AMT, Lexus LM MPV, Force Gurkha 5-door And Others


Apart from a few launches, Citroen will also begin customer deliveries for the new C3 Aircross compact SUV in October

The past few months have seen several new cars enter the market, including the Tata Nexon facelift, Honda Elevate, and the Hyundai i20 facelift. While most of the highly anticipated models for this year have already been launched, there are still a few expected to go on sale in October 2023. Let’s take a look at these upcoming cars:

Nissan Magnite AMT

Expected Price- Rs 7.60 lakh

Nissan Magnite

The Nissan Magnite, launched in late-2020, has so far been available with a CVT automatic gearbox only for its turbo-petrol variant starting at Rs 10 lakh. Now, Nissan will introduce a 5-speed AMT gearbox option for the naturally aspirated 1-litre engine, similar to its sibling, the Renault Kiger. No additional features are anticipated with the new transmission option. The Magnite comes equipped with an 8-inch touchscreen, a 7-inch digital driver’s display, auto AC, and cruise control. Safety features include dual front airbags, a 360-degree camera, and a tire pressure monitoring system.

 

Nissan Magnite Kuro Edition

Expected Price- Rs 8.10 lakh

Nissan Magnite

The Nissan Magnite has been recently announced as the official car for the upcoming ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2023. Alongside this announcement, Nissan has introduced a special Kuro (meaning ‘black’ in Japanese) edition of the sub-4m SUV and opened bookings for it. The special edition is expected to feature black accents inside and out, along with possible additional features. It is likely to be offered with both the powertrain options, including the soon-to-be-launched AMT gearbox.

Lexus LM

Expected Price- Rs 2 crore

2023 Lexus LM

In October 2023, the second-generation Lexus LM MPV, based on the new Toyota Vellfire, is expected to debut. The luxury MPV started accepting bookings towards the end of August 2023 and has reportedly received a positive response. It features a striking design with electronically sliding rear doors and a prominent spindle grille. The cabin offers opulent seating arrangements in 4-, 6-, and 7-seat layouts, with wide reclining ottoman seats, a 23-speaker surround sound system, pillow-styled headrests, and a massive 48-inch TV. The India-spec LM is expected to be powered by a 2.5-litre strong-hybrid powertrain.

Also Check Out: These Are The 7 Car Launches We Saw In September 2023

5-door Force Gurkha

Expected Price- Rs 16 lakh

Five-door Force Gurkha Export

The 5-door version of the Force Gurkha SUV, a highly anticipated model, is likely to debut soon. It has been spotted testing multiple times, with recent sightings suggesting the possibility of a 3-row configuration. The 5-door Gurkha is expected to feature revised lighting setup and larger 18-inch alloy wheels compared to its 3-door counterpart. It will likely be powered by the same 2.6-litre diesel engine (90PS/250Nm) and offer a 5-speed manual gearbox as standard. The SUV is expected to come with a four-wheel drivetrain, and safety features may include dual airbags, a reversing camera, and rear parking sensors.

BYD Seal

Expected Price- Rs 60 lakh

BYD Seal

The BYD Seal, a premium electric sedan, is expected to make its entry in October 2023. The carmaker showcased this model at Auto Expo 2023 and is now featuring it on the BYD India website, indicating its imminent official debut. Details about the battery pack are yet to be disclosed, but it could potentially feature an 82.5 kWh battery pack. It may also come with a dual motor setup, delivering impressive performance with a 0-100kmph acceleration in just 3.8 seconds. The BYD Seal claims a range of 700km and will compete against the Hyundai Ioniq 5 and Kia EV6.

Few Special Editions

As the festive season is in full swing, several special edition models have already been launched, following the usual trend in the Indian automobile industry. Additionally, some carmakers might take the opportunity to introduce new limited or special editions to celebrate the big festive occasions to come.

Citroen To Begin Delivering The C3 Aircross

Citroen C3 Aircross

The Citroen C3 Aircross, the newest member in the compact SUV segment, will start customer deliveries in October. The C3 Aircross stands out by offering the option to seat either five or seven occupants with the availability of a removable third row. It is powered by a single 1.2-litre turbo-petrol engine paired with a 6-speed manual transmission. Features include a 10.2-inch touchscreen, a 7-inch digital driver’s display, dual front airbags, and a reversing camera. The SUV has been open for bookings since September 15, and deliveries are set to begin in mid-October.

These are all the new cars expected to arrive in October. Which one are you most excited about? Let us know in the comments.

