Extensive programme for Maxime Martin in 2013 starts at Sebring
ALMS, Blancpain, VLN and DTM in the capacity of BMW Motorsport driver.
Photo by: Eric Gilbert
Maxime Martin’s 2013 season kicks off this coming Saturday 16th March in Florida, where he will be competing in the 12 Hours of Sebring, the first meeting of the American Le Mans Series. And it is in his capacity of BMW Motorsport driver that the young Belgian is readying himself to take up this new challenge, the first of a long series this year.
“I have the opportunity of taking advantage of a three star programme brought about by BMW Motorsport," Maxime explained, who has just returned from the traditional Viareggio fitness course, reserved for the drivers who will be defending the BMW colours in the DTM 2013. "As such I will be competing in the American Le Mans Series at the wheel of one of the new Z4 LM-GTE entered by the Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing team, who represent BMW Motorsport in the United States. Hence my presence at Sebring.
"In addition to this programme I have the Blancpain Endurance Series, two rounds of the VLN and the 24 Hours of the Nürburgring at the wheel of one of Marc VDS Racing’s BMW Z4 GT3, as also seven meetings of the DTM, at which I will officiate as the reserve driver. On top of that I will also be carrying out development tests with the M3 DTM. I don’t believe I will have much time to be bored this year."
For the 12 Hours of Sebring, Maxime will have the privilege of introducing the new Z4 LM-GTE to the race, which he will share with Bill Auberlen and Jörg Müller. “It goes without saying that the competition in GTE-Pro are far more experienced than we are, and that we won’t immediately be the amongst the fastest."
Maxime continued, "However in endurance, everything is possible, and the first objective is to reach a good level of reliability in order to reap a maximum number of points by the end of this 12 hours race in Florida. For this occasion the Z4 GTE I will be driving will boast a black matt colour, which is a première for a BMW outside of the DTM. I hope it will bring us luck.”
I can’t wait to be at the start of the race and get into the heart of the matter.
For Maxime and his teammates the first free practice sessions will take place on Thursday, whilst the actual race is scheduled for Saturday, at 10.30hrs, Sebring time, in other words 15.30hrs Belgian time. With the finish some 12 hours later, obviously.
“I can’t wait to be at the start of the race and get into the heart of the matter, but I would already wish to thank all those who have made this programme possible, starting off with BMW Motorsport obviously, but also Marc van der Straten, with whom I have the pleasure and the honour to continue in the adventure, the RACB National Team, not forgetting my partners Coyote, Maca Express, Kinetic Simulation, Tolrip and Greenwich. I hope to be worthy of their trust throughout the entire season."
Maxime Martin
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