Breaking news
BTCC
BMW brings back 3 Series to BTCC in 2019
BMW will bring the 3 Series model back to the BTCC in 2019, with three examples to be run by the West Surrey Racing team.
Matt James
Edited: Feb 27, 2019, 11:11 AM
Copy link
Share on Viber
Reigning champion Colin Turkington, Tom Oliphant and Pirtek-backed Andrew Jordan will all run the 330i version of the saloon from the opening meeting of the season at Brands Hatch on April 6/7.
The car will be fitted with the same Neil Brown-tuned B48 two-litre turbocharged motor which powered Turkington to last year’s crown.
Three-time champion Turkington said: “It’s going to be great to get back behind the wheel of the 3 Series. It brings back some very happy memories. We know the BTCC never stands still, and you have to keep pushing forwards.
“We had got every last bit – and probably even more – out of the 1 Series but now we have got a new programme to get our teeth in to.”
Turkington took a single victory on his way to last year’s crown. There were 17 different race winners from 30 rounds in what was the championship’s most competitive season yet.
The Northern Irishman added: “[This new prorgamme] takes me back to 2013 when we brought the 125i M Sport in: there is work to be done, but I enjoy being in the middle of making it all gel.
“There is a lot of ground to cover, but if it all goes according to plan, I think we will be at the party from the opening race.”
The 3 Series has a long and successful history in the BTCC stretching back to Frank Sytner’s title triumph in a Prodrive-run M3 in 1988.
The model was driven to three title successes on the bounce by Will Hoy, Tim Harvey and Jo Winkelhock from 1991 to 1993. WSR itself lifted the title running a 3 Series with Turkington at the wheel in 2009.
WSR has previously run the BMW 125i M Sport, which it built as a private project, since 2013. However, BMW UK joined forces with WSR in 2017 and the team now runs in the manufacturers-constructors competition.
Team boss Dick Bennetts said: “A lot of work and countless hours lay ahead, but we are confident of turning this car into a winner. We have achieved a great deal of success with the 3 Series, and we are excited to see what the new version is capable of.
"We aren’t sure when the car will hit the track yet but I hope we will be able to get some mileage before the first meeting.”
We want your opinion!
What would you like to see on Motorsport.com?
Take our 5 minute survey.
- The Motorsport.com Team
Read and post comments
Read also :
Share Or Save This Story
Copy link
Share on Viber
Previous article Boost GRM Supercars unveiled in Adelaide
Next article Renault re-signs Sirotkin as F1 reserve driver
Top Comments
There are no comments at the moment. Would you like to write one?
View More & Comment
More from
Matt James
Butcher returns to Motorbase for 2020 BTCC season
BTCC
BTCC
Butcher returns to Motorbase for 2020 BTCC season
Injured Neal aims to return for BTCC opener
BTCC
BTCC
Injured Neal aims to return for BTCC opener
Chilton moves across to BTC Racing for 2020
BTCC
BTCC
Chilton moves across to BTC Racing for 2020
Latest news
Max Verstappen on GTWC Europe debut: “We’re here to win”
GT World Challenge Europe Endurance
WCEE GT World Challenge Europe Endurance 2 h
Max Verstappen on GTWC Europe debut: “We’re here to win”
How to watch NASCAR at Phoenix II: Weekend schedule, start time, entry list, TV
NASCAR Cup
NAS NASCAR Cup
Phoenix II
3 h
How to watch NASCAR at Phoenix II: Weekend schedule, start time, entry list, TV
Ryan Ellis signs multi-year NASCAR O'Reilly deal with Alpha Prime Racing
NASCAR O'Reilly
NOAP NASCAR O'Reilly
Phoenix II
3 h
Ryan Ellis signs multi-year NASCAR O'Reilly deal with Alpha Prime Racing
Ayao Komatsu: Rafael Camara chosen for F1 2027 seat on speed, not Ferrari links
Formula 1
F1 Formula 1
Singapore GP
9 h
Ayao Komatsu: Rafael Camara chosen for F1 2027 seat on speed, not Ferrari links
Subscribe and access Motorsport.com with your ad-blocker.
From Formula 1 to MotoGP we report straight from the paddock because we love our sport, just like you. In order to keep delivering our expert journalism, our website uses advertising. Still, we want to give you the opportunity to enjoy an ad-free and tracker-free website and to continue using your adblocker.
You have 2 options:
- Become a subscriber.
- Disable your adblocker.
Subscribe now Already subscribed? Sign in here
Already disabled your adblocker?
Reload page
Manage Alerts
Subscribe