Read More on : Nissan Magnite on road price

BMW

BMW M Motorsport News, 26th September 2023.

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

“Autumn has started with fantastic success for our BMW M Motorsport teams and drivers. With the BMW M4 GT3, we not only enjoyed a one-two in Sunday’s DTM race at the Red Bull Ring, but also a one-two in the ADAC GT Masters at the same venue, courtesy of FK Performance and Schubert Motorsport. Walkenhorst Motorsport continued its winning run on the Nordschleife. Plus, we had the dominant success for BMW Ceccato Racing in the Italian GT Endurance Championship. In the GT Cup Championship too, victory went to the BMW M4 GT3. Furthermore, our BMW M4 GT4 and the BMW M2 CS Racing also celebrated more great successes in Europe and the USA. At this point, I would like to congratulate our two champions who won titles at the weekend: Colin Garrett in TC America and Leyton Fourie in the BMW M2 Cup. All this success makes us hungry for the conclusion to the season in the many championships around the world.”

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Top topics in this newsletter:

  • NLS: Walkenhorst Motorsport makes it three wins in a row.
  • ADAC GT Masters: One-two for the BMW M4 GT3 at the Red Bull Ring.
  • Italian GT Endurance Championship: Dominant win for BMW Ceccato Racing at Monza.
  • TC America: Colin Garrett is crowned champion with races to come.
  • BMW M2 Cup: Leyton Fourie is the 2023 champion.

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NLS: Walkenhorst Motorsport makes it three wins in a row.

Two weeks after their brace of wins at the 12h Nürburgring (GER), Christian Krognes (NOR) and Jakub Giermaziak (POL) were again unbeatable in race eight of the Nürburgring Endurance Series (NLS). The duo in the Walkenhorst Motorsport #34 BMW M4 GT3 claimed its third victory in a row. This was the fourth win of the year for Krognes, while Giermaziak has five victories to his name.

Krognes and Giermaziak started the four-hour race from fifth on the grid. The pair soon made progress towards the front of the field and, with drizzle falling in the final third of the race, Walkenhorst Motorsport made the right tactical decisions. As a result, the #34 claimed its latest victory with a big lead. Their team-mates Dylan Pereira (LUX) and Sami-Matti Trogen (FIN) were fifth in the #35 BMW M4 GT3.

As well as overall victory, there were also seven class wins for BMW M Motorsport teams in the eighth and penultimate round of the season. The leaders in the NLS standings, Philipp Leisen, Oskar Sandberg and Daniel Zils (all GER) from Adrenalin Motorsport Team Motec, once again won the VT1-R+4WD class in the #1 BMW 330i. In the SP10 class, Michael Schrey, Thorsten Wolter and Nick Wüstenhagen (all GER) secured the latest victory for FK Performance Motorsport and the #187 BMW M4 GT4. Victory also went to the BMW M4 GT4 in the SP8T class in which the winning pair were Carrie Schreiner (GER) and Beitske Visser (NED) for GITI Tire Motorsport by WS Racing in the #151 car. The BMW M240i, BMW M2 CS, V4 and H4 classes also yielded victories for BMW M Motorsport teams and drivers.

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ADAC GT Masters: One-two for the BMW M4 GT3 at the Red Bull Ring.

The ADAC GT Masters was at the Red Bull Ring in Austria at the weekend, where Saturday’s race produced a one-two for the BMW M4 GT3. Among those in action at the Red Bull Ring was BMW M works driver Bruno Spengler (CAN). He was sharing the cockpit of the #10 BMW M4 GT3 with Maxime Oosten (NED) for FK Performance Motorsport. The duo crossed the finish line third in the Saturday race, but were subsequently handed the victory when the first two cars were disqualified after the race. Second place consequently went to Ben Green (GBR) and Eduardo Coseteng (PHI) in the Schubert Motorsport #20 BMW M4 GT3. The onset of rain made for difficult and unpredictable conditions in Sunday’s race. Coseteng/Green were ninth, Spengler/Oosten came home tenth.

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Italian GT Endurance Championship: Dominant victory for BMW Ceccato Racing at Monza.

The royal park in Monza (ITA) hosted round three of the Endurance Cup in the Italian GT Championship in mid-September. The two-hour race ended with a BMW M4 GT3 on the top step of the podium. BMW Ceccato Racing took overall victory with a dominant performance. At the finish, the #7 BMW M4 GT3, driven by Stefano Comandini, Marco Cassará (both ITA) and Alfred Nilsson (SWE), had a lead of almost 40 seconds over their closest rivals. The team’s #8 BMW M4 GT3 ended the race in tenth place. Francesco Guerra, Salvatore Tavano and Carlo Tamburini (all ITA) alternated at the wheel of this car.

