Tag Archives: Racing

BMW

BMW M Motorsport News, 20th June 2023.

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

“Once again, we can look back on plenty of exciting races with superb successes for the BMW M Motorsport teams in Europe, Asia and North America. Be it in the BMW M4 GT3, the BMW M4 GT4, the BMW M2 CS Racing, or other BMW M racing cars – they secured wins and podiums around the world. Congratulations to the Walkenhorst Motorsport team, who clinched the fourth win in the fourth race for the BMW M4 GT3 on the Nürburgring-Nordschleife. In the ADAC GT Masters, Schubert Motorsport got the season underway with a podium, and FK Performance Motorsport made an impressive debut in the series. Dan Harper and Century Motorsport celebrated another podium in the British GT Championship, and BMW Italia Ceccato Racing enjoyed success at the 12H Monza. The races of the various series at the VIRginia International Raceway were also a great deal of fun, with the podiums for the BMW M4 GT3 through BimmerWorld, ST Racing and Turner Motorsport, as well as the dominant successes in GT4 America and TC America. Our BMW M4 GT4 was also unbeatable in France. And there were further successes in real-world and virtual racing. Congratulations to all the teams and drivers!”

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Top topics in this newsletter:

– Walkenhorst Motorsport celebrates overall win in NLS 4.

– Schubert Motorsport gets the 2023 season of the ADAC GT Masters underway with a podium.

– BMW M Motorsport teams secure wins and podiums in Virginia.

– Further podium finishes for the BMW M4 GT3 in the British GT Championship and at the 12H Monza.

– BMW M4 GT4 wins in the GT World Challenge Asia and GT4 France.

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NLS 4: Walkenhorst Motorsport celebrates clear win on the Nordschleife.

Four races and four wins for the BMW M4 GT3 is the current state of play for the BMW M Motorsport teams in the Nürburgring Endurance Series (NLS). After a long break, the season resumed with race number four on Saturday, and after four hours Walkenhorst Motorsport celebrated their second NLS overall win of the year. Jakub Giermaziak (POL) and Christian Krognes (NOR) started the race from second on the grid in the #34 BMW M4 GT3. The duo took the lead in the second hour of racing and when they crossed the finish line, Giermaziak / Krognes had a lead of more than two minutes over their closest rivals. Giermaziak previously celebrated overall victory with the #34 at the beginning of April, when he shared the cockpit with BMW M works driver Jesse Krohn (FIN).

It even looked like there might be a one-two result for Walkenhorst Motorsport. Thomas Neubauer (FRA), Niklas Krütten (GER) and Dylan Pereira (LUX) in the #35 BMW M4 GT3 were in second place behind their team-mates temporarily, but then an accident forced them towards the back of the field, and they ended up being classified as Did Not Finish.

In addition to the overall win, and thereby victory in the SP9 Pro category of Walkenhorst Motorsport, the BMW M Motorsport teams claimed a further seven class wins in the fourth NLS race of the season. Walkenhorst Motorsport also won the SP10 class with the #191 BMW M4 GT4. Aris Balanian (BEL), Florian Weber (GER) and Ace Robey (USA) shared the cockpit. Two class wins went to Adrenalin Motorsport Team Motec. In the strong field in the VT2-R+4WD category, Daniel Zils, Oskar Sandberg, and Philipp Leisen (all GER) won once again in the #1 BMW 330i. Their team-mates Sven Markert, Nils Steinberg, and Yannick Fübrich (all GER) secured first place in the BMW M240i class with the #650 BMW M240i Racing. Victory in the BMW M2 CS category went to the two Swedes, Peter Larsen and Johan Rosen in the #884 BMW M2 CS Racing. In the V4 class it was Jürgen Huber, Oliver Frisse and Danny Brink (all GER) who won in the #702 BMW 325i of QTQ-Raceperformance. The #250 BMW 325i of Serge van Vooren and Christian Schotte (both GER) won the SP4 class, and in the H4 category, Bernd Kleeschulte (GER) was victorious in the #600 BMW M3 E92 GTR.

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ADAC GT Masters: Schubert Motorsport gets new season underway with a podium.

