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Scheider in talks to bring BMW to World Rallycross

Two-time DTM champion Timo Scheider has confirmed he is in talks with BMW about a World Rallycross Championship entry.

Timo Scheider, MJP Racing Team Austria Ford Fiesta ST

Timo Scheider, MJP Racing Team Austria Ford Fiesta ST

FIA World Rallycross

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Timmy Hansen, Team Peugeot Hansen, Timo Scheider, MJP Racing Team Austria Ford Fiesta ST
BMW M235i R, BMW M4 DTM, Nico Menzel, Dirk Adorf, Marco Wittmann, BMW Team RMG, Antonio Felix da Costa, Tom Blomqvist, BMW Team RBM, Maxime Martin, BMW Team RBM, Jens Marquardt, BMW Motorsport Director, Martin Tomczyk, Bruno Spengler, BMW Team RBM, Augusto Farfus, BMW Team RMG, Timo Scheider, Timo Glock, BMW Team RMG, BMW M6 GT3 and BMW M4 GT4
Timo Scheider, MJP Racing Team Austria Ford Fiesta ST
Timo Scheider
Niclas Grönholm, Olsbergs MSE, Ford Fiesta, Kevin Eriksson, MJP Racing Team Austria, Ford Fiesta ST, Timo Scheider, MJP Racing Team Austria, Ford Fiesta ST
Timo Scheider, Audi Sport Team ABT, Mattias Ekstrom, Audi Sport Team ABT Sportsline
Timo Scheider, MJP Racing Team Austria Ford Fiesta

Having retired from the DTM at the end of 2016, Scheider has raced full-time in World RX in 2017 driving for the MJP Racing Team Austria squad, following selected appearances over the previous two years. He finished on the podium at the opening round in Barcelona this season. 

Asked about rumours of his talks with BMW, Scheider told Motorsport.com: “Sure, there are dreams and hopes, and there is for sure something positive behind that.

"I can’t say anything more but I can tell you that we’re in deep discussions.” 

The German driver says he will continue to race in World RX next season, but is yet to confirm for which team he will drive.

“Let’s see,” he said. “I try to make it happen for next year, it looks good for 2018 but I will also do some races with BMW somewhere else, so it will be a double programme, that’s the target we have.

"It looks good, so let’s wait a few more weeks and then we should know.” 

Scheider’s DTM retirement ended a 10-year relationship with Audi, the German driver then signing for BMW and racing in the Nurburgring 24 hours alongside his World RX campaign this year. 

The 2008 and 2009 DTM title holder has also acknowledged the lure to manufacturers of a potential electric rallycross category, that could be introduced to World RX as soon as 2020. 

“I think it’s no secret that we’re talking about that for the future," he said. "The future looks bright with electric rallycross. So far it sounds quite interesting what the manufacturers are talking about.

"Sure, as an old-school racing driver you like the petrol engines no question, but this is the future and we have to deal with it.

"When you look at how much manufacturers are involved in Formula E for example, then for sure the future of rallycross with electric cars can be a good future.” 

To date, the only BMWs raced in top-level World RX have been JRM Racing-run Mini RX Supercars, used in 2015 and 2016 by Guy Wilks, Liam Doran and Guerlain Chicherit among others.

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