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GT World Challenge America: Success for the BMW M4 GT3 in Sebring.

At the penultimate season event of the Fanatec GT World Challenge America in Sebring (USA), the BimmerWorld team raced to the podium with the BMW M4 GT3 in both races. For the ST Racing squad with Samantha Tan (CAN) and BMW M works driver Neil Verhagen (USA), the weekend was an emotional rollercoaster.

The duo displayed remarkable comebacks in both races driving the ST Racing #38 BMW M4 GT3. Due to a penalty after qualifying, they had to start both races from the back of the field. In the Saturday race, they worked their way up to second place in the Pro-Am class (sixth overall). In the second race, Verhagen and Tan managed to take the #38 car all the way to the front of the field, securing their team’s first overall victory in the Fanatec GT World Challenge America. However, the joy was short-lived as the race officials later moved their car to the back of the class. ST Racing has appealed this decision, so the result remains provisional.

Bill Auberlen and Chandler Hull (both USA) finished the Saturday race in the BMW M4 GT3 from BimmerWorld in second place overall. In the second race, they crossed the finish line in third place but moved up to second in the provisional results due to the #38 car’s penalty. In both cases, the result also corresponds to second place in the Pro classification. In the championship standings for this category, Auberlen and Hull are in second place.

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GT Cup Championship: Dan Harper and Darren Leung win at Donington Park.

BMW M works driver Dan Harper and his partner Darren Leung (both GBR) are not only successful with the Century Motorsport BMW M4 GT3 in the British GT Championship, but also the GT Cup Championship. They showed that at the penultimate event of the season at Donington Park (GBR) in mid-September. A race weekend in the GT Cup Championship features a total of four races: a Sprint Race (25 minutes) and a Pit Stop Race (50 minutes) with a driver changeover are held on both the Saturday and the Sunday.

In Saturday’s Sprint Race, Leung secured the third spot on the podium, followed by another third place for Leung and Harper in the afternoon’s Pit Stop Race. On Sunday, the #9 BMW M4 GT3 of Century Motorsport was unbeatable. Starting from pole position, Leung comfortably claimed his maiden GT Cup victory. In the Pit Stop Race on Sunday afternoon, Leung and Harper refused to be stopped by a sudden downpour. They gave a controlled drive to secure the second win of the day.

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GT World Challenge Asia: Jens Klingmann and Jesse Krohn at the finale at Sepang.

BMW M works drivers Jens Klingmann (GER) and Jesse Krohn (FIN) were in action at the weekend at Sepang (MAL), where they supported GH-Team AAI at the finale of the 2023 FANATEC GT World Challenge Asia. Klingmann shared the cockpit of the #91 BMW M4 GT3 with Kevin Chen Chun Hua (CHN). The duo ended the two races in 15th and ninth places. Krohn was unlucky as his team-mate Jun-San Chen (TWN) was involved in a collision in the #90 BMW M4 GT3 in race one. The car was so badly damaged that it was unable to start race two.

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Japanese Super GT Series: Bruno Spengler at Sugo with BMW M Team Studie.

BMW M works driver Bruno Spengler was in action in the Japanese Super GT Championship again in mid-September, when he supported BMW M Team Studie in the race at Sugo (JPN). Spengler again shared the cockpit of the #7 BMW M4 GT3 with Seiji Ara (JPN) in the sixth race of the season. Spengler and Ara finished 13th in an eventful race, which lasted just short of three hours before it was stopped after 40 laps following a crash.

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IMPC: Podium for Random Vandals Racing, championship lead for Turner Motorsport.

The race in the IMSA Michelin Pilot Challenge at Indianapolis Motor Speedway (USA) in mid-September could not have been more dramatic or action-packed. At the end of the thrilling four hours of racing, a BMW M4 GT4 made it onto the podium. Paul Sparta and Kenton Koch (both USA) made a fantastic fightback in the #92 car for Random Vandals Racing. Having started 22nd, they finished third to secure the final spot on the podium.

Fifth place went to Robby Foley and Vin Barletta (both USA) in the Turner Motorsport #96 BMW M4 GT4. Foley and Barletta moved to the top of the championship on the back of this result. The CarBahn with Peregrine Racing also secured a top-ten result, finishing ninth in the #39 BMW M4 GT4.