The Schubert Motorsport team started the 2023 season of the ADAC GT Masters with a podium finish. The season opener was held at Hockenheim (GER). In the first of the two races, Edoardo Coseteng (PHI) and Ben Green (GBR) in the #20 BMW M4 GT3 moved their way up the field from eighth on the grid into second place to make it onto the podium. They crossed the finish line in fourth place in race two.

The FK Performance Motorsport team made its ADAC GT Masters debut at Hockenheim and was up there at the front from the start. In the first race, Kim-Luis Schramm (GER) and Igor Walilko (POL) in the #10 BMW M4 GT3 were in the lead for much of the race. However, a safety car period and a turbulent final phase saw the duo drop down the field and end up narrowly missing out on a spot on the podium in fourth place. The duo finished the second race in eighth place.

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GT World Challenge America: BMW M Motorsport teams bag podiums in Virginia.

The Fanatec GT World Challenge America stopped off at the VIRginia International Raceway (USA) at the weekend, and the BMW M Motorsport teams picked up podiums. In race one on Saturday, Chandler Hull and Bill Auberlen (both USA) in the BimmerWorld #94 BMW M4 GT3 finished in second place on the overall podium, which was also equal to second place in the Pro class. In the ST Racing #38 BMW M4 GT3, Samantha Tan (CAN) teamed up with BMW M works driver Neil Verhagen (USA). The new pairing had plenty of reason to celebrate in Virginia; they moved up six places in race one to cross the finish line in fourth place in the overall ranking. This was second place in the Pro-Am class and the first podium for ST Racing in the Fanatec GT World Challenge America.

Verhagen and Tan levelled up in the second race on Sunday. This time they also finished on the overall podium and got second place in the race classification as well as second place in the Pro-Am class again. Verhagen also set the fastest race lap. Hull and Auberlen were also up there fighting for the win, but a penalty for speeding in the pit lane pushed them back down into ninth place (fifth place in the Pro class).

Robby Foley and Vincent Barletta (both USA) competed in the #96 BMW M4 GT3 of Turner Motorsport in Virginia. They finished in P13 and P10 (eighth and fifth in the Pro-Am class).

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British GT Championship: Dan Harper and Century Motorsport on the podium at Snetterton.

BMW M works driver Dan Harper (GBR) was in action in the British GT Championship once again at the weekend. He and his team-mate Darren Leung (GBR) had further reason to celebrate at Snetterton (GBR) where the duo bagged another spot on the podium in the #91 Century Motorsport BMW M4 GT3. Harper and Leung finished in second place on the podium in the first of the two races. “Darren drove into P2 in a superb first stint and after we dropped down a few places during a pit stop I gave it my all to regain the position. I saw where we were quicker, could move back up the field, and bring the podium home,” reported Harper after the race. Harper and Leung finished race two in fifth place.

Their Century Motorsport team-mates in the BMW M4 GT4 also joined in the podium celebrations at Snetterton. In race one, Michael Johnston and Chris Salkeld (both GBR) finished third in their class in the #14 car, with Carl Cavers and Lewis Plato (both GBR) in the #22 right behind them in fourth place. In race two, Cavers/Plato finished fourth in their class again, while Johnston/Salkeld crossed the finish line in eighth place this time of asking.

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24H Series: Class podium for BMW Italia Ceccato Racing at 12H Monza.

The 24H Series headed to Monza, Italy for the fifth race event of the season where BMW Italia Ceccato Racing enjoyed success at the 12H Monza. The #15 BMW M4 GT3 had the three Brazilians Leo Sanchez, Atila Abreu and William Freire at the wheel. The trio celebrated second place on the podium in the GT3-AM class in the two-part twelve-hour race. They finished in an outstanding fourth place in the overall rankings.

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GT World Challenge Asia: BMW M Team Studie with GT4 class win at Fuji.

At the Fanatec GT World Challenge Asia race weekend at Fuji (JPN), BMW M Team Studie claimed a class win in the GT4 category. In the first of the two races, Masaki Kano and Manabu Orido (both JPN) in the #50 BMW M4 GT4 of YZ RACING with BMW Team Studie crossed the finish line as winners in their class. They were not classified in race two.

