Nurburgring 24H: BMW preview

The countdown has started for the Nurburgring 24-hour race.

Munich, 14th April 2010. Team BMW Motorsport is just one month away from one of the highlights of the season: the 24-hour race at the Nurburgring-Nordschleife (DE). On Wednesday a press conference in Cologne (DE) marked the official start of the countdown to this classic event. With 18 overall victories to its name so far, BMW is this year sending two BMW M3 GT2 race cars into the "Green Hell", charged with the task of writing another chapter in the brand's success story at this endurance race.

BMW Motorsport Director Mario Theissen says: "This race is very special. The Nordschleife is probably the most challenging circuit in the world. It cast a spell on me back in my youth. This made it all the more satisfying to win there many years down the line. The fans are fantastic and create a unique atmosphere. Only those who can cope with the changing conditions and avoid the pitfalls can be successful at this classic."

The experienced team, under the leadership of Team Manager, Charly Lamm, has already proven more than once in the past that it has what it takes to master these challenges. Lamm is looking forward to returning to the Eifel Mountains. "ADAC Nordrhein has established a true festival of motorsport at the Nurburgring," he says. "The race track is simply sensational, and the event is very popular with the fans. It is great to be involved again."

To date, no other manufacturer has made such an impression on the Nurburgring 24-hour race as BMW. The brand clinched 18 overall victories - eight of them one-twos. Team BMW Motorsport most recently claimed two triumphant one-twos in 2004 and 2005 with the BMW M3 GTR. In total, BMW cars have notched up 122 class victories in the 37 races held so far.

BMW can count on a strong team of drivers. Jorg Muller (DE), Augusto Farfus (BR), Uwe Alzen (DE) and Pedro Lamy (PT) will alternate at the wheel of the no. 25 BMW M3 GT2. The second GT sports car, with car number 26, will be driven by Dirk Werner (DE), Dirk Muller (DE), Andy Priaulx (GB) and Dirk Adorf (DE).

Team BMW Motorsport will complete its dress rehearsal for the 24-hour marathon on 24th April 2010, when it enters the third race of the VLN Endurance Championship. Farfus, Alzen and Lamy finished third to claim a place on the podium at the VLN season curtain-raiser at the end of March. The 24-hour race at the Nurburgring will get underway at 15:00hrs (CEST) on 15th May 2010.

-source: bmw