 

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GT4 France: Another podium for L’Espace Bienvenue.

 

The L’Espace Bienvenue team claimed another podium at the penultimate race weekend of this season’s GT4 France at Lédenon (FRA). Ricardo van der Ende (NED) and Benjamin Lessennes (BEL) finished third overall in the #17 BMW M4 GT4 in Sunday’s race. That also earned them second place in the Silver class. In the Saturday race, the duo came home fourth in its class (ninth overall).

 

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GT4 / TC America: Colin Garrett is crowned champion with races to come.

 

GT4 America and TC America held the penultimate race event of their seasons last weekend at Sebring (USA). BMW M Motorsport teams and drivers enjoyed more success with the BMW M4 GT4 and the BMW M2 CS Racing.

In GT4 America, the first of the two races produced a one-two for the BMW M4 GT4. Kevin Boehm and Kenton Koch (both USA) took victory for Random Vandals Racing in the #92 car. They were followed over the line in second place by Zac Anderson and John Dubets (both USA) in the #51 BMW M4 GT4 of Auto Technic Racing. Boehm and Koch were then runners-up in race two, with Anderson and Dubets coming home third to join them on the podium again. There were further podiums in the other classes. James Walker Jr. and Tyler McQuarrie (both USA) finished third in the Pro-Am class at the wheel of the #82 BimmerWorldRacing BMW M4 GT4. Their team-mates Charlie Postins and James Clay (both USA) in the #36 car claimed a third and a second place in the Am class. STR38 Racing duo Robert Mau and Chris Allen (both USA) ended the opening race in second place in the Am class in the #438 car.

In TC America, Colin Garrett (USA) from the Rooster Hall Racing team won the title in the TCX class with races to come. He won both races in the #44 BMW M2 CS Racing. Behind him, the other BMW drivers made it a BMW one-two-three on both occasions. Lucas Catania (USA / Rigid Speed Company) was runner-up in both races in the #26 car. Third place went to Maddie Aust (USA / Fast Track Racing) in race one and Joseph Pizzuto (USA / Extreme Velocity Motorsports) in race two.

 

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24H Series Barcelona: Hofor Racing by Bonk Motorsport on the GT4 podium.

 

The 24H Barcelona (ESP) in mid-September marked the final 24-hour race of the year in the 24H Series. The Hofor Racing by Bonk Motorsport team competed in the GT4 class and finished on the podium with the #431 BMW M4 GT4. At the end of the 24 hours, the car driven by Martin Kroll (SUI), Maximilian Partl, Michael Mayer, Michael Bonk and Felix Partl (all GER) crossed the finish line second in the class.

 

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BMW M2 Cup: Leyton Fourie is 2023 champion.

 

The winner of the 2023 BMW M2 Cup is Leyton Fourie (RSA). The rookie was crowned champion on his 18th birthday at the Red Bull Ring (AUT) finale. Third place in the first of the two races on Saturday was sufficient for him to wrap up the title with a race still to come. By the time he lined up in the #46 BMW M2 CS Racing in Sunday’s race, he already had an unassailable lead.

Saturday’s race was won by Colin Bönighausen (GER) in the #55 BMW M2 CS Racing. Second place went to Max Rosam (GER), followed by new champion Fourie in third. The Sunday race again produced plenty of dramatic action. In the end, victory went to champion Fourie, ahead of Adrian Rziczny (GER) and Robert Hefler (HUN). Rosam secured second place in the championship, with Bart Horsten (AUS) third overall.

 

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BMW M2 Cup Benelux: Bas Koeten Racing dominates at Zandvoort.

 

In the BMW M2 Cup Benelux, fans were treated to three races at round four of the season, which took place at Zandvoort (NED) in mid-September. The event was dominated by one team: Bas Koeten Racing. They claimed a one-two-three in the opening race, a one-two in race two, and finished first and third in the final race.

In the opening race, it was Senna van Soelen (NED) and Leyton Fourie (RSA) who took victory by a big margin in the #24 BMW M2 CS Racing. Their team-mates Sen Roodenburg/Gianni van de Craats (both NED) and Jop Rappange/Dirk Warmerdam (both NED) followed in second and third place.

Race two saw van Soelen crash out after contact. Victory this time went to Roodenburg/van de Craats, with Rappange/Warmerdam runners-up. Jayden Post (NED) from the Ferry Monster Autosport team finished third. The third and final race, in which only one driver started per car, was won comfortably by Fourie. Kelvin Snoeks (NED) from the MV Motorsport team was runner-up with Roodenburg completing the podium in third place.