In the #5 BMW M4 GT3 of PLUS by BMW Team Studie, Tomohide Yamaguchi and Seiji Ara (both JPN) took to the Fuji track. They finished in fifth place overall in the second race. They retired from race one.

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GT / GT4 / TC America: BMW M Motorsport Teams with back-to-back successes.

In the GT America, GT4 America and TC America races that were held at the VIRginia International Raceway (USA) at the weekend, the BMW M Motorsport teams celebrated back-to-back successes once again.

In the GT America, Vincent Barletta (USA) in the Turner Motorsport #96 BMW M4 GT3 finished third on the podium in race one. He crossed the finish line in eighth place in the second race.

The BMW M4 GT4 dominated the GT4 America in Virginia at the weekend. In the first race, the BMW racers brought home a top-four lock-out. Kevin Boehm and Kenton Koch (both USA) won the thrilling race in the #92 BMW M4 GT4 of Random Vandals Racing. That also saw them win the Silver class. Second place went to the #51 car of Auto Technic Racing, with Zac Anderson and John Dubets (both USA) at the wheel. The #82 and #36 BMW M4 GT4 of BimmerWorld crossed the finish line in third and fourth place. James Walker Junior and Tyler McQuarrie (both USA) in the #82 also got the win in the Pro-Am standings, while James Clay and Charlie Postins (both USA) in the #36 won the Am category.

In the second GT4 America race, Anderson and Dubets secured the overall win and first place in the Silver classification. Boehm and Koch crossed the finish line in second place this time of asking to complete the one-two finish for the BMW M4 GT4. There were also further class wins for Walker Junior / McQuarrie in the Pro-Am standings and Clay / Postins in the Am category.

In TC America, it was Maddie Aust (USA)’s weekend. In the first of the two races, she celebrated her first TC America victory in the #9 BMW M2 CS Racing of Fast Track Racing. She repeated that success in the second race when she was the first to cross the finish line once again. The first race, which was characterized by a dramatic final phase, ended being a top-four lock-out for the BMW M2 CS Racing. In second place behind Aust was her team-mate Adam Gleason (USA). This was his first podium finish in the series. Joseph Catania (USA / Rigid Speed Company) finished third, Colin Garrett (USA / Rooster Hall Racing), who was spun around by a competitor in the battle for P1 on the final lap, crossed the finish line in fourth place. In race two, second and third place behind winner Aust went to Garrett and Lucas Catania (USA / Rigid Speed Company).

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GT4 France: Double win for L’Espace Bienvenue in Dijon.

There was no getting past Benjamin Lessennes (BEL) and Ricardo van der Ende (NED) at the third GT4 France race weekend in Dijon (FRA). The duo was dominant in the #17 BMW M4 GT4 of the L’Espace Bienvenue team and secured the overall win in both races. That saw them also get both class wins in the Silver category. In addition, the VSF Sport – Amplitude Automobiles team in the #41 BMW M4 GT4 finished in second place in the Pro-Am classification in the first race.

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BMW M2 CS Racing Cup Italy: Double victory for Luigi Ferrara in Vallelunga.

The second round of the 2023 BMW M2 CS Racing Cup Italy was held in Vallelunga (ITA). The man of the weekend was Luigi Ferrara (ITA) from Team V-Action by Nanni Nember. He was unbeatable in his #1 BMW M2 CS Racing and secured victory in both races, each with a significant lead. In the first of the two races, Jody Vullo (ITA) and Steven Giacon (ITA) also took second and third place on the podium. In race two, the podium spots behind Ferrara went to Marco Zanasi (ITA) and Lorenzo Marcucci (ITA). In the championship standings, Ferrara leads ahead of Vullo and Zanasi.

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Sim Racing: Successful Weekend for BMW SIM Teams on Assetto Corsa Competizione and iRacing.

The BMW sim racing teams enjoyed a successful weekend. In the Intercontinental GT Challenge Esports powered by Mobileye, hosted on Assetto Corsa Competizione, BMW M Team BS+COMPETITION celebrated their first podium finish in the second race. The driver trio of Nils Naujoks, Gregor Schill and Arthur Kammerer (all GER) moved up from fifth on the grid into second place during the nine-hour race on the virtual Kyalami (RSA) track. Victory went to the Williams Esports team in the #66 Audi.