 

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BTCC: Colin Turkington claims the 150th race win for BMW.

 

Colin Turkington (GBR) achieved a milestone at the penultimate event of this season’s British Touring Car Championship (BTCC) at Silverstone (GBR). At the wheel of the BMW 330e M Sport run by Team BMW, he claimed the 150th BTCC win for BMW. Turkington won the last of the weekend’s three races after Jake Hill (GBR) had secured victory in a wet opening race for Laser Tools Racing with BMW Motorsport.

The two Silverstone victories saw BMW extend its lead in the Manufacturer competition. Going into the finale at Brands Hatch (GBR), BMW (730 points) now holds a 19-point advantage over its closest rivals. Hill and Turkington lie third and fourth in the Drivers’ Championship.

BMW

Proactive Care – the digital concierge for BMW Customer Service.

The BMW Group is introducing Proactive Care, a new customer service offering driven by data and AI. This innovative solution enables vehicles to identify and anticipate service requirements, allowing for proactive solutions and enhancing the customer experience. The initial applications for existing and upcoming vehicle generations are already live, with continuous improvements and additional functionalities planned for the future.

BMW vehicles have been sending service-related data directly to BMW dealers for several years, facilitating targeted interaction between customers and dealers. With Proactive Care, BMW takes the initiative by reaching out to customers rather than the other way around. The portfolio of dealer service requirements is continuously expanded and, where applicable, integrated with the advantages of artificial intelligence. This development represents the next stage in the evolution of connected vehicles and customer service.

Proactive Care provides various benefits when servicing is required. Through data analysis and the recording of customer preferences, the system enables digital tire diagnosis, fault message identification, and custom proposals for solutions. Depending on the situation, customers are notified via the My BMW app, in-car notifications, email, their preferred dealer, or a telephone call from Roadside Assistance. Proactive Care ensures a long-term improvement in customer service, from self-help suggestions (such as solving problems via a Remote Software Upgrade) to flexible support for guaranteed mobility, and even guidance on the right dealer within the global network if a workshop visit is necessary. The system also offers options like online appointment scheduling and personalized service videos with online payment handling.

Proactive Care is available worldwide for all BMW models with BMW Operating System 7 or later (as of version 07/2019). To access this service, customers need an active BMW ConnectedDrive contract and must register their vehicle in the My BMW app or My BMW portal using their BMW ID and contact details.* By accepting the Privacy Policy, enabling push notifications in the app, and consenting to be contacted by BMW AG or their BMW Service Partner, customers can ensure data collection for Proactive Care. The service always provides transparent information about the work carried out, associated costs, and the expected completion time.

Data protection and transparency are fundamental principles for BMW. The company places great importance on the confidentiality and integrity of personal data, and prioritizes data protection and security. BMW adheres to the General Data Protection Regulation and national laws, such as the German Federal Data Protection Act, collecting data intelligently and for specific purposes. This commitment extends to systems installed in vehicles.

With Proactive Care, BMW offers a revolutionary service experience that emphasizes customer satisfaction as a central focus.

*The available service scope of “Proactive Care” may vary depending on the country of delivery.

BMW

Sylvia Neubauer appointed as Vice President Customer, Brand, Sales at BMW M GmbH

Munich. Sylvia Neubauer will assume the role of head of Customer, Brand, and Sales for BMW M GmbH starting October 2023. Neubauer previously oversaw brand portfolio strategy, market research, and competitive analysis for all brands within the BMW Group. She will be taking over from Timo Resch, who has voluntarily decided to leave the company after holding the position since January 2022.

BMW M GmbH CEO, Franciscus van Meel, expressed gratitude towards Timo Resch for his significant contributions in strengthening sales and marketing activities at BMW M GmbH over the past two years. In 2022, BMW M GmbH achieved record-breaking sales with over 177,000 vehicles sold worldwide, and the company is on track to set a new record in the current fiscal year.

Sylvia Neubauer eagerly anticipates her new responsibilities and the opportunity to combine her passion for BMW M vehicles with her professional expertise. She aims to play a pivotal role in addressing the challenges that lie ahead during these exciting times. The brand’s main focus for current and future development revolves around the continued pursuit of e-mobility and the promotion of performance and high-performance models with electrified drive.

Franciscus van Meel describes Sylvia Neubauer as an experienced sales and marketing specialist, with a strong background in brand repositioning for BMW M, data analytics, and customer journey. Her appointment is seen as the perfect choice to lead the transformation process of BMW M GmbH and strengthen the brand’s global fan community.

BMW

BMW M Motorsport News, 12th September 2023

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

“The BMW M4 GT3 performed exceptionally well in the hands of our customer teams over the past weekend. Our teams Century Motorsport and Walkenhorst Motorsport achieved victory in the British GT Championship and a double win in the NLS, positioning themselves favorably for the end-of-season race. The BMW M4 GT4 also secured more successes in the NLS, ADAC GT4 Germany, and the GT4 European Series. I want to congratulate all the teams and drivers on their achievements and look forward to the exciting battles for titles in the coming weeks.”

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Top topics in this newsletter:

  • NLS: Walkenhorst Motorsport had a perfect weekend.
  • British GT Championship: Dan Harper and Darren Leung triumph at Brands Hatch.
  • ADAC GT4 Germany: BMW M Motorsport teams secure trio of podiums.
  • BMW M2 Cup: Leyton Fourie takes a significant step towards the title.

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NLS: Walkenhorst Motorsport had a perfect weekend.

At the highlight of the Nürburgring Endurance Series (NLS) season, Walkenhorst Motorsport emerged as the big winner with their BMW M4 GT3. Christian Krognes and Jakub Giermaziak in car #34 won both races in impressive fashion. Despite starting from the final position on Saturday, they fought their way to first place. On Sunday, they started sixth but quickly took the lead and secured a commanding victory, finishing nearly three minutes ahead of their teammates in car #35. The #34 crew is currently leading the team standings in the SP9 Pro class and the NLS Speed Trophy with two races remaining. However, Walkenhorst Motorsport’s Pro-Am car, car #36, retired from both races.

In total, BMW M Motorsport teams claimed 15 class wins across the two races in the NLS. Notably, FK Performance Motorsport’s BMW M4 GT4 dominated the SP10 class, while Adrenalin Motorsport Team Motec’s BMW 330i defended its lead in the NLS overall standings with two wins in the VT2-R+4WD class. Other class victories were achieved by BMW M240i, BMW M2 CS, V4, SP4, SP6, and H4. Samantha Tan from Schnitzelalm Racing won the race on Saturday and finished third on Sunday in the BMW M240i Racing, earning her permit.

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British GT Championship: Dan Harper and Darren Leung triumph at Brands Hatch.

Dan Harper and Darren Leung from Century Motorsport secured their second victory of the season in the British GT Championship at Brands Hatch. They won the race in the BMW M4 GT3 with a one-second lead after an exciting finale. Harper made a crucial overtaking maneuver to surpass the second-place Aston Martin. With this win, Harper and Leung remain in contention for the title, currently sitting in second place in the overall standings, 13 points behind the leader.

Additionally, Century Motorsport achieved success in the GT4 category at Brands Hatch. Michael Johnston and Chris Salkeld finished third, winning the Pro-Am classification. Carl Cavers and Lewis Plato took second place in the Pro-Am class, securing a double win for Century Motorsport. Johnston and Salkeld have a comfortable lead in the Pro-Am standings and are within reach of winning the GT4 title. The season finale will take place at Donington Park on October 21st/22nd.

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ADAC GT4 Germany: BMW M Motorsport teams secure trio of podiums.

In the ADAC GT4 Germany races at the Sachsenring, BMW M Motorsport teams achieved three podium finishes. Tim Reiter and Leon Wassertheurer from Hofor Racing by Bonk Motorsport finished third on Saturday, with their teammates Gabriele Piana and Marat Khayrov right behind them. On Sunday, Nico Hantke and Mex Jansen from Walkenhorst Motorsport secured second place, while Mohan Ritson and Tom Wood from FK Performance Motorsport finished third. BMW M4 GT4 cars performed well, with four of them reaching the top 10 on Sunday and three on Saturday.

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BMW M2 Cup: Leyton Fourie takes a significant step towards the title.

Leyton Fourie extended his lead in the BMW M2 Cup championship by securing two wins at the Sachsenring. Racing in the BMW M2 CS Racing with car number 46, Fourie finished ahead of Max Rosam and Bart Horsten on Saturday and had an even more convincing win on Sunday, finishing over five seconds ahead of his rivals. With a 17-point lead over Horsten, Fourie is now one step closer to winning the title, with the season finale at the Red Bull Ring in two weeks.