In the Silver class in the race, BMW Romania Team West Competition Racing finished in 14th place with drivers Sebastian Apostol (ROM), Marco Jonkers (NED), Victor Nicolae (ROM) and Andrei Miclea (ROM).

The special Six Hours of the Glen event, part of the VCO Grand Slam, was held at the same time on the iRacing platform. The highlight here was the Redline BMW SIM team’s victory in the GTP class at the virtual Watkins Glen (USA). Diogo Pinto (POR) and Chris Lulham (GBR) drove the BMW M Hybrid V8 with car #20 to a convincing win. Their team-mates Enzo Bonito (ITA) and Luke Bennett (GBR) in car #69 secured second place to clinch an impressive Redline one-two finish. Also contesting the GTP class was the BMW Bank team represented by Pedro Sanchez (ESP) and Nathan Lewis (USA), however, an accident forced the duo to retire.

The Redline team with Gianni Vecchio (ITA), Ole Steinbraten (NOR) and Josh Thompson (GBR) were also convincing in the GTD class and got the win there as well with the BMW M4 GT3. BMW M Team BS+COMPETITION finished in sixth place with Felix Quirmbach (GER) and Elias Raikaa (FIN).

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BTCC: Three Races, Three BMW Wins at Oulton Park.

BMW drivers celebrated a perfect weekend in the British Touring Car Championship (BTCC) at Oulton Park. The outcome of the fifth race weekend of the season was three races, three wins. It all started with race one, in which Jake Hill (GBR) of Laser Tools Racing with MB Motorsport claimed the win. In race two, Hill clinched the brace by winning again. The third race made it a triple win for the BMW 330e M Sport. This time it was Colin Turkington (GBR) of Team BMW who celebrated victory. Hill finished the race in second place, followed by Adam Morgan (GBR) in third place, also of Team BMW.

News

BTCC 2023: Hill and Turkington make history with BMW domination

In a remarkable display of dominance, West Surrey Racing swept all the races at Oulton Park in the Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship (BTCC) on Sunday. Jake Hill and Colin Turkington led BMW to victory, leaving their competitors trailing behind.

Hill had an almost perfect day individually, securing two wins, a second place, and three fastest laps for Laser Tools Racing with MB Motorsport.

Turkington’s performance was equally impressive. Starting last on the grid in the first race, the four-time champion made stunning progress and continued to excel in the second race. In the final race, he charged ahead to claim his 65th BTCC career win.

Ash Sutton, Tom Ingram, and Adam Morgan also achieved podium finishes, creating a significant shift in the title race halfway through the season. Sutton’s lead in the drivers’ standings has narrowed to just six points ahead of Ingram, while Hill and Turkington remain in close contention.

The second half of the BTCC campaign will resume at Croft in North Yorkshire on July 29-30.

Hill establishes BMW dominance with a win in race one

Hill kickstarted his 2023 campaign with an impressive victory in the first race.

Throughout the season, the Laser Tools Racing with MB Motorsport racer consistently showcased his talent, earning three second-place finishes. However, this win elevated his title challenge to new heights.

Hill made a fantastic start, overtaking pole-sitter Sutton in his BMW 330e M Sport on the run down to turn one. He successfully defended his position in the opening laps and gradually pulled away from championship leader Sutton in his Napa Racing UK Ford Focus ST.

Ingram of Bristol Street Motors with Excelr8 secured the final podium spot after a strong performance, coming through from sixth on the grid.

Hill secures a double win at Oulton Park

Hill continued his incredible form by claiming his first-ever BTCC double, winning the second race from start to finish.

Despite facing an early safety car period, Hill maintained his lead throughout the race and pulled away to secure another victory ahead of Sutton.

The battle for the final podium position intensified as Ingram successfully held off a late charge from Turkington, who showcased his exceptional skills once again by making significant progress.

Lamborghini

Lamborghini The Real Race – Super Trofeo Esports

The global search for the best sim racing talent continues for a fourth season in 2023

Sant’Agata Bolognese, 31st May 2023 – The Real Race – Super Trofeo Esports season in 2023 is the fourth edition of the virtual contest for Lamborghini fans worldwide. The competition now takes place on the Assetto Corsa Competizione platform and introduces new format changes. It offers participants the opportunity to compete against elite Esport talent from three different continents.