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ADAC GT Masters: Podium for Schubert Motorsport.

At the Sachsenring, Schubert Motorsport’s BMW M4 GT3, driven by Ben Green and Eduardo Coseteng, secured a podium position with second place on Saturday. They finished fourth in the race on Sunday.

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GT4 European Series: W&D Racing Team celebrates two podium positions.

At the Hockenheimring, W&D Racing Team’s Paolo and Davide Meloni finished second in the Am class with their BMW M4 GT4 on Saturday and achieved another podium position with third place on Sunday. BMW M Motorsport teams narrowly missed the podium in the overall classification, with the best positions being ninth on Saturday and eighth on Sunday.

ToyotaUk

Toyota Provides Support for Hurricane Idalia Relief Efforts

Contributions promote recovery and customer payment relief offers assist those in need

PLANO, Texas (Sept. 1, 2023) – Toyota Motor North America and Toyota Financial Services have announced their efforts to aid those who have been impacted by Hurricane Idalia. Toyota makes annual contributions to The American Red Cross and SBP, and these funds are used to support recovery efforts in various disaster-stricken areas across the nation. To provide further assistance to communities affected by Hurricane Idalia, Toyota will match contributions made by its U.S.-based employees to support The American Red Cross, SBP, and other eligible nonprofits.

In addition, Toyota Financial Services has announced payment relief options for its customers affected by Hurricane Idalia. This outreach is available to all Toyota Financial Services (TFS) or Lexus Financial Services (LFS) customers residing in the designated disaster areas.

Customers who lease or finance a vehicle and are living in the affected area may qualify for various payment relief options, which include:

  • extensions and deferred lease payments;
  • redirecting billing statements; and
  • arranging phone or online payments.

Customers who would like to discuss their account options are encouraged to contact TFS or LFS:

Toyota Financial Services customers may call 800-874-8822 or contact TFS via email using the Mail Center function after logging into ToyotaFinancial.com. 

Lexus Financial Services customers may call 800-874-7050 or contact LFS via email using the Mail Center function after logging into LexusFinancial.com.

We send our heartfelt thoughts to those affected by this devastating storm.

About Toyota

Toyota (NYSE:TM) has been an integral part of the cultural landscape in North America for over 65 years. The company is committed to advancing sustainable, next-generation mobility through its Toyota and Lexus brands, as well as its network of more than 1,800 dealerships.

In North America, Toyota employs over 63,000 people who have contributed to the design, engineering, and assembly of nearly 45 million cars and trucks at its 13 manufacturing plants. By 2025, Toyota’s 14th plant in North Carolina will begin producing automotive batteries for electrified vehicles. With the largest fleet of electrified vehicles on the road among automakers, Toyota currently offers 24 electrified options.

BMW

BMW M Motorsport News, 28th August 2023

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

“Over the past weekend, the focus was clearly on the IMSA race weekend in Virginia. It’s incredible how successful the BMW M Motorsport teams presented themselves in all the racing series there. Congratulations to Paul Miller Racing and Turner Motorsport for their one-two result in the GTD class with the BMW M4 GT3! This marks the fifth class win for Paul Miller Racing in this IMSA season, which is a fantastic record that all team members can be very proud of. Now, in the final two races, the goal is to clinch the well-deserved championship title. I wish them the best of luck for that! I was also greatly pleased with the wins and podium finishes for the BMW M4 GT4 in the IMSA Michelin Pilot Challenge and the VP Racing SportsCar Challenge. Congratulations to Turner Motorsport and Stephen Cameron Racing!”

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IMSA Series: Paul Miller Racing and Turner Motorsport celebrate double victory.

 

During the past weekend, as part of the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship (IMSA Series), the GT3 cars exclusively took the stage for the second time this season at Virginia International Raceway (USA). In the GTD class, the BMW M4 GT3 was clearly dominant. Paul Miller Racing, with Madison Snow and Bryan Sellers (both USA), impressively secured their fifth class win of the season, setting a new IMSA record in the process. At the end of the 2-hour and 40-minute race, the #1 BMW M4 GT3 finished third overall and as the class winner, more than twelve seconds ahead of Turner Motorsport’s #96 BMW M4 GT3. Robby Foley and Patrick Gallagher (both USA) showcased their fuel-saving skills and sealed the one-two result for the BMW M Motorsport teams as the second-placed finishers. Bill Auberlen and Chandler Hull (both USA) were positioned third in Turner Motorsport’s #97 BMW M4 GT3 until shortly before the finish but had to concede one position, narrowly missing the GTD podium. With two races left in the season, Paul Miller Racing is on the verge of defending their title in the IMSA Sprint Cup and leads the GTD class driver and team standings significantly. BMW holds the top spot in the manufacturer standings. The next IMSA race is scheduled for 17th September at Indianapolis (USA), where BMW M Team RLL with the BMW M Hybrid V8 will rejoin the action.

 

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IMSA Michelin Pilot Challenge: Podium for Turner Motorsport.

 

During the race weekend at Virginia International Raceway (USA), the BMW M4 GT4 participated in the IMSA Michelin Pilot Challenge (IMPC). Notably, Turner Motorsport caught attention with strong results. Initially, Cameron Lawrence and Robert Megennis (both USA) secured the pole position with the #95 BMW M4 GT4. However, the duo encountered misfortune during the race and dropped to eleventh place. Their teammates Robby Foley and Vincent Barletta (both USA) had a much better outcome. Starting from eleventh, they managed to claim second place and secure a spot on the podium. That second place also reflects in the overall standings. The BMW M Motorsport teams Random Vandals Racing, Stephen Cameron Racing, and Fast Track Racing also participated with the BMW M4 GT4, although they missed out on top-ten results.

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VP Racing SportsCar Challenge: Five out of six podiums for BMW Teams.

 

Also taking place at Virginia International Raceway (USA), the VP Racing SportsCar Challenge featured two races where the BMW M4 GT4 dominated. The BMW M Motorsport teams Turner Motorsport and Stephen Cameron Racing achieved five out of six possible podium positions with the car. In the Saturday race, Turner driver Francis Selldorff (USA) triumphed in the GSX class, followed by Gregory Liefooghe (USA, Stephen Cameron Racing) and Turner teammate Vincent Barletta (USA). On Sunday, Liefooghe reversed the order and secured victory ahead of Selldorff. Sean Quinlan (USA) in the second BMW M4 GT4 from Stephen Cameron Racing narrowly missed the podium, finishing in fourth place. In the overall standings of the racing series, Selldorff and Turner Motorsport hold a significant lead in the driver and team rankings. BMW leads among the manufacturers.

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Japanese Super GT Series: Bruno Spengler supports BMW M Team Studie.

 

During the past weekend, the Japanese Super GT Series held its fifth round of the season at Suzuka (JPN). For BMW M Team Studie, BMW M works driver Bruno Spengler (CAN) and Seiji Ara (JPN) competed in the 450km race with the #7 BMW M4 GT3. However, the duo struggled with the maximum success ballast of 100 kilograms and missed a top-ten result. Starting from 13th place, they could only manage a 16th position after 70 laps.

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Super Series: Jesse Krohn successfully supports AAI Motorsports Team.

 

BMW M works driver Jesse Krohn (FIN) travelled to Malaysia to support BMW M Motorsport Team AAI Motorsports in the Thailand Super Series last weekend and achieved great success in this endeavour. Krohn shared the cockpit of the #91 BMW M4 GT3 with Chun Hua Chen (TPE) at Sepang and together, they secured a victory and a third-place finish in the two races.

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BTCC: BMW Teams secure three podiums at Donington Park.

 

The British Touring Car Championship (BTCC) held its eighth round at Donington Park (GBR). BMW teams celebrated a podium finish in all three races. In races one and two, Jake Hill (GBR) of Team Laser Tools Racing with MB Motorsport secured second and third places in the BMW 330e M Sport. In the third race, Hill managed only an eighth-place finish, while Adam Morgan (GBR) of Team BMW celebrated third place. Morgan had achieved twelfth and ninth positions in the first two races. Colin Turkington (GBR) consistently gave strong performances with fifth, fourth, and sixth places, even without a podium. Stephen Jelley (GBR) driving the fourth BMW 330e M Sport finished in 19th, 13th, and tenth positions.

In the driver standings, with two race weekends remaining, Hill holds third place, closely followed by Turkington in fourth. In the manufacturer standings, BMW maintains a narrow lead.

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GT4 Scandinavia: Podium for M-Bilar Racing in Anderstorp.

The BMW M4 GT4 of M-Bilar Racing team secured another podium during the GT4 Scandinavia race weekend in Anderstorp (SWE). Victor Bouveng and Joakim Walde (both SWE) clinched third place in the second race, following their fourth-place finish in the first race. In the overall standings, the duo currently holds the third position.