The Real Race – Super Trofeo Esports showcases the latest Lamborghini Huracán Super Trofeo EVO2 race car and represents Lamborghini’s commitment to authenticity, bravery, and unexpectedness in the world of Esports.

Format changes for 2023

This season, aspiring Esport talents can demonstrate their skills live at famous racing venues in Europe. The Fanatec Arena, located at select racing venues hosting the Fanatec GT World Challenge Europe Powered by AWS, allows the public to experience cutting-edge racing simulations. The fastest driver from each event earns a wildcard entry into The Real Race – Super Trofeo Esports Grand Final.

On-site locations:

  • Circuit Paul Ricard | June 3rd
  • Circuit of Spa-Francorchamps | July 2nd
  • Nürburgring | July 29th

In addition to the on-site activations, drivers from the European region can participate in a four-round online racing series. Prior to each standalone racing event, there will be a hot-stint competition. The NALA and APAC regions will also have their hot-stint qualifications followed by regional finals with the top 24 drivers from each region.

Moreover, the Lamborghini Abu Dhabi and Dubai dealers have partnered with the Real Race program to organize a simulator tour, scouting for the best student racing “drivers” in Abu Dhabi and Dubai’s leading schools and universities. The top three students will represent the UAE in the tournament final.

For European drivers, the challenge is to qualify for each race through a leaderboard hot-stint competition. The top 24 drivers advance to a standalone race using the Assetto Corsa Competizione simulation. The top four finishers from each race earn a spot in the on-site final at the Nürburgring Grand Prix Circuit.

The final grid will consist of the 16 qualified drivers, one wildcard qualifier from each on-site activation, and the three qualifiers from Lamborghini Abu Dhabi and Dubai. These European finalists and wildcard entrants will compete in an on-site grand final at the Fanatec Arena during the GT World Challenge race weekend at the Nürburgring Grand Prix Circuit.

A ‘money can’t buy’ prize

The ultimate goal for participants in The Real Race – Super Trofeo Esports series is to win the Grand Final and secure a money-can’t-buy opportunity to become a factory driver in the new Automobili Lamborghini Esports Team. The winners from the NALA and APAC regions will also join the Lamborghini family as proud representatives of the brand in their respective regions.

This tournament expands Lamborghini’s presence in international virtual motorsport, transforming the lives and careers of those who can rise to the top of the Esports racing podium.

Schedule

The Real Race – Super Trofeo Esports season kicks off in June for European competitors and in August for APAC and NALA participants.

European Hot-stint Qualification
Circuit Paul Ricard
Start: June 5th at 11:00 CEST / End: June 12th at 10:00 CEST

Monza Grand Prix Circuit
Start: June 12th at 11:00 CEST / End: June 19th at 10:00 CEST

Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya
Start: June 19th at 11:00 CEST / End June 26th at 10:00 CEST

Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps
Start June 26th at 11:00 CEST / End: July 3rd at 10:00 CEST

European Qualification Races
Race 1 – Paul Ricard   June 15th at 19:30 CEST
Race 2 – Monza           June 22nd at 19:30 CEST
Race 3 – Barcelona     June 29th at 19:30 CEST 
Race 4 – Spa               July 6th at 19:30 CEST

NALA Hot-stint Qualifying
Indianapolis
Start August 14th at 10:00 CEST / End August 28th at 10:00 CEST

APAC Hot-stint Qualifying
Suzuka
Start August 17th at 10:00 CEST / End August 31st at 10:00 CEST

European Regional Final (on-site) 
Date: July 30th 2023
Race 1 – Nürburgring Grand Prix Circuit 
Race 2 – Nürburgring Grand Prix Circuit

NALA Regional Final (online) 
Date: September 2nd 2023
Race 1 – Indianapolis Motor Speedway Grand Prix Course 
Race 2 – Indianapolis Motor Speedway Grand Prix Course

APAC Regional Final (online) 
Date: September 6th 2023
Race 1 – Suzuka Circuit 
Race 2 – Suzuka Circuit

Live Streaming and Official Website

All events of The Real Race – Super Trofeo Esports will be broadcast live and exclusively on the official Lamborghini Squadra Corse YouTube and social media channels. For more information about the series, visit the official website: https://esports.lamborghini/.

The Real Race Official Technical Partner: Assetto Corsa Competizione

Assetto Corsa Competizione is the official GT World Challenge video game. It offers a high-quality simulation experience, allowing players to compete against official drivers, teams, cars, and circuits of the FIA GT3 homologated championship. The game features realistic weather conditions, graphics, motion capture animations, and driving physics. It sets a new standard for driving realism and immersion.

About AK Esports

Ak Esports is an Italian company specialized in organizing Esports competitions, managing Esports teams, and hosting events across Europe, with a focus on Sim Racing. Founded by Ak Informatica, experts in PC gaming since 2004, the company has steadily grown by working with the latest technology and gaming titles to develop Esports Entertainment. AK Esports has collaborated with various car manufacturers and, in partnership with SRO Motorsport Group and Kunos Simulazioni, created the first SRO Esports Championship in 2019. Learn more about AK at www.akesports.it.

Featured

Ford Enters 2024 Dakar Rally with New Ranger Raptor T1+

Ford is set to make its mark in the intense world of rally racing with the new Ford Ranger Raptor T1+. The Dakar Rally, known for its demanding off-road stages, is a highly respected event in the rally racing community. Winning the rally can earn a driver, car, or manufacturer a prestigious place in rally history. Ford aims to achieve this distinction with its latest Raptor machine, the Ford Ranger Raptor.

The Ford Ranger Raptor is known for its increased power and performance, with the Raptor name being synonymous with high-performance off-road capabilities. In line with this, Ford has developed the Ford Ranger Raptor T1+ specifically designed to compete for victory at the 2024 Dakar Rally in Saudi Arabia.

The Dakar Rally presents a new frontier for Ford Performance, who have already achieved victories at renowned racing venues such as Le Mans, Monaco, and Daytona. By entering the Dakar Rally, Ford not only aims to win in the T1+ category but also to gather valuable knowledge and information that can be used for future rally efforts and the development of production performance off-roaders.

The Ranger Raptor T1+ is based on the previous generation Ranger and is equipped with a 3.5-liter EcoBoost engine. Before participating in the Dakar Rally, it will compete in the Baja España Aragón and the Rally du Maroc. In preparation for the 2025 Dakar Rally, Ford Performance and M-Sport plan to create a custom-built Ranger Raptor T1+ that adheres to the category’s regulations.

Ford’s decision to venture into the Dakar Rally is an exciting announcement that showcases the brand’s commitment to pushing boundaries in the racing world.

View All Fords for Sale

Motorsport

Porsche 911 Carrera Cup Crash From 2015 Immortalized In 1:43 Scale Model

Something strange happened on September 26, 2015, that transcended the world of auto racing to become an incident of global interest. At the start of a Porsche one-make race in Spain, a small collision took place on the first lap that saw one 911 come to rest neatly atop another one. Now, that bizarre collision is captured in a detailed 1:43 scale diorama depicting the corner, skid marks galore, and the two damaged race cars.

Spark Models is the company behind this build. Known for producing a wide range of diecast race car replicas, this could be the first time any company designed and created a specific crash in such detail. The two Porsche 911 race cars aren’t simply stacked either – Spark Models accurately recreates the liveries for the two cars involved in the crash, then applies simulated damage to each that’s also race accurate. As for the track, it represents turn three at Circuito de Navarra in Spain though the final resting spot for the cars isn’t as accurate as the cars themselves. Still, we get the idea. And we love it.

To refresh your memory, the actual crash occurred less than 30 seconds into the Porsche Carrera Cup France race. Drivers Jules Gounon, Alexander Cougnud, and Joffrey de Narda were fighting for the lead when Cougnud tapped De Narda. This spun De Narda (driving the no. 9 Porshce) around just ahead of the very sharp turn three at Navarra, leaving De Narda in the unwelcome position of facing traffic.

Still, we doubt he expected to see the underside of Gounon’s no. 169 driving up the windshield. Wheel-to-wheel contact with Cougnud sent Gounon airborne just enough to clear De Narda’s nose. Momentum carried the green-trimmed Porsche neatly to the roof, with the nose resting on the rear wing. The balance was near perfect, though Gounon did suffer minor injuries. As for De Narda, repairs were made and he was back on track to score a victory later in the race weekend.

On its website, Spark Models states the 1:43 scale model of the crash is still in development. However, preorders through retailers such as Hobby Search have begun, showing a price of approximately $155 with an estimated release date of September 2023.

BMW

Peter Hickman impresses with three wins and new lap records on the new BMW M 1000 RR at Isle of Man TT

Peter Hickman and the Monster Energy by FHO Racing BMW Team had a fantastic week, winning three races and setting new lap records at the Isle of Man TT. This year, Hickman won both Superstock TT races and the prestigious Senior TT, setting a new outright TT lap record and new lap records in the Senior TT and the Superbike TT. The new BMW M 1000 RR bike also made its debut at the Isle of Man TT and won both Superstock races. Hickman now has a total of 13 Isle of Man TT wins, with ten victories in the 1,000 cc class on BMW bikes.

Dr. Markus Schramm, Head of BMW Motorrad, congratulated Hickman and the FHO Racing team for their successful performance. He praised Hickman’s ability to continue BMW’s success story at the Isle of Man TT with the new M 1000 RR bike and acknowledged the hard work put in by Hickman and the FHO Racing Team.

The race week began with the Superbike TT, where Hickman faced technical difficulties but managed to set a new Superbike lap record and finish second. He then switched to the Superstock TT version of the M 1000 RR and won both Superstock TT races, setting a sensational new official outright lap record at the Isle of Man TT with an average speed of 136.358 mph. The week concluded with the six-lap Senior TT, which Hickman won comfortably, setting a new Senior TT lap record and finishing almost 20 seconds ahead of second-place Dean Harrison.

Hickman praised the competition at the Isle of Man TT, especially Michael Dunlop, and thanked everyone for their support. His teammate Josh Brookes returned to Isle of Man TT after five years and finished with a personal best of 132.529 mph.

BMW had 16 road racers competing at this year’s Isle of Man TT, with Hickman’s BMW M 1000 XR prototype providing a preview of the third M model at BMW Motorrad.

Motorsport

Ford Mustang GT3 Debuts Ahead Of Competing At Le Mans In 2024

The FIA GT3 racing class regulations allow for modifying a sports car for taking it racing. Now, the Ford Mustang GT3 debuts at Le Mans ahead of competing in the famous 24-hour race in 2024.

The Mustang GT3 uses the 2024 Mustang Dark Horse as a starting point. The body features a more prominent front splitter and canards in the corners. Additional lights are on the outer sections of the grille. The hood gains a pair of massive outlets.


Motorsport

Alpine A424_β Debuts To Mark Brand’s Return To Top Tier Endurance Racing

Alpine, the French performance brand under Renault’s umbrella, has been racing in FIA World Endurance Championship’s LMP2 category for the last decade, but the company is finally ready to make a return to WEC’s premier category next year. Alpine’s 2024 LMDh challenger is the A424_β, which makes its official debut today ahead of this year’s 24 Hours of LeMans race.

Let’s start with the name. The firm says it “respects the tradition of Alpine’s winning Endurance cars, 24 echoes the 24 Hours of Le Mans and 2024, and β designates the final phase before its launch.” The automaker also explains the exterior design of the race car features the brand’s future light signature that will be also seen on production vehicles, while its interior is inspired by road-going supercars.


BMW

BMW M Motorsport News, 6th June 2023

The BMW M Motorsport teams were busy last weekend, participating in events across Europe, Asia, and North America. BMW M Team Studie achieved its first victory of the season in the GT300 class of the Japanese Super GT Championship. The BMW M4 GT3, driven by Seiji Ara and Masataka Yanagida, won the 450km race held at Suzuka, after the race was suspended due to a crash by Nissan driver Tsugio Matsuda. The BMW team opted for an early pit stop, which helped them to claim the lead when the race was stopped. Matsuda suffered injuries but was not majorly hurt.

In the GT4 European Series, BMW M4 GT4 earned a spot on the podium. The Hofor Racing by Bonk Motorsport duo of Gabriele Piana and Michael Schrey, started from pole position on Sunday and finished second in the chaotic closing stages of the race held at Circuit Paul Ricard in Le Castellet, France. Berkay Besler and Tom Edgar battled their way back to fourth place, but were later given a 43-second penalty due to a rules violation. In the race held on Saturday, Besler and Edgar were the best-placed BMW pairing in seventh. Meanwhile, Victor Bouveng and Joakim Walde from M-Bilar Racing won the Pro-Am class in the BMW M4 GT4 and finished third in their class on Sunday.

The IMSA Michelin Pilot Challenge was hosted in Detroit on Saturday, where Turner Motorsport faced a scary moment when Robert Megennis crashed their BMW M4 GT4 spectacularly, taking off and skidding over the roof of a rival’s car before hitting the safety fence. Fortunately, both drivers were unharmed. The second Turner duo of Robby Foley and Vincent Barletta finished ninth in the #96 car, while the BMW M4 GT4 of Stephen Cameron Racing finished 17th.

In the world of virtual racing, BMW drivers and teams shone at the race weekend in the Fanatec GT World Challenge Europe Powered by AWS (GTWC) at Le Castellet. Neil Verhagen and Dries Vanthoor achieved great results in the Fanatec Esports GT Pro Series, winning for the BMW M Team WRT and ROWE Racing team, respectively. Calan Williams won the sim race in his category with the Gold Cup car for the WRT team. BMW M Team BS+COMPETITION’s Arthur Kammerer and Gregor Schill had a strong performance in the SRO Esports Sim Pro Series. The BMW M SIM Cup held its fifth round at the Watkins Glen circuit on the iRacing platform, with Team Redline winning the GT3 class and Team Apex Racing Academy clinching the victory in the GTP class.

Jesse Krohn, BMW M works driver, was a guest starter for the Century Motorsport team in the GT Cup Championship at Snetterton, helping his team-mate and British GT driver Darren Leung to better understand the BMW M4 GT3. They finished with two third-places and two fifth-places. In the British Touring Car Championship, Adam Morgan finished runner-up for Team BMW and claimed one podium in three races while fellow BMW drivers had a series of strong results.

BMW

ROWE Racing Takes Third Place in the GT World Challenge Europe 1000km Race at Paul Ricard

In the second Endurance Cup race of the Fanatec GT World Challenge Europe Powered by AWS (GTWC), BMW M works drivers Philipp Eng, Marco Wittmann, and Nick Yelloly of ROWE Racing claimed third place at the 1000km race of Paul Ricard. This is the team’s second podium finish in the series, maintaining their lead in the standings. However, they had to settle for third place after final stint driver Yelloly lacked the required pace to defend the lead position.

The BMW Junior Team finished in sixth place, while Valentino Rossi, Maxime Martin, and Augusto Farfus finished eighth for the BMW M Team WRT after a strong chasing performance.

Despite starting from 11th on the grid, the #98 car came in fourth but was later classified third when a five-second penalty was imposed on the Audi that finished ahead of them. Similarly, the #46 BMW M4 GT3 moved up 12 positions from 20th to eighth in an impressive performance.

The #32 BMW M4 GT3 from the BMW M Team WRT, which started in ninth place, was not able to finish the race due to technical issues. The #30 BMW M4 GT3 of the WRT team and the #35 BMW M4 GT3 from Walkenhorst Motorsport also did not finish the race.

ROWE Racing’s Philipp Eng was pleased with the team’s performance, saying that they had made significant improvements to the car after finishing practice sessions quite far off the lead on Friday. Max Hesse of ROWE Racing also expressed satisfaction with the team’s competitiveness in the race.

Valentino Rossi of the BMW M Team WRT acknowledged that they wanted more from the race but were satisfied with an 8th place finish from 20th on the grid.

Meanwhile, Charles Weerts of the BMW M Team WRT expressed disappointment over their DNF status resulting from a slight collision with a teammate. The team will now focus on the next race in Spa.